10 of the Best Champagnes and Proseccos for Valentine’s DayIf you need a few bottles for the Cupid’s big day, this is a good case buy. It’s solid and cheap, with a good balance of fruit to bubbles.

Pancake Day: The Perfect Wine Pairings for Your Favourite Pancake ToppingsCheese and HamFor those with a penchant for savoury crepes, cheese and ham is a logical starting point – and a classic combination. Patrick Schmitt MW says of the topping:If you’re going the savoury route, and stuffing your pancake with cheese and ham, I suggest a rich white wine, the most obvious being a classic barrel-aged Chardonnay from a warm climate. Such a wine style won’t be overpowered by the flavours in the food, while the dry, bright finish of well-made Chardonnay will refresh the mouth after all that mouth-coating cheese.With the current trend in Chardonnay-making in Australia favouring a leaner style of white wine, I suggest going to California for something with the richness that made this grape so popular in the first place. In this year’s Global Chardonnay Masters, I tasted an ideal option in Cambria’s Katherine’s Chardonnay from California’s Santa Maria Valley. I blind-tasted the 2018 vintage, which, along with my fellow Master of Wine judges, I gave a Gold-medal-winning score for its combination of peach and pear fruit, as well as notes of toast and caramel, and gently oily palate texture. And, retailing in the UK for around £25, it’s surprisingly affordable for powerful barrel-aged Californian Chardonnay with class.

WINE! It’s National Drink Wine Day!From the Santa Maria Valley, Cambria’s sustainably farmed Tepesquet Vineyard sits nestled on the Santa Maria Bench where Pinot Noir fruit was first planted in 1971 in soils filled with shale, limestone, and sand. With a long growing season filled with very warm days and cool nights, delicate fruit maintains freshness, as shown in Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir while revealing ripe fruit notes of blackberry, cherry, and cranberry melding with sweet baking spice and a hint of wild herb.

Winter WhitesStimulus spend-worthy winesIf a wine could taste like slipping on a classic little black dress, this golden wine would be the perfect fit. It has remained the cream of the crop of Chardonnay’s for over 25 years, and this year, especially, it’s best enjoyed with a favorite companion during an indoor picnic. Behind the making of this wine, whole grape clusters were pressed to retain the fresh fruit qualities and the fruit was sur lie aged with monthly battonage (lees stirring) to create a Kendall-Jackson signature velvety texture and creamy flavor.Its silky texture delivers powerful and seductive tropical notes of pineapple, mango and papaya and aromas of vanilla, honey and toasted oak. If this wine were a celebrity, it would be Meryl Streep, simply due to its versatility to act as a lovely accompaniment to winter squash, creamy pasta dishes and pork loin.

Planted in 1988 (originally for sparkling production), the Wombat Creek vineyard is located on north-east-facing slopes. Rising to 410m elevation, the 16ha vineyard lays claim to being the Yarra Valley’s highest. This Chardonnay (clone I10V1) is planted in classic Upper Yarra red/ferrous volcanic loam. The vines behave very differently in this soil, said Flamsteed, producing much larger canopies than the Sexton vineyard; the roots drop deeper (you could dig 2 to 3 metres with a shovel, said the winemaker). According to the fiche, the soils produce “distinctively soft yet long wines.” Being deep and moisture retentive, I suspect they contribute to the long hang times. But I imagine that elevation is a major factor too? Whilst the Sexton vineyard (perhaps 50 minutes away) is typically picked in mid-February, Flamsteed said Wombat Creek is picked 4-5 weeks later, because it is so much higher. I think of long hang times as producing softer wines with finer, seamless acidity (so less overt/punchy drive). With longer hang times, the fruit profile is different too – stone fruits, not the citrus of the Sexton site (although Flamsteed sees more citrus in this wine, with poached pear with bottle age). Thanks to the different (finer) acid structure, Wombat Creek delivers its softer stone fruit in ‘slo mo,’ elegant fashion. No hurry here. And plenty of layers to unfurl, with nectarine, honeysuckle, apple pie, acacia and almond paste. The finish is long, textural, ever so subtly nutty and floral, with a hum of acidity.

