Wine Night is for Lovers

Wine suggestions and curated lists can almost be exhausting. One, the world of wine is almost as infinite as the idea of love itself — so many options, so much complexity, how do you discover what you really like, where do we all begin? Two, any curated wine list is often subject to the region and offerings available. What you’re able to buy and experience is often limited by the distribution and region around you.

Thus, enters this list.

These are my suggestions, places to start, of wine to enjoy at home with the one you love. This list includes some of my all-time favorites — at price points to splurge on, some that are reasonable, and some that are excellent on a budget. This list was formulated with the premise that each wine included should be reasonably easy to find at stores local to you within the United States. If not, options are available to order directly from manufacturers online.

Hopefully, some of these wines make you feel known and like you know what you’re talking about to others around you.

Billecart-Salmon Champagne Le Rosé (priced around $80-$120) and
Château d’Armailhac, Bordeaux - Pauillac (priced around $60-$90)

Given my current stage of life and historical preferences, these are the go-to wines I’d enjoy for a date night now.

I’d start the evening with Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé. This is hands down my favorite rosé, and I celebrate any occasion to open one. Consequently, this expression is pretty well known, but known to the right people. You won’t see this champagne in any Super Bowl commercials or music videos, but you will see it in the classrooms and hands of sommeliers worldwide as the industry’s reference point of how rosé champagne should be represented.

I can recall the sensation of this champagne every time — crisp, vibrant red strawberries immediately greet your palate, followed by a subtle creamy nuance with delicate citrus zest notes that kiss complexity. This wine is remarkable to enjoy and memorable for any wine-drinker at any stage in life.

I would always begin the date night with champagne (and possibly end it with some, too). Why? Because champagne sets the standard. Champagne is fun. DATES ARE FUN! And nothing is more fun than ushering in smiles and laughter into a room like the sound of that first cork pop.

Also, women love it because it’s simply pink, too.

Imperially, champagne also readies your palate to enjoy the evening preparations. Subtle acidity and effervescence cleanse the roof of your mouth and reset your taste buds from the day. It creates a clean, refreshing mouthfeel, and after a sip or two, it contributes inner peace and helps activate the senses to appreciate the complexity of food you’re about to enjoy.

While Bellicart-Salmon sets the tone, this Pauillac Bordeaux sets a precedent. After that first cork pop and a couple of sips of champagne, subliminally decanting this old-world wine shows your partner several things. One being confidence. Even if you’ve never had Chateau d’Armailhac, opening a bottle and placing it in a decanter shows that you know what you’re talking about. Two, it signals resources, and three, that you’re here to stay a while. Decanting any bottle before dinner shows your guest that you have the luxury of time to spend and are invested in spending that time with them.

As for the wine specifically, Château d’Armailhac is a personal favorite of mine and has been for many years. Whether new to wine or seasoned, it’s a medium-bodied wine that anyone can enjoy. Primarily, to me, this wine expresses craftsmanship at its root and is a masterclass in winemaking. It’s the perfect balance of silky with appropriate fruit, tannin, and spice. It will continue to envelop and showcase different sides of itself (flavor), hopefully, like your date will, throughout the evening.

Overall, I’d make sure to pair the Bellicart-Salmon with a few bites to start. Cheese, crackers, prosciutto, some fruit, and maybe freshly made whipped cream or a cream cheese spread. Hunger can crucify peace of mind and rush the evening unintentionally. So, make sure there are small bites available from the start to enjoy conversation and the expression of this beautiful champagne without being hurried.

For dinner, I’d unequivocally make filet of beef or a beef wellington. Like this Paulliac, there is beauty in nuance and restraint. I’d let the quality of beef speak, and not add excessive fat. I’d pair it with fresh herbs and spices, the earthiness of mushrooms, and an accent of pastry would work very nicely.

For dessert, I’d have options. Instead of a lot of one thing, I’d have a few bites of several different things. With these pairings, I’d prepare something cream-based. Small creme brûlées, a fruit tart, or something with meringue. Balance the meal and wines out with something that’s refreshing, soothing, and just the right amount of sweet. You want the night to be just enough, and not too much.

Finish the Bellicart after dinner with dessert, or better yet, the next morning. No judgment here, friends!

Both Billecart-Salmon Champagne Le Rosé and Château d’Armailhac are available online at Millesima Fine Wine.

De Saint-Gall Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne (priced around $45-$55) and
Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County (priced around $35-$40)

Keeping within the same motif, these are alternative options that deliver similar value at a more moderate price point. Wine is always better with food, but I’ve made these selections to lend themselves without it, just in case you’re sharing a glass or two before heading out to dinner or somewhere else.

This is tremendous value champagne that will deliver way more flavor and a better experience than the brand names you’re used to seeing (and are around 1.5x the price).

This is an incredible medium-bodied wine at an exceptional value. It carries the best of new-world prestige and punches above its weight class. This Sonoma County treasure will wow newcomers to wine while being exquisite to those who enjoy it often.

My favorite single-vineyards from Ridge are Lytton Springs and Geyserville. Each is around $50-$60 if you have the extra money to spend.

Also, if this wine is a hit, these single-vineyards from Ridge provide an excellent excuse to follow up with another date. You can plan consecutive date nights to taste and compare profiles from their different single-vineyard offerings.

No matter whose place you’re meeting at or where the night ends, always make sure there is a little snack to accompany the wine. Though it may not be necessary, it can be beneficial. It’s always better to be prepared, and it’s just a downright thoughtful, considerate, and adult thing to do. Enjoying wine should always add to our lives and is never appropriate on an empty stomach.

De Saint-Gall is available at Total Wine & More and Three Valleys from Ridge directly and at Millesima Fine Wine.

Taittinger Comtes Blanc De Blancs Vintage Champagne (priced around $230-$300 + Depending on vintage) and
Château Calon-Ségur (priced around $160-$230 + depending on vintage)

Listen, you’re never going to go wrong by investing in champagne. I think champagne is the one wine that, no matter how complex, meets any person where they’re at. The finest champagne can widen the eyes of even the most simple palate, and when the occasion is right, it is always worth opening.

For the most exquisite date nights, I’d open Comtes and Château Calon-Ségur.

Taittinger Comtes Blanc De Blancs and Château Calon-Ségur are both available at Millesima Fine Wine.

William Hill California Chardonnay (priced around $10-$16)
Starborough Sauvignon Blanc (priced around $10-$12)
Franciscan Cabernet (priced around $11-$15)
Predator Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi (priced around $12-$15)

Don’t let price intimidate you; these are great wines that I drink, and you should be able to find them at most grocery stores.

Let’s say you don’t care for wine, but your date does. Or let’s just assume none of these suggestions work for you. My best alternative would always be to grab any bottle of sparkling wine and dress it up with freshly squeezed fruit juice and fresh fruit garnishes.

Popping the cork on a cheap bottle of sparkling wine delivers the same amount of social value and fun as popping one on a vintage bottle of champagne. It helps alleviate any nerves, great or small, and is fun for anyone to taste, even if they don’t drink. You can add just a splash of sparkling wine to any fruit juice or just a splash of juice to any amount of wine. Regardless, this level of detail and preparedness on your end can take the most ordinary situation and make it complete class.