Up your Valentines game with these 10 wines: Hawaiʻi celebrates

Yahoo

13-02-2025

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Valentine's Day is a day for love; indulgence; and, of course, great wine. Whether you're celebrating with a romantic partner or your favorite group of friends, the perfect wine can elevate any gathering.
Mark Cartland, Sommelier and Wine Director for Island Vintage Wine Bars in Waikiki and Kapolei Commons, shared his expert recommendations for wines that will make your Valentine's Day unforgettable.From sparkling wines to elegant reds, these choices cater to all tastes and ensure a memorable experience.
'We want to create a perfect setting for everyone,' Cartland said. 'Whether you're celebrating love with someone special or enjoying a festive gathering with your closest friends, the wines should be as special as the moment itself.'
Cartland often creates what he calls a 'Lovers' Flight'. These are curated selections of wines that pair beautifully with Valentine's Day dinners.
The flight often includes Champagne, rosé and a beautiful red wine.
'This is a perfect way to kick off your evening, with bubbly, vibrant flavors that set the tone,' he explained.
For a sparkling start, Cartland suggests Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Champagne.
'Champagne is always a great choice for celebrations,' he said as he noted its rich complexity with notes of brioche, almond and citrus. This Champagne, which hails from Ambonnay in the Champagne region of France, offers fine bubbles that make it an elegant start to any Valentine's evening.
'Champagne's expansive, yet precise, character makes it easy to love and hard to forget,' Cartland added.
Next in the Lovers' Flight, Cartland recommended Sancerre Cuvée La Croix Poignant — Charrier.
'This rosé, from the Loire Valley in France, is light and crisp and offers red berry flavors like strawberry and raspberry with a refreshing minerality,' he explained. 'It pairs beautifully with seafood, salads or light poultry dishes. It's the perfect bridge from Champagne to red wines.'
A rosé like this adds an element of elegance and lightness to the evening as it's ideal for sharing with loved ones.
Valentine's Day is not complete without a red wine that embodies depth, complexity and romance. Cartland recommended Roagna Barbera d'Alba 2018. It's a well-structured red wine from Piedmont, Italy.
'Barbera is often overlooked, but this one is truly special,' Cartland shared. 'Roagna is known for its traditional winemaking methods, and the extended aging adds complexity to the wine. You'll taste vibrant red fruit flavors, a bit of earthy undertone and great acidity.'
The deep flavors make this wine an ideal match for pasta, grilled meats and aged cheeses.
Another exceptional red on Cartland's list is Lágrimas de Bhilar from Rioja, Spain. Made from the Garnacha grape, this wine is bright, fresh and full of floral and red berry notes. Cartland explains,
'This wine is organic and is crafted with biodynamic and sustainable practices,' he explained. 'It's a perfect choice for those looking to pair wine with tapas, roasted vegetables or light meats.'
It's not only delicious but also a testament to the winemaker's commitment to environmental stewardship.
Cartland also loves the velvety smoothness of Radio-Coteau 'Belay' Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.
'This is one of the sexiest, most velvety Pinot Noirs I've tasted in years,' he raved. 'It has silky textures with red cherry, spice and earthy minerality that make it a fantastic choice for dishes like duck, salmon or mushroom-based recipes.'
The Pinot Noir's delicate yet powerful nature pairs perfectly with a romantic meal.
For a bold, full-bodied red, Cartland suggests Arrowood Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. 'This is a rich, intense wine with flavors of blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate and oak spices. It's a great match for steak, lamb or aged cheeses,' Cartland said.
A Cabernet Sauvignon like this offers a dramatic, flavorful experience that makes it perfect for those seeking a wine that matches the strength and passion of the evening.
While reds often steal the spotlight on Valentine's Day, Cartland also recommended a couple of whites that will wow your guests.
For a luxurious white, Cartland turns to Hartford Court Four Hearts Vineyards Chardonnay 2021 from Russian River Valley in Sonoma, California.
'This Chardonnay is rich and full-bodied, with notes of citrus, apple and vanilla,' he explained. 'It's barrel-aged; so, it has a lovely, toasted oak quality. It pairs wonderfully with lobster, creamy pasta or roasted chicken.'
Another white that Cartland highlights is Andis Wines Old Dillian Vineyard Semillon Reserve, a medium-bodied wine from the Sierra Foothills in California.
'This Semillon is tropical, with citrus and honeyed notes, making it a perfect pairing with seafood, sushi or creamy cheeses,' he said. 'It's versatile, elegant and ideal for a variety of Valentine's Day dishes.'
Cartland also pointed out how many of the wines he recommends are products of true passion.
'Take Vocal Vineyards Sabroso Enz Vineyard for example,' he said. 'This wine, made from Cabernet Pfeffer and Zinfandel, is a labor of love. The wine has a unique combination of wild figs, lavender and black pepper. This combination makes it perfect for grilled meats, charcuterie or spicy dishes.'
It's a wine that's as intriguing as it is delicious.
Then there's Pedro Parra Vinista 2021 Itata País from Chile.
