The History of Pairing Wine and Love

There’s something about wine that speaks to the romantic in us all. Vino and love – it just sticks. Maybe it’s the movie moments that unite famous couples, the countless poetic odes to wine, or the endorphins it awakens in the drinker – but whether it’s red, rosé or white, wine is the perfect pairing for love.

Pour a glass of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and marvel how 18 months of aging creates so many textures and layers for the palate. Such qualities of wine have historically captured the attention of poets, from Emily Dickinson to William Butler Yeats. In his “Ode to Wine”, Pablo Neruda compares the many qualities of wine to those of his love.

Hollywood also has a fascination with pairing wine and romance. One of the pivotal moments in “Pretty Woman” is aided by the presence of champagne and strawberries. The Whitehall Lane Belmuscato, with orange citrus, peach, honey and spicy aromas is the perfect desert wine to pay homage to sweet Hollywood couplings like these on your Valentine’s Day.

Historically, Valentine’s Day calls for a touch of pink and red to symbolize love and commitment between couples. If you were able to get your hands on it, our Cub Red Syrah Rosé adds a delicate floral taste and aroma to compliment the deep red of roses on the table.  (Look for the release of 2015 Cub Red Syrah Rose in Late Spring.)

Second to sharing a bottle of wine with your loved one on Valentine’s Day is the gift of chocolates. This is a tradition that dates back to 1861, when Richard Cadbury began crafting ornate chocolate boxes decorated with flowers, cupids and hearts. Whitehall Lane’s Sauvignon Blanc has light citrus flavors to pair with the creamy texture of chocolate.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a viewing of “Love Actually” or candlelight dinner, pay homage to the age-old pairing of wine and romance on your very special Valentine’s Day.