3 Champagnes for Valentine’s Day

If you’re looking for a special wine for Valentine’s Day stop by and take a look at these 3 classic and evergreen Champagnes!

I offer you a selection of 3 sparkling wines perfect for celebrating this day of celebration with your partner.

You will find a brief introduction, tastings and the best pairings, but you can certainly serve them at all times of the day, as an apéritif or for a surprising fish-based dinner.

For this special occasion, we will examine the king of sparkling wines: the Champagne, of course.

In particular, for Valentine’s Day, I have chosen 3 brands that are famous and loved all over the world, fun to drink and above all easy to find on the market, wherever you are.

1. Philipponnat Champagne ‘Cuvée 1522’

The ‘Cuvée 1522’ comes from a blend of Pinot Noir (about 70%) and Chardonnay (about 30%), harvested in the best company vineyards. The grapes are processed according to the ancient traditional method of the Maison and the base wines that make up this cuvée are vinified partly in wood to create a rich and complex base. The ‘Cuvée 1522’ ages on the lees for 8 years and was created to celebrate the family’s settlement in the Champagne region and perfectly expresses the Philipponnat style.

It is bright golden yellow to the eye, with a subtle and persistent perlage. The nose reveals aromas of white flowers, ripe yellow fruit, pastry, spices and white pepper on a mineral background. The mouth is voluminous and satisfying, with an important structure and well finished by long mineral notes. Pair it with shellfish and fish dishes in sauce, seared tuna, fish and white meats.

2. Pol Roger Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs

Produced in limited quantities and only from Chardonnay grapes from Côte des Blancs Gran Cru vineyards, this Champagne offers an extremely enjoyable, rich and full-bodied sip. It’s vinified in steel and aged for 6 years on the lees, according to the traditional method, therefore it is complex, creamy, and elegant on the palate.

Light straw yellow to the eye, with soft and persistent foam. Scent of yellow fruits, white flowers and warm biscuits, hazelnut and honey, followed by a wide and generous sip, with a long mineral and chalky finish. Excellent with grilled fish dishes, steamed shellfish and poultry.

3. Louis Roederer Champagne Rosé Brut Vintage 2016

Elegant, gourmand, rich and fruity, this is how Louis Roederer’s Champagne Rosé ‘Vintage’ presents itself. It comes from a blend of Pinot Noir (62%) and Chardonnay (38%) grapes, variable according to the vintage, perfect for enhancing the perfect ripeness and the optimal aromatic concentration in the bunches, without losing the typical salinity of Cumières Cru, of Chouilly. 20% of the base wines are vinified in wood, to enhance the complexity and structure of this cuvée, then the wine obtained rests for a period of 48 months in the bottle, according to the traditional method.

The result is a fresh and fruity rosé sparkling wine, with a salmon color and aromas of small red fruits, blood orange, flowers, bread crust, ginger and toasted cocoa. Saline and vibrant on the palate, with a fleshy and pulpy sip, with an adequate structure and excellent length. Very versatile and fun, this Rosé is perfect with shellfish, grilled tuna and swordfish, fish soup and smoked salmon.

Now you have all the elements to decide which of these 3 Champagnes is the best for you and your Valentine’s Day!

You can choose between elegance and complexity (Philipponnat ‘Cuvée 1522’), richness and structure (Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs) or freshness and aromatic concentration (Louis Roederer Rosé Vintage 2016).

Keep in mind that the common thread of these Champagnes is the incredible terroir of origin, which gives a marked minerality and persistent salty and chalky flavors in all three selected samples.

Enjoy and Happy Valentine’s Day!