'This wine is made from the País grape, which can be a bit funky, but Pedro Parra has perfected it,' Cartland shared. 'It's a light-bodied red with bright red fruit and earthy notes that make it a fantastic match for grilled meats, charcuterie or roasted vegetables.'
Just as each Valentine's Day is unique, so is each wine. Cartland suggested experimenting with different wines to find the one that speaks to you and your loved ones.
'Wine, like love, has many facets,' he said. 'Sometimes, you want something light and crisp. Other times, you want something rich and bold. Whatever you choose, it's about finding something that enhances the experience and brings people together.'
Cartland explained the topic of sugar in wines in a way that helps highlight the difference between regular sweet drinks and the more restrained sugar content in many wines.
'Adding sugar to wines, also known as 'chaptalization' in France, is illegal in many parts of Europe, particularly with fine wines,' Cartland said as he underscored how serious the rules are in these wine-producing regions.
While chaptalization is sometimes practiced in the United States, Cartland emphasized that it is generally not encouraged.
'It is done some in the United States; but again, it's not really encouraged. And most of the wines that we have here in Island Vintage Wine Bar are considered dry wines.'
By dry wines, he means wines that have fewer than seven grams of sugar per liter. This is quite a difference compared to sugary soft drinks.
'By way of comparison, a Coca-Cola has 39 grams of sugar for 12 ounces,' explained. 'So, it gives you kind of a sense of scale there.'
Cartland also made an important point for those who are health-conscious. He referenced a wine they carry with only two grams of sugar per liter, which is barely noticeable.
'This one [Radio] has two grams of sugar per liter, which is almost… it's probably on the sensory threshold,' he added. 'You're not able to sense it, but it certainly would be a wine that, while being fruity and flavorful, would be safer for people that are watching their blood sugar levels.'
Roagna Barbera d'Alba 2018
Type: Red
Origin: Piedmont, Italy
Grape: Barbera
Description: A well-structured, elegant Barbera with vibrant acidity, deep red fruit flavors and earthy undertones. Roagna is known for traditional winemaking methods and extended aging, which adds complexity to the wine.
Food pairing: Great with pasta, grilled meats and aged cheeses.
Lágrimas de Bhilar
Type: Red
Origin: Rioja, Spain
Grape: Garnacha (Grenache)
Description: A bright, fresh and fruit-forward organic wine with floral and red berry notes. The winery, Bhilar, focuses on biodynamic and sustainable viticulture, creating expressive and pure wines.
Food pairing: Pairs well with tapas, roasted vegetables and light meats.
Vocal Vineyards Sabroso Enz Vineyard
Type: Red (Cabernet Pfeffer & Zinfandel)
Region: Lime Kiln Valley, San Benito County, California, USA
Tasting Notes: Light to medium-bodied with bright acidity, featuring aromas of wild figs, lavender, juicy plums and black pepper. A fresh, fruity and slightly spicy red wine with a smooth finish.
Food pairing: Grilled meats, charcuterie, roasted vegetables or spicy dishes. Best enjoyed slightly chilled.
Sancerre Cuvée La Croix Poignant — Charrier
Type: Rosé
Region: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Grape: Likely Pinot Noir (common for Sancerre rosé)
Tasting Notes: Crisp, light-bodied, with red berry flavors like strawberry and raspberry and a refreshing minerality.
Food pairing: Seafood, salads or light poultry dishes.
Hartford Court Four Hearts Vineyards Chardonnay 2021
Type: White (Chardonnay)
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California, USA
Tasting Notes: Rich and full-bodied with notes of citrus, apple, vanilla and toasted oak due to barrel aging.
Food pairing: Lobster, creamy pasta, roasted chicken.
Andis Wines Old Dillian Vineyard Semillon Reserve
Type: White (Semillon)
Region: Sierra Foothills, California, USA
Tasting Notes: Medium-bodied, with tropical fruit, citrus and honeyed notes.
Food pairing: Seafood, sushi or creamy cheeses.
Pedro Parra Vinista 2021 Itata País
Type: Red (País)
Region: Itata Valley, Chile
Tasting Notes: Light-bodied with bright red fruit, earthy notes and refreshing acidity.
Food pairing: Grilled meats, charcuterie or roasted vegetables.
Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Champagne
Type: Sparkling (Champagne)
Region: Ambonnay, Champagne, France
Grape: Likely Pinot Noir-dominant blend
Tasting Notes: Rich, complex with brioche, almond, citrus and fine bubbles.
Food pairing: Oysters, caviar or soft cheeses.
Radio-Coteau 'Belay' Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Type: Red (Pinot Noir)
Region: Sonoma Coast, California, USA
Tasting Notes: Silky, with red cherry, spice and earthy minerality.
Food pairing: Duck, salmon or mushroom dishes.
Arrowood Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Red (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Region: Knights Valley, Sonoma, California, USA
Tasting Notes: Bold, full-bodied with blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate and oak spices.
Food pairing: Steak, lamb or aged cheeses.
So, as Cartland said, 'Let the wines tell the story of your night and let love guide the way.'
You can click to learn more about Island Vintage Wine Bars. You can watch Cartland's full interview in the video above or by clicking here.
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Whether you're popping a bottle of Champagne to toast the occasion, savoring a glass of Pinot Noir or indulging in a full-bodied Cabernet, these wines are sure to make your Valentine's Day celebration unforgettable.
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