Phil Sexton planted his eponymous 30ha vineyard in 1997 with cuttings from Leeuwin Estate (where Flamsteed used to work). It is located between 130 – 210 metres on a steep, exposed north-east-facing slope of the Warramate Ranges. The soil is grey clay loam over shallow granite/ironstone. Flamsteed described this chunky, compressed 450 million years old eroded clay with its thin topsoil as ‘hungry.’ It has water-holding capacity, he added, but also good drainage. Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with a high skin to juice ratio. With ‘hen and chicken,’ the Leeuwin Gin Gin clone cuttings play into that too. With not a lot of juice and phenolic input on pressing, Flamsteed finds lemon curd notes are quite typical for this wine. I certainly found it citrus-driven – zesty, relatively punchy, with mouth-watering lime, together with lime blossom and green almond to nose and palate. The citrus flavours have lovely drive, clarity and (fresh grated zest) perfume. Subtle hints of savoury lees bring mouthfeel, balancing the acidity. Persistent finish, with slate undertones. Very good.

Best Wines to Pair with Valentine’s Day ChocolateCabernet Sauvignon with Non-Sweet Dark Chocolate & Cherry Infused Dark ChocolateFeaturing dark fruit flavors, Kendall-Jackson’s 2017 Jackson Estate Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon combined with the bitterness from the cacao accentuates the wine’s tannins creates a match made in heaven.

Best Wines to Pair with Valentine’s Day ChocolatePinot Noir with Chocolate CaramelButtery and rich, chocolate caramel pairs well with light-to-medium bodied wines like Kendall-Jackson’s 2017 Jackson Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir creating a harmonious blend of the creamy texture of the caramel and the silky tannins of the wine.

Best Wines to Pair with Valentine’s Day ChocolateRosé with Dark ChocolateBlush-style wines are a classic Valentine’s Day choice. Balance the vibrant fruit flavors of Kendall-Jackson’s 2019 Vintner’s Reserve California Rosé with a more bitter option, like dark chocolate.

Best Wines to Pair with Valentine’s Day ChocolateWhite Chocolate with ChardonnayWith notes of creamy vanilla, honey and hints of toasted oak, sweet white chocolate pairs well with mildly buttery California Chardonnays like America’s #1 selling Chardonnay, Kendall-Jackson’s 2019 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay.

Wines to Ward off Winter's ChillWhile red wines are the typical suggestion for the colder months, America’s #1 selling Chardonnay for 26 years and counting is the perfect full-bodied white wine to keep you warm on a chilly winter night with tropical notes of pineapple, mango and papaya, and aromas of vanilla, honey, and toasted oak. Known as the Meryl Streep of wine, Chardonnay is the most versatile grape and is an ideal accompaniment to winter produce like squash, creamy pasta dishes and pork loin.

Save Your Valentine’s Day With These Widely Available Rosés For Under $25The Wine:Here’s another stunner from Monterey. This wine is made of 100 percent pinot noir that is fermented in stainless steel tanks and displays a ton of fruit.Tasting Notes:This wine smells of strawberry, golden and white raspberries, and a spray of mandarin juice. The taste evolves into a dynamic, juicy melody of cranberry, red raspberries, and blood orange. The palate is booming with minerality—a nod to the flinty soil the grapes are grown on—but the finish is delicate and mouthwatering with acidity.Bottom Line:If you’re thirsty, this rosé is the fruit-forward quencher of your dreams.

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Guide To Celebrate All Things Love In 2021Fresh, fruit-forward wines are the perfect pairing for this Valentines (or Galentine’s) Day — sip on a grapefruit and strawberry forward rosé like Kendall-Jackson’s 2018 Vintner’s Reserve Rosé and pair it with your favorite charcuterie plate combination.

Sparkling Wine a Perfect Pick for Valentine's DayWhich makes the Gran Moraine Brut Rose a versatile wine for Valentine’s Day. It has a pretty, light pink color, festive bubbles and subtle cherry, Meyer lemon and apricot flavors, and is the first wine or wine-inspired gift that could take the place of roses on Feb. 14.

Getting Fresh On Valentine’s DayVery light, delicate shell pink color. Clean, light and elegant with floral tones. Slightly creamy, generous mouthfeel. Makes its point of view more through texture than fruit. Nice showing from a lesser-known sub-area within the Willamette Valley.

