Dabl at Home
Affordable Wine Options to Pair with Your Valentine’s Day Eats
This Valentine’s Day know exactly what wine to get and enjoy all our great recommendations for less than $15 a bottle.
Updated By: Catie Kovelman, 01/25/2022
Have you ever thought of celebrating Valentine’s Day at home? Rather than scrambling for a popular dining reservation for Valentine’s Day and sharing a meal in a loud, crowded restaurant, you could share an intimate evening with the person you love in the comfort of your own home. All you need is your significant other and the perfect glass of wine to set the mood! Even if you are currently single, you could host a Galentine’s Day party or gather with your close friends to share a glass of wine and celebrate the platonic love you feel for the people in your life.
But for those who aren’t wine aficionados, you may feel lost when trying to pick out a bottle. We’ll keep it simple for you this Valentine’s Day, and let you in on a secret: Higher prices don’t necessarily mean better when it comes to wine! We’ve picked out some of the best wine and food pairings so you can indulge accordingly. Even better, they’re all less than $15 a bottle. Considering the average corkage fee ranges from $10 to $40 in addition to the price of your meal, you can’t deny that enjoying an intimate holiday at home is a better deal than celebrating at a restaurant.
If you’re having steak...
Red wine works best with proteins like steak. Do you prefer your steak more rare? If so, try a young Syrah (FYI this is also known as a Shiraz - both are made from the same grapes). The more well-done your steak, the more you’ll want a sweeter red, like a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Drink this with your rarer steak ($10 at Vivino):
Drink this with your well-done steak ($10 at Drizly):
If you’re having white fish...
An easy way to remember this one: white fish goes with white wine. Flakier, whiter fish, like flounder or tilapia, will go well with a light white wine, like a Pinot Grigio.
Drink this with your white fish ($10 at Total Wine):
If you’re having pasta...
Do as the Italians do and enjoy your pasta with some wine. Which wine though, depends on your sauce. While a cheese sauce pairs well with most wines, a red-sauce has some acidity which will affect the taste of your wine. For that reason, enjoy a medium-bodied red wine like an Italian Sangiovese with your tomato sauce.
Drink this with your red-sauce and pasta ($9 at Drizly):
Drink this with your cheesy pasta ($11 at Drizly):
If you’re having chocolate…
Just like wine has varying intensity, so can chocolate. Match the two for the perfect pairing. If you’re having milk chocolate, pair it with a white Gewurztraminer or a red Pinot Noir. Dark chocolate is more bitter and has a stronger flavor profile therefore pairing well with a full-bodied yet fruit-forward wine like a Zinfandel.
Drink this with your milk chocolate ($9 at Drizly):
Drink this with your dark chocolate ($9 at Vivino):
If you’re having eggs…
For those who want to start off their day celebrating the holiday, you can still imbibe! Bubbly will cut through the fatty eggs, so indulge in some champagne or sparkling wine.
Drink with your eggs ($5 at Total Wine):
If you’re having something spicy…
If you’re looking to spice up your Valentine’s Day with cuisine like Indian or Mexican, you’ll want a sweetness to balance out the spice, and a dry, crisp wine, like a rose, will hit the spot (of course, beer is always another great alcoholic option).
Drink this with your spicy meal ($14 at Drizly):
Get more great Valentine’s Day inspiration and ideas for your home and kitchen on Dabl! Check our Dabl TV schedule and find out where to watch Dabl TV.