The perfect pairing this Valentine’s Day
Red wine and be mine
There’s something special about sharing a meal with someone you love. Long before gifts or grand gestures entered the picture, we have always gathered around tables to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. Food invites us to slow down, to savour, and to connect with one another, and on Valentine’s Day romantic dining is about more than just what’s on the menu.
It’s about the clink of glasses, the warmth of candlelight, the way flavours unfold and stay with you long after the last bite. So in honour of the day of love, here are some pairings designed to be shared and remembered long after the candles burn low.
RED WINE
Red wine has a way of setting the tone for passion before a single word is spoken. Its deep, velvety colour, gentle warmth and inviting aromas create an instant sense of intimacy. Shared across a candlelit table, a glass of red wine becomes more than just a drink, it becomes part of the moment, encouraging you to enjoy each sip and truly be present with the one you love.
RED MEAT
Ideal for a Valentine’s Day main course, red meat and red wine are a classic pairing because they naturally complement each other’s richness and intensity. The bold structure of red wine balances the savoury depth of meat, while the meat itself softens the wine’s tannins, the compounds that give wine structure and a gentle drying sensation, allowing its fruit and spice notes to stand out. Fat and protein in meat soften those tannins, allowing the wine’s fruit and spice notes to shine. Together, they create a fuller, more rounded flavour experience, where each bite and sip enhances the next, making the pairing feel satisfying, indulgent and perfectly suited to a romantic evening.
CHOCOLATE
Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be the same without the excuse to indulge in everyone’s favourite sweet treat, and it’s also an excellent pairing for a good bottle of wine. Red wine and chocolate pair beautifully because they share the same sense of depth and intensity. The natural bitterness of dark chocolate highlights the ripe fruit notes in the wine, while the wine’s warmth and gentle spice soften the richness of the cocoa. Each brings out something new in the other. The chocolate feels smoother and the wine tastes fuller, creating a pairing that feels indulgent, balanced and romantic.
ALTO STELLENBOSCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020
A beautiful choice for a romantic dinner any time of year, because who says we can only be romantic on February 14th? Alto’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 naturally echoes both the richness of red meat and the depth of dark chocolate.
Its notes of cassis, dark plum and black cherry bring a gentle sweetness that complements chocolate, while hints of cinnamon spice, smoky minerality and graphite add a savoury edge that feels right at home alongside a perfectly cooked steak or lamb dish. The silky texture and firm tannin structure give the wine presence without overpowering the food, allowing each bite and sip to enhance the next.
It’s a wine that feels confident, romantic and indulgent, exactly what a candlelit table deserves.
This is why we dine when we celebrate love. Because food has the power to hold emotion. Flavour becomes memory, and a glass of wine becomes a shared moment that lasts a lifetime.