The Month of Love: Special Influencer Interviews

In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, we set out to learn how wine enthusiasts from around the world celebrate the Month of Love. Featured influencers include:

1) Talk to us about sweets and wine — what is your favorite dessert pairing?

Renee of @wine.by.renee | Ontario, Canada

“When it comes to sweet wine, I am bound by my Canadianness to say, ‘Icewine.’ It’s great, especially the productions done with Cabernet Franc. I am also a big fan of 20-year tawny port and Moscato D'Asti. I recommend pairing Icewine with chocolate desserts, port with pecan tart, and Moscato D'Asti with coconut cream pie.”

Marelize of @the_traveling_vineyard_ | Dubai

“The cupid's arrow for me is probably crème brûlée with Sauternes or Moscatel. These are delectable and lush sweet wines with tropical flavors, high-sugar content, and perfectly balanced acidity to break through the sweetness of the caramel.
Sauternes has a certain magic to it, since it only forms under perfect conditions. The two rivers, Garonne and Ciron, with different temperatures meet in Graves, Bordeaux to produce a magic mist that engulfs the vineyards. Botrytis cinerea, or noble rot, punctures tiny holes in the grapes causing water loss and leaving only sugary sweetness behind.”

Robert of @wine_food_explorer | New York, New York

“I love a good Icewine from Canada or Washington State. It pairs well with a variety of desserts, but is also delicious on its own! One of my favorite dessert and wine pairings is strawberry shortcake with a well-chilled Icewine or champagne!”

Tom of @winebarchronicles | New York, New York

“I have a weakness for dark chocolate and French or Italian pastries. One of my favorite wine and dessert pairings is ricotta cheesecake, creme brûlée, or a fruit and nut tart with a Sauternes. I also cannot forget a Pedro Ximénez poured over big bowl of vanilla ice cream or gelato!”

Davide of @davide.touraine | Turin, Italy

“My favorite dessert pairing is Moscato d'Asti aged for at least three or four years with homemade tiramisù. Contrary to what one might think, Moscato d'Asti is suitable for aging as it acquires truly unique nuances that go perfectly with the famous typical dessert.”

2) Will you break out a port or other dulce for the Valentine’s holiday?

Marelize of @the_traveling_vineyard_ | Dubai

“I prefer port wine. People underestimate its pairing potential. Yes, it's phenomenal with cheese but its rich decadent character and toffee, spiced fruit, and nutty nuances is perfect for dessert. Ruby port is most often paired with dessert since it is sweet and fruity. Tawny port is more dry and aged in wooden barrels, making it lusciously sweet and caramelized — perfect with pecan pie and stilton cheese.”

Renee of @wine.by.renee | Ontario, Canada

“I will be indulging in some ports for Valentine's Day — from white and tawny to ruby and vintage. I could pair a whole meal with port, so it is a prefect complement to the day.”

Robert of @wine_food_explorer | New York, New York

“Port for me works as an after-dinner drink all by itself. I prefer not to have it with a dessert.”

Davide of @davide.touraine | Turin, Italy

“I’ll probably go for a classic Sauternes.”

Tom of @winebarchronicles | New York, New York

“I do have a bottle of 20-year tawny port that I purchased at Ramos Pintos during a visit to Porto. I think it’s time to enjoy it. However, I also have a bottle of Abraxas Passito de Pantellaria made from Zibibbo grapes in Sicily. I just might open both.”

3) Describe your ideal wine-centric date night.

Robert of @wine_food_explorer | New York, New York

“My perfect Valentine’s date starts days before — getting excited about where we are going builds up the appetite and sets the mood. On the big night, when you arrive, there will be flowers on the table, red wine decanting, and soft music playing in the background — all at one of your favorite restaurants, of course! Lobster and steak is the perfect combination for this special night!”

Renee of @wine.by.renee | Ontario, Canada

“Getting some comfort food and pairing it with the classics. I would start with oysters and a crisp, bright Torrontes, then move to a glass of Brunello with pizza, and finish with a bottle of rosé Champagne. There’s a smile on my face already just thinking about the evening!”

Davide of @davide.touraine | Turin, Italy

“Aperitif in a wine bar with a couple of glasses of a grower Champagne, then dinner in a high-class restaurant with a nice 1980's Volnay from La Pousse d'Or.”

Tom of @winebarchronicles | New York, New York

“I do love my Brunello, Bordeaux, and Burgundy wines, but I love to explore. My ideal wine- centric night would be at some of my favorite NYC restaurants or in a cozy trattoria or bistro abroad. Drinking a lovely bottle or two, okay maybe three, of something regional is important to me when I travel because I like to immerse myself in that moment and absorb the ambience and culture. I think an upcoming wine-centric night may include a magnum of Charles Heidsieck Champagne or a bottle of Tamarelli Vineyards Gran Corte would be nice, too!”

Marelize of @the_traveling_vineyard_ | Dubai

“My travel wish for a post-COVID-19 romantic getaway would be to visit romantic Porto and to stroll along the banks of the Douro river. Porto, the birthplace of Port wine, is steeped in history being the third oldest wine appellation in Europe. Soak in the enchanting Portuguese country side and picturesque city of Porto. Spend days winery hopping and experience the gastronomy of Portuguese cuisines. Valentine's Day in the city means discovering mysterious nooks and crannies. Sipping on port wine and sangria at the numerous wine bars and do tastings at Sandeman Quinta do Seixo Winery. Quinta do Seixo Winery has a hundred hectares of vine and a hundred years of history. Experience and see the Tradition port producing facilities and romantic picnic's overlooking the Douro valley. Then end the day outing with a romantic once in a lifetime historic train trip on the Douro line.”