To drink… on Valentine’s Day

Red, the color of Valentine’s Day, is also the color of wine that goes best with dark chocolate. As for white chocolate, it goes very well with another color of the feast of love: pink. Here are some suggestions to enjoy with the one you love.

long promise

With firm tannins, notes of black fruits and an astonishing persistence, this Tuscan red will be the star of the evening, served with flank steak or duck breast topped with chocolate sauce. However, it will be even better in 10 years. Why not seize the opportunity and offer it by promising to open it together in 2033? The Ca’marcanda estate is owned by the Gaja family. The man nicknamed “the king of Barbaresco”, Angelo Gaja, left his native Piedmont in the 1990s and planted further south, near the sea, in Bolgheri. His Promis cuvée is a blend of Syrah, Merlot and Sangiovese. The sun of Tuscany, the freshness of the sea and the know-how of Gaja, everything comes together.

Promised Ca’marcanda 2020, $62.25 (14406503), 13.5%

Break the routine

A nice label doesn’t mean the wine will be good, but the look and name of this Argentinian wine is sure to fuel discussion. Hippie Love is made from the El País grape variety. This variety of grape would have been brought from Spain to South America by the conquistadors in the 15th^e century. It is also found in Mexico, Chile and Argentina and depending on the region where it is harvested, this variety has different names. In this bottle, El país is vinified by Ernesto Catena, son of the well-known Argentinian producer Nicola Catena. Unlike his father, who made it his mission to produce high-end Malbecs, Ernesto enjoys vinifying different grape varieties in different regions of Argentina. Beneath this wine’s translucent robe, aromas of raspberries, wildflowers and sweet spices fill the glass. The juicy attack goes wonderfully with a Chinese fondue.

Hippie Love Tinto 2020, $22.75 (14917899), 13%, organic

Master key

This rosé sparkling wine allows you to play the big game, without losing your shirt. Developed in Catalonia by the Raventos estate, it brings together local grape varieties (xarello, parellada, macabeo and monastrell), while drawing inspiration from the ways of making a great champagne. After aging on lees for 18 months, the bubbles melt into a fruity, floral and subtly saline mouthfeel. In addition to being delicious, this bottle has several assets. First of all, it is very versatile: it will go well with salmon starters, a sushi dish and even fruit salad for dessert served with a white chocolate and raspberry tart. Then, it stands out for its producer’s commitment to protecting the environment. And finally, under the $30 mark, it’s a good move!

Raventos i Blanc De Nit Conca del Riu Anoia 2020, $28.75 (12097954)