Mark Greene
When planning a romantic evening with someone special, it’s essential to pay attention to the smallest details. Fresh flowers, clean clothes, mouthwash – and wine. For oenophiles, the question arises of which wine to choose for a romantic evening. Read our guide on suitable wines to help you make the right decision.
A few tips
The first thing to do – and it may sound obvious – is to ask your guest’s preference. Some people prefer red to white and dislike rosé or sparkling wines regardless of the menu. Your romantic evening is much more likely to go well if your guest’s choices are considered. Don’t forget to chill white wine and ensure red wine is at room temperature before serving. You can find a selection of the best wines on this site.
Choose your wine according to the meal
Drinks, and particularly wines, are made to accompany meals. However, this does not mean that a bottle of wine cannot be enjoyed outside meals. Anyway, if you want to choose a wine to accompany your food, you have to think about the food you will serve.
White wines are usually recommended to accompany seafood, but you can also opt for sparkling wine. We recommend a fat and creamy white wine if you intend to eat poultry or white meat in a sauce. However, if you have planned beef, pork or lamb for dinner instead, you should preferably choose red wine. Red wines work well with vegetarian or vegan food, but a glass of white wine like Chardonnay can also be very successful.
Red wine: yes, but try and avoid overpowering tannins
So that the evening remains subtle and light and that everyone can keep control of their best profile, be careful in your choice of red wines from the south. Some Bordeaux, Languedoc, South-West or Rhône wines are sometimes quite structured and rich in alcohol. Unfortunately, they also have higher levels – and tannin can stain lips and teeth. You don’t want to risk a bluish smile at the highlight of your evening!
On the other hand, if you choose a lighter red wine, you don’t need to worry! Burgundy, Beaujolais, Loire and Alsace wines are excellent as an aperitif and go well with many appetizers. So whether you are planning an Indian takeaway or a sophisticated four-course feast, it will be flawless!
Rosé wine or champagne: tread carefully
Rosé wine is a super thirst-quenching wine to be enjoyed as it is or in the pool, with your feet in the sand under a parasol. We consume it without thinking too much about it, but it is often very forgettable. Is this really the impression you want to leave on your half or future half?
Serving champagne, on the other hand, indicates that you are keen to impress and are prepared to pull out all the stops! Of course, we never say no to fine bubbles, especially when they are chosen with taste. Nevertheless, for a casual date, it might be wise to leave for another occasion! The pressure is there and not just in the bottle! Another minor problem is that not everyone always digests the bubbles well, which can cause digestive issues you may prefer to keep discreet.
Drinking wine on a first date night or for any romantic evening has many advantages. It is delicious, sophisticated and is generally considered an elixir of love. Whether a Syrah, light prosecco or a rich Merlot, wine can set the mood for a romantic evening.
