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Does anything say Valentine’s Day quite like a bottle of pink fizz?
Pink sparkling wine perfectly fits this day’s romantic theme, with its pretty pink colour, juicy flavours and lively bubbles that dance on the tongue. Not only can a bottle of sparkling rosé make a delicious gift alongside roses and chocolate, but its fruity flavours and balanced acidity make it a food-friendly Valentine’s Day wine for a romantic candle-lit dinner.
For many, pink Champagne is the ideal Valentine’s Day wine, but if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to this, there are plenty of other types of pink sparkling wine that deliver on the romance front.
We’ve listed some of the best Valentine’s Day wines to add a little sparkle to the most romantic day of the year.
Pink Champagne
Got a hot Valentine’s Day date? Why not pop open a bottle of rosé Champagne? No ordinary bubbly – it’s got the power to turn a simple dinner date into a celebrity-style celebration!
Available in every shade of pink, from blush to copper to a darker raspberry pink, the colour itself is swoon-worthy. But its charm doesn’t stop there. Rosé Champagne is all about elegant bubbles and mouthwatering flavours. Imagine a fresh burst of strawberries, cherries and citrus, with sweet hints of brioche and spices.
While rosé Champagne is characteristically fresh with bright acidity, don’t mistake it for being sweeter than standard Champagne. It comes in various styles – from the ultra-dry ‘Brut Nature’ to the sweet-tooth satisfying ‘Doux.’
How do they get that irresistible pink Champagne hue, you ask? Well, it involves mixing a little red wine with white wine or a method called saignée, which involves soaking the red grape skins. Premium rosé Champagnes come from big-name houses like Dom Pérignon and Moët & Chandon.
Pink Champagne’s zesty acidity and lively flavours mean it can flirt with various dishes. Thinking starters of sushi or smoked salmon? Perfect match. How about roast lamb and duck or a cheesy Brie or Camembert platter? Bring it on! Looking to end the night with a dark chocolate mousse? Then a rosé Champagne is the perfect partner.
Our top choice for Valentine's Day: Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut NV
A bottle of the world-famous Laurent-Perrier Rosé is sparkling rosé at its finest. With its fine mousse and lively flavours of wild strawberries, raspberries and ripe cherries, this pink fizz enhances the joy at any celebration. Delicious on its own or served with roast duck breast in a rich cherry sauce or sweet strawberry tart.
Pink Prosecco
If you’re searching for an enjoyable, budget-friendly sparkling wine this Valentine’s Day, rosé Prosecco is an excellent choice.
A relatively new entrant in the world of sparkling wines, rosé Prosecco earned its prestigious DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) status in 2020. This designation guarantees quality and authenticity and is awarded only to wines that meet strict production and geographic requirements.
Rosé Prosecco is made from a blend of Glera and Pinot Noir grapes. The result is a delicious, fruit-forward sparkling wine with a captivating pink colour, with flavours ranging from fresh red fruits like strawberries and raspberries to floral notes.
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of rosé Prosecco is its versatility. Much like rosé Champagne, it pairs well with a wide range of foods. Whether you’re serving mild cheeses, enjoying a fresh seafood platter, spicing things up with Thai or Indian dishes, or winding down with a light fruity sorbet, this sparkling wine will enhance your dining experience.
Our top choice for Valentine’s Day: Il Papavero Rosé Prosecco Brut 2022. Elegance in a bottle, with fine bubbles and hints of crisp red apple, citrus fruits and ripe summer berries, this pink Prosecco is perfect for serving as an aperitif or with grilled sea bass drizzled with lemon or Caprese salad.
Other pink sparkling wines
While rosé Champagne and Prosecco are popular choices, there’s a vast world of pink sparkling wines out there that can add a touch of magic to your Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Cava
This sparkling Spanish rosé is an excellent value for money. Hailing mainly from the Penedès region in Catalonia, where it is known locally as cava rosado. It is created using traditional methods similar to those used for Champagne.
Rosé styles of Cava are popular thanks to their lively, tantalising bubbles and bright strawberry and raspberry notes. Enjoy it as the Spanish do with a mouthwatering spread of tapas dishes – think manchego cheese, albondigas, patatas bravas, serrano ham, olives, gambas al ajillo.
Our top choice for Valentine’s Day:¡H! Barcelona Hola Organic Cava Brut Rosé NV. A Macabeo-based blend, this pale pink sparkler has fine bubbles coupled with ripe red berries and citrus notes.
Rosado or Rosato sparkling wines
These are Spanish and Italian for ‘rosé’, respectively. They’re typically bright, fresh and have red fruit flavours such as cherry, strawberry or raspberry. These wines can range from dry to sweet, making them adaptable to a variety of palates and cuisines. They are often more affordable than some of their French counterparts but are still high quality.
Crémant de Loire
One of the most popular Crémant varieties from France’s Loire Valley, rosé Crémant de Loire sparkling wines are instantly recognisable thanks to their delicate bubbles and vibrant red fruit flavours. It’s often enjoyed with light dishes, such as poached salmon on a bed of dark green leaves, that complement the wine’s crisp, fruit-forward character.
Our top choice for Valentine’s Day: Abbesse de Loire Crémant de Loire Rosé NV. Made from premium Grolleau grapes, this French sparkling wine is summer in a bottle, with elegant aromas of bramble berries and fresh citrus highlighted by fine, mousse-like bubbles.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé, primarily made in sunnier regions such as Kent and Sussex, is famous for its elegant, refined style. With flavours of juicy British red fruits such as strawberries and raspberries, plus a hint of rose petals, it pairs deliciously with fresh British seafood. Pour a glass to enjoy with a light dish of tender seared scallops for a romantic treat.
Our top choice for Valentine’s Day: Wyfold Vineyard Rosé 2018. This extra dry sparkling rosé from Oxfordshire overflows with summery flavours of strawberry and lemon, and has a clean mineral core.
How to serve pink sparkling wine
Whichever pink sparkling wine you’ve chosen to join your Valentine’s Day celebration, it deserves to be properly served.
Rosé bubbly should typically be served quite cold – around 3-7°C. This typically takes about two to three hours in the refrigerator. Avoid freezing, as it can cause the wine to expand and the bottle to explode.
To open a bottle of pink fizz, remove the foil and wire cage from the cork. Hold the cork firmly with your thumb to prevent it from popping out unexpectedly. Then, twist the bottle (not the cork) slowly until the cork eases out with a gentle pop.
Sparkling wine such as pink Champagne is best served in a flute or tulip glass. These shapes help to preserve the wine’s bubbles, concentrate its bouquet and direct the wine to the back of the mouth. Tilt your glass and pour the wine slowly down the side of the glass to preserve bubbles. Fill the glass only about one-third to allow aromas to develop.
About the author
Brogan Wilson
Qualified to WSET Level 2 Wine, Brogan is a relatively new member of the team, having joined in September 2023. She previously worked as the sole copywriter at a creative marketing agency, and before that, as a primary school teacher. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find her growing her knowledge, asking lots of questions, and crafting both digital and print copy. An ardent red wine drinker, Brogan is also fond of Crémant.
