With the longest month of the entire year behind us, it’s time for us to look forward to the first celebration of 2025: Valentine’s Day. And where would we be on Valentine’s Day without a good wine to toast our loved one?

That said, who wants to go out at this time of year? Whether you’ve got kids to put to bed or simply don’t fancy venturing out in the February weather, we’ve chosen our top wine picks for Valentine’s Day at home. Here’s the wine that we’d recommend to show your love this February:

Wine for: a pre-dinner aperitif

Looking for something to enjoy before the main meal begins? Or perhaps once you’ve settled down to spend the evening together? Our top wine recommendation for an aperitif is the wonderful Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Second Skin NV.

Ruinart holds the title of the oldest established Champagne House, dating back to 1729, and this particular Champagne is made from the finest Grand Cru Chardonnay.

Nish Patel, owner of Shenfield Wine Co, holds a bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs in its white 'cloak'.

 

With a pale golden hue, it combines a floral palate with peaches and citrus. You’ll find white flower aromas and a notes of fresh ripe fruits. Serve in its wonderful white cloak for the best quality, and enjoy a glass or two of these beautiful bubbles to start your Valentine’s Day evening.

Wine for: steak

Moving on to the main Valentine’s Day meal and the wine to go with it: if you’re enjoying a night in this Valentine’s Day, what’s your go to meal of choice? For many a couple, it’s steak, and as such we’ve chosen a wonderful wine recommendation for Valentine’s Day to go with it.

For a steak Valentine’s Day dinner, we’d recommend Castello Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva. This is a deep red colour, which boasts hints of violet, liquorice and just a touch of a leather note. It’s incredibly silky smooth to drink, whilst also being enveloping and warm: perfect for those cold February nights when staying in is the new going out!

Nish Patel, owner of Shenfield Wine Co, holds a bottle of Chianti Classico towards the camera.

We’ve chosen this particular red wine because it will pair beautifully with steak, especially when grilled or pan-seared. It’s a wine with high acidity and firm tannins, both of which will cut through the richness of the beef. The notes of cherry, alongside the herbal, earthy flavours in the wine, will complement any savoury, smokiness of a well cooked steak.

With the many good quality, independent butchers in the Shenfield and wider Brentwood region, Castello Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is a really good option to pick up and enjoy with a steak dinner and a night in.

Wine for: seafood

Not a fan of either red wine or perhaps steak? What about a white wine paired with seafood? Domaine de la Genillotte Chablis is just what you need for this.

A great white wine, it’s aromatic and vibrant, packed full of flavour. Those flavours include notes of lemon, green apples and even peas, with ample stone fruit thrown in for good measure. It’s a clean white wine, with a mineral freshness, combined with a fuller, richer flavour.

Nish Patel, owner of Shenfield Wine Co, holds a bottle of Chablis towards the camera.

Domaine de la Genillotte Chablis is great as an aperitif before a special meal, but it also pairs beautifully with seafood: lobster, oysters, scallops and seafood which has been grilled or pan-fried.

And we all know what they say about Oysters and why they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day…!

Looking for wine recommendations for Valentine’s Day? Visit Shenfield Wine Co! 

Whether you’re having a Valentine’s Day in, or are looking for a special gift for the loved one in your life, we can help. Pop in store and let us recommend something for you based on the meal it’ll be accompanying , or your flavour profile.

We’ll happily recommend wine for Valentine’s Day to make your night really special!