How to Choose the Best Wine for Valentine's Day or Any Romantic Occasion

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Valentine’s Day is a special time for lovebirds to celebrate their bond. One of the most romantic ways to do this is by enjoying a glass of wine together. But with so many different types of wine to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide what to serve on this special day.

Luckily, you have me!

As both an aphrodisiac foods expert and wine critic, I have a unique insight into the best wine for Valentine’s Day or any romantic occasion.

Choosing the ideal wine for a romantic dinner is more than just splurging on something exotic, expensive or rare. Back in my days as a freelance wine writer, I was hired to write a piece for The Daily Meal where I had to pick out “10 Perfect Wines for Valentine’s Day or any Romantic Occasion.” Trust me, choosing just 10 wines is no easy feat.

But instead of trying to come up with a list of wines linked with romance in movies or wines with romantic names, I dug into the research of the late Dr. Max Lake, an Australian doctor and winemaker who discovered that the aromas of certain wines could spark romance.

Although his research was purely observational, Dr. Lake is known for his hypothesis that certain wine aromas can mimic human pheromones and trigger attraction. It might sound crazy but it’s true—just a whiff of wine could potentially rev up the mood. So getting the wine right can be a form of foreplay.

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What does your partner like?

Of course, the fact that a wine is supposedly a turn-on is not the only criterion you want to consider when picking the best wine for a romantic occasion.

It’s essential to consider your partner’s taste in wine. Think about what style of wine they might like—and you can both enjoy. Because at the end of the day, a romantic evening together is all about showing that you care.

If you’re not sure, ask them some questions about particular wines or styles they enjoy to give you clues as to what’s going to be a wine choice you’ll both like. Once you know what kinds of wines are right for you as a couple, you can probably find a wine you like that falls into the “seductive” wine category.

White wines & sparkling wines for romance

If your partner prefers white wine and you want to pick your wine based on Dr. Lake’s research you need to start thinking about aromas. But you also need to think about what your date is going to enjoy. There are a variety of white wines with sexy characteristics so you have some choices.

Dr. Lake recommended looking for white wines with feral and sweaty, (yes, sweaty), notes as well as earthy characteristics like petrol and minerality. (In other words, hints of gasoline and wet stones.) Other scents to look for are citrus and white flowers.

This might all sound odd if you’re not used to talking about wine aromas. But don’t worry, these are not strange and unusual aromas. Many popular wines have these alluring characteristics.

So what kinds of white wines should you look for? You’ll find these characteristics in wines like aged, dry Rieslings, white Burgundy wines, Blanc de Blancs-style Champagnes and sparkling wines and some American Chardonnays.

Red wines for Valentine’s Day and beyond

And as for the reds? They’ve got their own potentially sexy aromas. Look for earthy vibes like truffle, tobacco, cedar, leather, and violets.

What type of red wine smells like leather and truffles? Not every red has these aromas, but you’ll often pick up these masculine scents in American Cabernet Sauvignons, red Burgundies, some Australian Shiraz and some Rhône red blends. You may also find some of these characteristics in a Pinot Noir. But these traits can pop up in wines from all over the world.

Choosing a wine that has meaning to you

But don’t get hung up on the idea that you have to find a wine with a sexy scent.

There are more ways to choose that perfect romantic wine for Valentine’s Day. Serving a wine that’s special to both of you is a sure win, even if it doesn’t fit those specific wine profiles I mentioned earlier.

Maybe you’ve got a favorite wine from your wedding or that first special date. That could make a romantic win for Valentine’s Day or to mark a romantic occasion.

Can you pick a wine by the label?

You might think that choosing a wine based on its label is a no-go, but here’s the thing: on Valentine’s Day, a label that screams “love” can add a fun touch.

And don’t think that because the name is clever or the label is “cute” the wine in the bottle isn’t as good as something with a “serious” label. That is not necessarily true. Winemaking is a romantic pursuit. That’s probably why there are so many well-made wines with names or imagery based around love.

But remember that you can’t just judge a wine by its cover. What’s inside that bottle has to be as good as the label promises. If you find something that sounds promising, you might want to check with the sales rep at a wine shop or read some online reviews before buying.

How to buy the best romantic wine on a budget

Although Valentine’s Day is an occasion most of us feel is worth the splurge, “splurging” is different for everyone. You don’t need to feel pressure to spend hundreds of dollars on a wine for Valentine’s Day just because the wine is “special.” (Believe it or not, not all expensive wines are good wines!)

Set your budget before you hit the wine store. It’s totally fine if your limit is on the lower side. And if it’s a bit higher, no need to spend it all. The key is to pick a wine that both you and your partner will remember.

Additional resources

Looking for more tips on finding wines for your date night? Check out my articles The Best Inexpensive Champagnes for Valentine’s Day and Why Malbec is a Good Red Wine for Date Night.

Pointers for shopping locally

Need help finding a great wine retailer to help you select the right romantic wine? I always suggest finding a wine shop in your area with friendly and helpful staff. Having someone who knows a bit about wine and knows the shop’s selections can be a valuable resource you can use over and over to discover new wines.

Just be sure to be upfront with the sales rep about your budget and give them any specifics you can on wine variety and styles that you and your partner both enjoy. If you don’t feel like you’re getting the help you need, walking away without a purchase is ok.

Online wine retailer recommendations

If you don’t have a good wine shop near you, here are a few online resources I can recommend:

K & L Wine Merchants
Wine Access
Merchant of Wine

If you want to find a specific wine but aren’t sure where you can buy it in your area, you might try Wine Searcher. It’s a comprehensive guide to wine retailers I’ve found very useful for tracking down wines by name and vintage.

This article was originally published in 2016. It was most recently updated in January 2025.

Pink wine photo by Luke Southern

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach awarded by the International Sports Sciences Association and she is a California Certified Massage Therapist.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.

How to Choose the Best Wine for Valentine’s Day or Any Romantic Occasion