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There are many ways to approach Valentine’s Day. Holiday escapes. Gifts. Special meals. Big nights out. But keeping it simple and paying attention to the little things is usually the best way to go. A carefully prepared dinner and a thoughtfully selected wine to complement it is a great start. Small things show you care about what the other person enjoys. Here are some wines from our selection to help make the moment special, along with some straightforward food pairing suggestions. We also have a have a selection of gifts where you can find something that will delight your loved one.
Rueda, Spain
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I love this organic Verdejo from Rueda in Spain. In a world dominated by Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, it has been quietly winning fans by offering something a little different. It is made by the Gutiérrez family, who have been producing wine in Rueda for five generations. It has aromas of aniseed, fennel, and stone fruit. The palate is fresh and focused, driven by crisp acidity and an intense, lingering finish.
Food match: Excellent on its own, but works well with seafoods like smoked salmon or pan-seared scallops with brown butter and capers.
Martinborough, New Zealand
Was €19.99 Now €12.99
Lovers of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc will enjoy discovering this excellent alternative from Te Kairanga in the Martinborough region. The area is ideally suited to cool-climate grape growing, producing wines that are crisp and have an exotic fruit character.
This Sauvignon Blanc bursts with fresh, fragrant herbs, nettle, and exotic fruit. While lively and aromatic, the palate also has texture and weight. This helps it pair well with richer dishes
Food match: The natural acidity will cut through the richness of a simple goat’s cheese salad or lemon chicken. For something more daring, the texture and exotic fruit will pair with the fragrance of a Thai green curry.
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The Pasqua family wine business began in 1925, and Romeo & Juliet Passimento Rosso is an ode to their love of Verona. The label features the famous graffiti found beneath the purported home of the star-crossed Juliet.
This rich red is made using the local Veneto Passimento method, where grapes are partially dried before fermentation. The result is a wine with silky texture, ripe berry character, deep cherry fruit flavours, and a gentle touch of spice.
Food match: The dried grape sweetness and cherry fruit pair well with rich tomato-based dishes like lasagne or ragù where the acidity in the sauce balances the wine's ripeness.
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Sometimes only a well-aged Bordeaux will do. It has a way of elevating a dinner into something truly special. Château Fourcas Hosten is owned by heirs of the Hermès family, who have spared no effort in improving both vineyard and winery. Each year, the quality rises, and the wine consistently outperforms many more expensive Bordeaux wines.
The 2017 vintage has aged well and has generous blackberry fruit, soft tannins, and an intense, fruit-driven finish.
Food match: The richness and complexity of this wine will pair well with a ribeye steak or pan-fried duck. The soft tannins won't overpower the meat.
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Spumante is the fully sparkling style of Prosecco, delivering plenty of fine bubbles. This wine shows ripe prickly pear and red grapefruit flavours, framed by a crisp, refreshing backbone of acidity. Soft orchard fruit sweetness is kept in check by that lively freshness, giving balance and lift.
Food match: The bubbles and sweetness work with spicy Thai food or as an aperitif
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Piper-Heidsieck was reportedly Marilyn Monroe's favourite Champagne. Of all occasions, Valentine’s Day is the one for Champagne and this lighter style will suit the evening. It shows notes of almond and hazelnut alongside lively bubbles and fresh flavours of pear and crisp red apple. The beautifully balanced finish is delicate and long, with a touch of citrus.
Food match: Champagne is brilliant with seafood, but one of my favourite high/low pairings is with fish and chips or even fried chicken.
BUY NOWWe hope that something here appeals to you, but if none of these wines pique your interest, you can browse the full range at O'Briens. You can also take the O'Briens Valentine's Day Gift Quiz to discover the perfect gift.
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Click & Collect Is Now Available
Say hello to Click & Collect! We’re rolling out to stores nationwide, making it easier than ever to get your favourite wines, beers and spirits online and pick them up in-store.
