8 wines that will strike the perfect note on Valentine’s Day—and where to get them locally

Whether you are single, dating, or married, and whether you plan on staying in, going out, or throwing an anti-V-Day Party, wine probably has a place in your plans for Valentine’s Day evening.

To me, the ultimate Valentine’s Day consists of getting dinner out, then retiring to the couch for some wine and cuddle time. Visiting a wine shop can be daunting (especially when you are as indecisive as I am), so I asked my favorite local wine shops for two suggestions— one red and one white—that would satisfy everyone’s taste buds.(Recommendations edited for brevity and clarity.)

EARLS GROCERY

Photo: courtesy of Earl’s Grocery

Earl’s Grocery is the brainchild of two of Charlotte’s most awesome restaurateurs, Tricia Maddrey and Bonnie Warford, whose other restaurant, Carpe Diem, has been one of Charlotte’s top spots for nearly 30 years. Unlike Carpe Diem, Earl’s Grocery acts as more of a market, with a lunch counter, cheesemonger, and dessert station, but it also has a very well-curated wine selection. Here are Warford’s selections along with her description of why each is distinctive:

WHITE: Domaine Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2015 ($25.99)

Sancerre is usually un-oaked sauvignon blanc from the Loire valley, and are juicy, succulent, creamy and have a unique mineral-ity. A Sancerre paired with oysters is quite simply the perfect match. If I had to pick a celebrity whose personality matched a Sancerrre, I would think of Ingrid Bergman in “Casablanca.”

RED: Carol Shelton “Wild Things” Zinfandel 2015 ($22.99)

This wine packs a punch of sexiness that’s validated by its name. It has flavors of jammy fruit (cherry, plum, and raspberry) with a touch of cigar-box aromas. This is a very creamy zinfandel with a long finish. Think: Selma Hayek, smoking a cigar and sitting on the hood of a vintage Thunderbird.

Photo: courtesy of Foxcroft Wine Co.

FOXCROFT WINE

Foxcroft Wine has had quite the year, after 12 years of success in the SouthPark area, the shop expanded and opened a second location in Dilworth. Both locations offer simple and delicious food, locally sourced, and have fantastic retail wine shops attached. Here are two of Liz Saintsing’s suggestions:

WHITE: Baumard Savenieres Chenin Blanc, Loire France ($24.99)

This is a rich, beautifully textured dry wine. It is terroir-driven, with the volume soil of Savenieres underlying the tight texture. By contrast, it offers hints of honey and flavors of yellow fruits balanced with fruity lemon flavors.

This wine stands out for its broad and silky aftertaste, with notes of ripe fruit flavors from the grapes (blackberries, blueberries and raspberry jam) and sweet spices (clove, aniseed, incense, tobacco, and mocha)—the result of painstaking barrel aging.

REID’S FINE FOODS

Photo: Courtesy of Reid’s Fine Foods

I have memories from childhood of visiting Reid’s when it was in its original 1928 home on Providence Road in Myers Park. Its green awnings and green trim are still etched into my mind. Reid’s has been through a lot since I was a kid—expanding, and then downsizing, and now, once again in expansion mode. The new location in SouthPark is stunning, and while it has a restaurant, bar, butcher, and fresh produce, the wine shop is what Reid’s is renowned for.

Leyla Arcovio is the wine director of Reid’s Fine Foods.

Leyla Arcovio is the wine director of Reid’s Fine Foods. These are her two picks for Valentine’s Day wine:

ROSE: Mouton Noir “Love Drunk” Rose ($30-35, available only in the restaurant)

Much like new love, it clouds the brain, causes blood pressure to rise, cheeks to glow, eyes to sparkle. Provocative aromas of strawberry and raspberry followed by refreshing flavors of wild strawberry, watermelon rind, and a hint of kiwi.

RED: Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 ($40-45)

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 3% Syrah, delivers super concentration, chocolate, a touch of oak and a medium to full-bodied impressively concentrated style. Hall has quickly become one of the great superstars in the Napa Valley firmament.

VIN MASTER

Vin Master, a familiar Atherton Mill staple, is under new ownership and has brought in many improvements. They’ve cozied up the place with a new rustic wood bar, ample high-top table seating, and an expanded beer and wine list. Rochelle Baxter, the new owner, offered the two most affordable options on the list, and they sound fantastic. You should check out their Mega Tasting of 25 wines from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every third Thursday. The next one, Feb. 16, is just two days after Valentine’s Day.

WHITE: 2014 Paris Valley Road Chardonnay ($12.99 a bottle. Also available for $8 per glass at the bar)

This quintessential California Chardonnay from Paso Robles is light but buttery and complex, with hints of toast, vanilla and oak. It pairs wonderfully with fresh seafood, shellfish, chicken, citrus and fall spices.

RED: 2014 Floriography Blooming Red ($12.99)

This South African Red Blend of primarily Shiraz, Cinsaut, Mourvedre and Grenache is a bright and refreshing Southern Rhone interpretation of South Africa’s Western Cape. It is fruit forward and floral with notes of strawberry, smooth acidity and medium body. This wine would pair well with red meat, sharp cheeses and spicy food.

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This story was originally published February 9, 2017 at 7:26 AM.