Champagnes, Wines & More to Sip With Your Loved One(s)
Tony Bowles, “The New York Exclusive”
Valentine’s Day has a way of softening the edges of winter, inviting us to linger a little longer over candlelight, conversation, and a well-made drink.
This is the night when cocktails become part of the romance, less about rigid technique and more about mood, memory, and intention. A glossy coupe filled with something pink and effervescent, a dark spirit stirred until silken and warm, a flash of citrus catching the light at just the right moment.
These are not merely drinks but gestures, signals that the evening is meant to unfold slowly. Whether you are hosting an intimate dinner, planning a quiet night in, or raising a glass before heading out into the city, the right cocktail sets the tone and quietly promises that this is a night worth savoring.
Simon Porte Jacquemus and Veuve Clicquot unveil a collaboration rooted in joy & optimism. The iconic yellow of Veuve Clicquot — also Simon’s favorite color — plays a role both visually and symbolically as the color illuminates the bottle’s linen drape, like a ray of rising sun. At the heart of the collaboration is a shared homage to women: the story of Madame Clicquot, an exceptional woman who took the reins of the House in 1805 when women had few rights, captivated Simon, whose mother is his forever muse.
America’s favorite California champagne, Korbel Brut is refined, with a balanced, medium-dry finish. Enjoy lively aromas of citrus and cinnamon leading to crisp flavors of orange, lime, vanilla, and a hint of strawberry. Perfect for adding a bit of sparkle to your special night!
Celebrated for its iconic black bottle, Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut boasts a pale straw-yellow hue, fine bubbles, and fresh aromas of green apple and citrus. It offers a crisp, lively character with flavors of pear, peach, and a hint of almond.
Get into the Valentine’s Day spirit with this perfectly pink bubbly addition. With notes of fresh red fruit (especially cherry) and pink grapefruit, its beautifully lively and balanced for the ultimate glass! This rosé goes well through the entire meal, especially with pastries, fruit salads, and tarts.
For a lighter, flirty take on Valentine’s Day, The Pale Rosé Rosé (SRP: $17.99) brings instant charm. Fresh, bright, and effortlessly chic, this Provençal-style rosé offers lively fruit and refreshing lift without taking itself too seriously. Its pale pink hue and under-$20 price point make it perfect for Galentine’s gatherings, daytime dates, or a bubbly-adjacent alternative for those skipping traditional reds but still celebrating love.
Classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc aromas of lifted citrus, tropical fruit, and crushed herbs. A fresh, juicy wine with vibrant acidity and plenty of weight and length on the palate. Ripe, tropical fruit flavor with passion fruit, melon, and grapefruit.
Domaine Roc de l’Abbaye selected the Oisly vineyards, in the heart of France’s Touraine region, to ensure freshness and intense aromatics in this Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. The resulting wine is vibrant and fresh with white fruits, pear and apricot and finishes with trademark minerality and balanced acidity, a reflection of Saint-Satur’s Silex terroir. This dry white wine is perfectly paired with a warm afternoon!
Family-owned winery and leading example of authentic and sustainable winemaking in Sicily — launched Lighea 2023 with new label art, bottles from recycled glass and corks from plastic collected in coastal areas.
This aromatic Mediterranean white has a bright straw-yellow color with greenish hues, the nose is rich and fragrant with classic notes of orange blossom combined with citrus hints (cedar and bergamot) and exotic fruit (lychee). On the palate, the fruity and floral notes resurface accompanied by a marked freshness, with good persistence and a pleasant mineral finish.
Maison Louis Latour’s Ardèche Viognier
Viognier was originally cultivated in the northern Côtes-du-Rhône. In the last quarter of the 20th century, it has become one of the most popular varieties worldwide after having almost disappeared previously. In 2007, Maison Louis Latour decided to make a wine of 100% Viognier. Our Viognier is planted on more sloping hillsides than the Chardonnay. The wine is produced from hand-picked grapes carefully vinified in Latour’s Ardèche winery on the outskirts of the village of Alba-la-Romaine.
A tribute to the character of Napa Valley, Quilt exemplifies classic and decadent wines from the region. Bright, medium-bodied, and rich with smooth and generous layers.
Deep garnet in color with abundant aromas of dark chocolate, black cherry, and blackberry pie with hints of black currant and cedar. There are layered flavors of blackberry and raspberry pie filling on the palate, accompanied by notes of cinnamon, chocolate, and nutmeg. This wine is smooth and focused with refined tannins and a mouthwatering finish.
Böen by Belle Glos Reserve Pinot Noir 2024
Scarlet red in color, this Pinot Noir holds notes of ripe blackberry, boysenberry and tart cherry followed by subtle hints of tobacco and cocoa powder. Vibrant flavors of very ripe boysenberry, blueberry and plum pie are complemented by layers of rosemary and cocoa.
JUSTIN Vineyard & Winery’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from the same high-quality fruit as JUSTIN’s flagship red blend, ISOSCELES. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and complex, offering aromas of ripe black fruit, hints of sweet spice, and classic savory herbal notes, making it a perfect companion for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.