7 Perfect Wine and Chocolate Pairings for This Valentine's DayAnd last of the Kendall-Jackson recommendations is the Jackson Estate Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. Priced at $65, this wine can be ordered online or purchased in person at the winery. We'll drink a glass of this with our rib-eye steak and then pair it with chocolate to cap off the evening. It features dark fruit flavors of cherry, cassis and red currant. Elegantly muscular with soft, chewy tannins, this wine pairs well with non-sweet dark chocolate and cherry-infused dark chocolate. The bitterness from the cacao accentuates the wine's tannins, creating a match made in heaven.

7 Perfect Wine and Chocolate Pairings for This Valentine's DayKendall-Jackson's Jacskon Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2017, priced at $40, is one of the top choices for Valentine's Day. Purchase online or in-person at the winery, or some higher-end wine shops may carry this Pinot.The creamy texture of the wine’s caramel flavors and silky tannins pair harmoniously with rich chocolate caramel. 3D Candies, a family-owned operation right here in my hometown of Sacramento, makes the perfect chocolate covered caramel candy for this occasion.

7 Perfect Wine and Chocolate Pairings for This Valentine's DayAnother favorite for Valentine's Day, not just because of its pretty pale pink color, is the Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Rosé. Priced at $17, this one is also found easily at many stores.Aromas of hibiscus, apricot, and fresh cut watermelon meet notes of crisp grapefruit and hibiscus. Normally I would pair this lovely wine with a charcuterie board to be enjoyed on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But for Valentine’s Day, we’re pairing it with raspberry-infused dark chocolates from See’s Candies and Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates. Dark chocolate with hazelnut is another good option.

7 Perfect Wine and Chocolate Pairings for This Valentine's DayIf your lover prefers white wine, I recommend the Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay. Priced at $17 or less per bottle, this chardonnay offers a good value while delivering a traditional California styled chardonnay. Plus, it's easy to find at your grocery store or wine shop.With notes of creamy vanilla, honey, and hints of toasted oak, sweet white chocolate pairs well with the flavors of this mildly buttery white wine. These divinity puffs from See’s Candies work perfectly for this pairing.

30 Wonderful Winter SparklersWinemaker’s Notes: Aromas of Asian pear, honeysuckle, dragon fruit, rose petal, brioche, wild strawberry. Flavors of tangerine, kumquat, nectarine. Great balance and acidity, vibrant and exceptionally clean all the way through the finish, phenomenally precise.

Forget Champagne: 11 Superb New Sparkling Wines From Oregon—Yes, Oregon—to Toast Your ValentineThis vibrant, pale rosé sparkler from Gran Moraine has straight-arrow focus. Rose petal, delicate red berry, orange peel and baked quince aromas—with just a touch of toast—give way to a range of citrus, from pink grapefruit to lime zest, layered with white stone fruit lingering on a refreshingly dry finish.

Chilled wine, warm hearts on Valentine's DayLooking to splurge on a romantic red? You could do far worse than the La Crema 2018 Pinot Noir. There’s plenty of black cherry, earth, cola, herbal and plum aromas that jump out of the glass, with hints of spice from oak aging.It’s dry and light-plus bodied, with cherry and raspberry flavours front and centre, some underlying white pepper and spice, hints of earth and cola and a long, mildly tannic and somewhat warm finish (it’s 13.5 per cent alcohol). It will easily appeal to both budding and diehard Pinot fans, and would work with anything from pork tenderloin to tuna to pizza. 4.5/5

With a long growing season thanks to the influence of the Pacific Ocean on the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Chardonnay fruit can often be harvested weeks after red wines of the region are picked. Fruit ripens slowly, giving a subtle, delicate undertone to concentrated, textured fruit. Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay shines with lemon-lime citrus and lychee notes, melding with soft herbs, blanched almond, and a touch of crushed stone minerality giving the wine an earthy finish with ethereal elegance. An incredible wine for the price.

Family-owned Cambria Estate showcases cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir produced with passion, approachability, and character. Sustainably-farmed, ensuring the true character of the fruit shines through, Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay is fresh, and floral, showing notes of lemon blossom, honeysuckle, and lime leaf, melding with tangerine and Asian pear.

So many good things going on in this wine, it makes me want to drink more Cabernet from McLaren Vale. Classic cassis, fresh blackberry, and cedar notes on a taut, medium-bodied frame. I sampled with Coravin so I can save for another year. (Won’t happen.)