Many of us can’t imagine Valentine’s Day without a romantic dinner for two that includes a bottle of wine. If you’re having a difficult time picking out the right bottle for your sweetheart, our wine specialists are here to help!  

Below, learn why we associate wine with romance, and get some advice about your Valentine’s Day pairings. 

For Almost as Long as We’ve Made Wine, People Have Associated It with Romance 

We’ve linked wine and romance together since ancient times. Hathor was the Egyptian goddess of both wine and love. In ancient Greece and Rome, newly-married couples received bunches of grapes as a symbol of fertility. Euripides, the famous Greek playwright, wrote, “Where there is no wine, there is no love.” 

It’s no surprise that many winemakers honor its romantic history. Our wine aisles include bottles like Love Pinot Noir, Gran Passione Rosso, and Prophecy The Lovers. Are you feeling a little racier? Choose Chateau Chantal’s Naughty or one of Ménage à Trois’ many options.  

The Science Behind Wine’s Romantic Effects 

Nothing makes us and our sweethearts feel warmer and fuzzier than sitting across a candlelit table and sharing a bottle of wine. However, you may be surprised to learn that there’s a scientific explanation for some of those feelings. Because wine is alcoholic, it can make people relax and feel less inhibited. Alcohol also impacts your hypothalamus, the part of our brain that helps us feel emotional attachment and control body temperature. Finally, wine encourages our bodies to make more dopamine, a chemical that triggers feelings of happiness and pleasure.  

So, while you love your sweetheart and can’t bear to be apart from them, your beverage choices can accentuate those feelings and the mood. (Don’t worry, we’ll let you take all the credit for planning the perfect night in.) 

Planning a Dinner for Your Sweetheart? We Can Help 

Our wine specialists can help you select the perfect bottle to pair with your Valentine’s Day menu. While red and sparkling wines, like Pinot Noir and Champagne, may immediately come to mind when you think of Valentine’s Day, don’t limit yourself to these traditional selections. 

If you’re planning a dinner with seafood or shellfish, your Valentine’s Day pairings may include a buttery Chardonnay or dry Riesling. Canapés, cheese, and lamb are lovely with a dry rosé. Also consider luscious after-dinner wine options like port or sherry, which pair beautifully with chocolate. 

JaM Vineyard’s Butter Chardonnay  

Show your Valentine how much you care with a bottle of JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay. This lush, creamy Chardonnay is aged in oak barrels and is sure to please anyone who adores decadent white wine.