As a bit of a self-confessed romantic, I’ve always believed it’s important to think about the greater experience when choosing something special for Valentine’s Day — and a beautifully crafted love potion is a vital part of that.
Here, we’ve picked out some romantic treats of the boozy persuasion, from the tried-and-tested winners — wine, champagne, and the like — to some rather more unexpected, but no less charming suggestions.
Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Passione e Sentimento Bianco 2019
How could you not go with a wine called Romeo & Juliet? It’s kind of like New Zealand sauvignon blanc and Burgundian chardonnay had a love affair when no one was watching, creating this buttery, tropical dream. Lashings of apricot, nectarine and mango on the nose combine with a rich, elegant, creamy palate. What’s cool about this is that once the grapes are picked, they are left in a drying loft to become more concentrated and flavorsome — kind of like your witty pick up lines once you finish the bottle, right?
£11.99, Direct Wine Shipments or Majestic
Maison Saint AIX Rose
Cooking a nice meal or having some cute snacks to celebrate? Look no further than AIX. This pink Provençal treat is perfect for olives, cheese and crackers, or just about any type of antipasti. From the land of lavender, it offers a plethora of peaches, fresh lemon rind, apricot and nectarine, which meet juicy red fruits, white jasmine and a kiss of apple. It looks as good as it tastes.
£14.75, Hennings Wine
Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend
A smooth drink for the smooth talker. Imagine taking a sip of velvety milk chocolate with a hint of raspberry — this is basically the wine form of that. With a texture that just glides across your tongue, this Californian dream is like a hug in a glass. A blend of Zinfandel and Syrah grapes creates the perfect love story; one that works with everything from a big romantic dinner to a cuddle on the sofa.
£11.49, The Bottle Club
Louis Roederer Cristal 2014
This is a brand new release from one of the world’s most iconic champagne houses (it hit the shelves last week). I recently had the honour of tasting it alongside chief winemaker Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon — a bit of a legend with a vibrant passion for his craft — and shared with him my slightly left-field food pairing: a spoonful of caviar with fried chicken. The fattiness and crispiness works so beautifully and, judging by the smile of his face, I dare say Jean-Baptiste agreed with me. Poultry-paired or otherwise, you can expect a super complex drink with apricot tart, citrus peel and glazed almonds; chalky and textured with ripe fruits and a savoury chord that strikes on the finish. If a bottle of Cristal is a bit hefty for your wallet, Louis Roederer has some excellent lower-price options, with its Brut Premier available for as little as £35.
£260, Finest Bubble
Mirabeau Rosé Gin
Years ago, husband and wife duo Jeany and Stephen Cronk left the UK with hopes of creating a stunning rosé in the heart of Provence — and goodness gracious me, did they succeed. You may well have already come across Mirabeau, sold across a range of retailers, but now they’re celebrating their gin as well. The spirit is, naturally, grape-based, and packed with botanicals such as bay leaf, thyme and rosemary. The end product is a beautifully textured serve, bursting with citrus, coriander, lemon rind, lavender and rose petals. Ideal for a G&T with a twist.
£32, The Gin To My Tonic
NIO Cocktails
How can you seem impressive without having to do much? One word: NIO. Delivered to your London home within one to two days, these pre-made cocktails taste as if they could have been concocted right there in front of you. With premium brands and expertise drawn from some of the world’s most awarded cocktail bars, there’s plenty to choose from, and even a decent selection of non-alcoholic options. And if you’ve forgotten to buy a present, a range of cute gift sets are on hand. All you need to do is bring is the ice.
From £19.50 for three cocktails, NIO Cocktails
Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
Let’s get something straight: Chambord isn’t just the thing you add to sparkling wine to make it look pretty. It’s so much more than that. Fantastic quality and friendly on the wallet, you can use Chambord in a French martini (pineapple juice is key), espresso martini, margarita or a Chapter 8. Basically, it’s a life-saver when it comes to crafting a last-minute serve with whatever you’ve got lying around the kitchen, and this particular variety — a medley of sumptuous black raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants is blended with XO Cognac, Madagascan vanilla, honey and Moroccan citrus peel — comes highly recommended.
£23.49, The Bottle Club
Copalli Cacao Rum
I’ve always thought hot chocolates were romantic — walking in the park holding hands and all that jazz — and now Copalli has delivered a cacao rum, allowing you to make a boujee, boozy version from the comfort of your own home. Just combine hot milk (or boiling water) with 35g of cacao powder, and pour it into a tall latte glass, filling the liquid to just above halfway. Pop in 15ml of vanilla extract and 30ml of the rum, stir, top with single cream, garnish with a little cacao powder, and enjoy.
£25.80, Distoo
