2 Wine Pros Choose Their Favourite Bottles For Valentine's Day
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2 Wine Pros Choose Their Favourite Bottles For Valentine's Day

Frederic Grappe is the founder of Dynamic Vines, the UK’s leading importer of premium biodynamic and organic wines – which recently opened a great wine bar and shop in East Dulwich. Hannah Crosbie is the Guardian's new wine critic and a Sunday Brunch regular. Here, they pick some of their favourite bottles for Valentine’s Day.

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

FREDERIC GRAPPE

SPARKLING

Cru Mari ‘Vermell’, £49

Sicus 2013

This sparkling rosé is from a single vineyard called La Masia that produces at high altitude in Catalonia, Spain with strong maritime influences. Sexy, bright and with delicate bubbles, it’s a light rosé from hand-harvested grapes with ten years on the lees before disgorgement. Perfect to enjoy on its own to start the evening and with fish or shellfish. 

Available here

WHITES

VDF ‘Coeur Vaillant’, £43

Caroline Bain 2020

Translating as 'Brave Heart', this is for all those who are feeling a little courageous this Valentine’s Day. Rich, pure, complex and with mineral notes from limestone soils, this textured wine from producer Caroline Bain in the Loire Valley offers a little slice of heaven. Best paired with a rich cheese tart or poached fish with classic sauce.

Available here

Côtes-Du-Rhône ‘Bloom’, £25

Rémi Pouizin x Vin des Potes 2021

For an extra touch of luxury, this exceptional white wine represents an authentic sense of place from L`Enclave des Papes at Visan in France. Aromatic, outgoing and charming, it’s the ideal accompaniment for an Asian-style dinner or some cold cuts and cheese. 

Available here

Blaye Côtes De Bordeaux, £23

Matthieu Cosse

This is a blend of sauvignon and muscadelle grapes, perfect for a fruity night in. The goal of the winemakers is to showcase the gluttonous character of the grapes grown in Bordeaux soils, often lacking in other wines produced in the region. Best paired with asparagus spears or a flat fish with creamy sauce or – if you're feeling lazy – a charcuterie board.

Available here

REDS

IGP ‘Terres Burgondes’ Pinot Noir, £40

Emmanuel Giboulot 2022

Producer Emmanuel Giboulot goes for a ‘less is more’ approach with his pure, precise and elegant Burgundian wines. Anyone searching for the perfect red, a bottle of his 2022 works in harmony with grilled meat or something hearty like a beef bourguignon.

Available here

IGP Pella ‘Bucephale’, Xinomavro 2019, £48

Ktima Ligas

This intense, savoury wine is a deep expression of Xinomavro. For the adventurous drinker, it’s considered a more ’serious red’ with high tannins and good structure from long ageing. It’s an ideal match for a rich tomato sauce with pasta, capers and cioppino to warm you through in the cold weather. 

Available here

ORANGE

VDF ‘L'Orange’, £25

Domaine de Courbissac

Bring a clean, elegant freshness to your Valentine’s Day celebration with L’Orange. It’s a very classy affair with this bottle. Grown in high temperatures, winemaker Brunnhilde Claux’s orange wines have a fresh and floral aroma which balances perfectly against the more savoury elements of orange wine. Pairs well with olives, light salads or a selection of cheeses.

Available here

Dynamic Vines, 149 Lordship Lane, Dulwich, SE22 8HX

Visit DynamicVines.com

HANNAH CROSBIE

SPARKLING

Blanc de Meunier, £69

Chavost

Special occasions always call for champagne – and people are starting to cotton on that you can get decent champagne outside of the big houses and brands. Everyone seems to be going a bit nutty for Champagne Chavost at the moment – its bottles pop up in cool wine bars from Copenhagen to New York. This wine is made from pinot meunier, the unsung hero grape in a champagne blend that’s edging ever closer to the spotlight. This wine shows its strengths: weight, texture and aromatics.

Available here

Billecart Salmon Rosé Champagne NV in Gift Box, £75

Fortnum & Mason

If you’re after a reliable grande marque, you truly can’t go wrong with Billecart Salmon: my favourite is the rosé. It’s energetic yet not overly fruity like some other rosé champagnes are – it’s poised and elegant.

Available here

Brut Rosé, £15

Graham Beck

If you’re on more of a budget, Graham Beck’s sparkling wines punch well above their price point, with both a rosé and a white sparkling ready to be picked up at any Majestic.

Available here

Piggy Pop Pét-Nat Rosé, £24

Wildman Wine

Looking for something a little funkier? The Piggy Pop rosé is a pét-nat bursting with red fruit flavours and a real gastronomic versatility.

Available here

WHITES

Classic Pinot Blanc, £16.90

Famille Hugel

A delightful and bright pinot blanc, balanced by a real weight and minerality. This is a good gateway drug into delicious Alsace wine.

Available here

Gemischter Satz, £8.75

Familie Mantler

I can’t get enough of aromatic white wines at the moment. This absolute steal of a bottle is from Austria, with a peach-laden nose and a vibrant palate.

Available here

REDS

Tom's Block Pinot Noir, £22.99 (was £27.99)

Neudorf

This wine is a truly special pinot noir, currently on offer at Waitrose. Expect aromatic notes of dark cherry and spice, with a gorgeous light body.

Available here

Cotes Du Rhone Villages, £9

Tesco Finest Signargues

This is a rich, intense wine from Tesco’s Finest range. This is a meatier wine, perfect for pairing with red meats or earthy vegetables, if you’re going veggie.

Available here

Hannah Crosbie’s debut book Corker is published by Ebury. Follow Hannah for more wine recommendations here.

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

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