For a classic Valentine’s night in, the 2023 Lloyd Cellars Pinot Noir sets the mood. Sourced from California’s Central Coast, this elegant yet cozy Pinot delivers layers of vibrant red fruit, subtle earthiness, and a silky finish that feels made for lingering dinners and candlelight. Polished but never fussy, it pairs effortlessly with roast chicken, mushroom pasta, or anything shared across the table, making it an easy choice for a romantic evening that feels thoughtful, intimate, and personal.
Le Vigne, a family-run Paso Robles pioneer deeply rooted in Italian heritage, offers a beautifully expressive take on the classic southern Italian varietal. Their 2022 Estate Nero d’Avola (SRP: $42) delivers black cherry, ripe plum, dried strawberry, and subtle earthy spice, with bright acidity and a smooth, lingering finish — making it an elegant match for long dinners meant to unfold slowly.
Based in Lodi, CA, AVIVO Wines brings a modern yet soulful approach to winemaking, with a focus on regenerative organic farming and minimal intervention. The 2021 AVIVO Red Wine is a vibrant and expressive sangiovese varietal, featuring cranberry-rhubarb, strawberry coulis, and a fresh finish. It is a perfect Valentine’s pick that sets the mood for cozy nights and small plates.
Early Mountain Vineyards’ 2021 RISE
This exceptional red blend, featuring Merlot, Petit Verdot, Tannat, and Cabernet Franc from Early Mountain’s finest vineyards at Quaker Run, is made only in the best vintages for a wine that encompasses their thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking philosophy.
The 2021 RISE is a beautifully bold representation of Virginian wine, with a layered complexity and rich aromatics that will continue to develop elegantly with time.
When it’s time to settle in, the 2023 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon offers dark cherry, cassis, and warm baking spice that’s tailor-made for an afternoon of cookie baking when notes of cinnamon, gingerbread, and nutmeg drift through the kitchen and echo the Cabernet’s spice.
Herdade do Peso’s Parcelas Red 2019
Introduce complexity and story to your table with Herdade do Peso Parcelas Red 2019, a deep and expressive red crafted from the estate’s most treasured vineyard plots in Portugal’s Alentejo region. Under winemaker Luís Cabral de Almeida, this sustainable wine from the Sogrape family combines modern techniques with historic roots, aged 12 months in large French oak casks for fresh, layered flavors. Ideal for connoisseurs or as an elegant gift, it shines in festive settings and pairs beautifully with hearty holiday fare. With an SRP of $65.99, it’s a premium choice that captures timeless warmth and will be treasured across generations.
From Chamisal Vineyards on the SLO Coast, Edna Valley pioneers crafting cool-climate, ocean-influenced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a sustainability ethos. When it’s time to hit play, the 2023 Chamisal Vineyards SLO County Pinot Noir delivers bright red cherry, cranberry, and a flutter of baking spice with silky tannins and a cool-coastal lift — tailor-made for a cozy holiday movie night. Think popcorn with a drizzle of olive oil, mushroom flatbread, or a cheese-and-charcuterie spread; the Pinot’s juicy core and gentle spice echo those savory-salty bites and keep the glasses refilling through the closing credits.
Bold and elegant with notes of black cherry and fresh herbs, the perfect match for a holiday prime rib feast. Founded in 1988, Seven Hills is one of Walla Walla Valley’s founding estates, acclaimed for site-driven Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals that reflect the distinct terroir of the Pacific Northwest.
Sourced from the Eurnekian Family Wine Estates in Armenia’s Armavir region, this expressive red is crafted from indigenous Areni and Sireni grapes, hand-harvested in small 20kg boxes and double-sorted for quality. Each variety is fermented separately in traditional karas (Armenian amphorae) before being blended and aged for six months in a mix of Armenian and French oak barrels.
Rooted in over 6,200 years of winemaking tradition at the foot of Armenia’s Mount Ararat, one of the world’s oldest winegrowing regions, Karas crafts its wines sustainably in mineral-rich volcanic soils. The result? Bold yet elegant expressions that capture the soul of this ancient and dramatic terroir.
The 2021 Columbia Valley Claret is an inky deep garnet in the glass with a rich magenta rim. Powerful aromas of juicy black raspberry, fresh fig, ginger spice, and cigar wrapper lead to decadent flavors of bourbon cherries, violets, blackberry pie, and allspice. The full-bodied mouthfeel is unctuous with broad velvety tannins. Graphite and ripe berry reduction remain on the dense, textural, and persistent finish.
The Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2022 is just that — especially for Thanksgiving, where bold flavors and comforting dishes take center stage.
Crafted from hand-harvested grapes grown at 3,770 ft in Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, this thoughtful blend of predominantly Malbec and small amounts of Petit Verdot is aged for 13 months in French oak. The result is a beautifully balanced wine with aromas of blueberries, blackberries, floral notes, and a touch of licorice. On the palate, it’s intense yet gentle, with round tannins and an elegant, lingering finish.
