Valentine’s Day is one of those dates on the calendar which tend to polarise opinion – people seem to either feel that they don’t need to have a prescribed date to show their significant other that they love them, or they are all in and will go that extra mile to overload with romance.
Whichever camp you fall into, there is no denying that a thoughtful gift can raise a smile – particularly on a dull February day – so here are a few ideas to bring out your inner Cupid.
Hambledon Classic Cuvee Rose NV
A few bubbles go a long way to making an occasion feel that little more special, so Valentine’s Day is certainly a time to pop the cork. But rather than plumping for the old favourites, why not try something a little different, like the Classic Cuvee Rose NV from the Hambledon vineyard
in Hampshire?
Hambledon, the oldest commercial vineyard in England, saw the first vines planted in 1952. The winemaking journey began, with many award-winning wines produced over the next four decades. During the 1990s, wine production ceased at Hambledon after a change of ownership, and the vineyard was reduced to just four acres which continued to produce grapes for other wineries. In 1999, however, the current owner Ian Kellett took over and wine production began again.
Hambledon’s Classic Cuvee Rose NV, a £35 gold medal winner at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, is an excellent English sparkling wine to accompany your Valentine’s Day celebrations. With a beautiful pink colouring, this sparkling rose will set the right romantic tone, and with a subtle floral hit on the nose, giving way to sumptuous strawberries and fruits, and a hint of buttery toast. On the palette, the fruits come through once again, with sweet strawberries and tart lemons to balance the flavours. The creamy, yet crisp texture draws out to a yeasty finish.
Jean-Luc Colombo La Dame du Rouet Rosé 2019
If you aren’t a fan of bubbles but are still looking for that beautiful blush pink to compliment your Valentine’s Evening, this organic rose from the vineyard of Jean-Luc Colombo will fit the bill.
Jean-Luc first began producing wine in the early 1980s, having purchased a vineyard on the hillside above the village of Cornas in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southern France. Organic production methods have been used at the vineyard for many years, and since the 2015 harvest, the wines have been officially certified as organic.
La Dame du Rouet is a blend of Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache grapes, which are immediately fermented at a low temperature in order to retain the freshness and complexity of the grapes. Once uncorked, the delicate aroma of spiced fruits will draw you in and start your mouth watering. When it hits the palette, the complexity of flavours becomes evident, with soft fruits and delicate herbs combining to create a balanced flavour with a hint of acidity, leading to a long, slightly saline, finish.
Sold by Mosse and Mosse, a bottle costs £17.50.
Ceretto Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2020
With the excesses of the festive season only recently behind us, you might prefer something which has a lower alcohol content, so that you’re less likely to bust those New Year resolutions. This sparkling 2020 vintage, available from Harvey Nichols for £21, is made entirely from Moscato grapes and provides a sweet dessert-style wine with an alcohol content of just 5.5%.
This Moscato d’Asti is full of light spritz, created during the second fermentation, which is halted once the alcohol content reaches the desired level. The pale yellow nectar is packed with intense fruit flavours, with melon and pear coming to the fore. Once on the palette, those fruit notes are met with more floral and spiced tones, balancing the sweetness nicely. The finish is a little acidic, but not overwhelmingly so, making it a fresh and well-balanced wine.
Being on the sweeter side, it is best paired with either an aperitif or a fruit-based dessert but would also work as the base for a cocktail.
The Aphrodite Gift Box From Paxton & Whitfield
Some Valentine’s gifts and romantic gestures might be classed as cheesy, so why not take that more literally this year?
Paxton & Whitfield, the UK’s oldest cheesemonger, have been supplying customers for 225 years, although the origins go back further, to a stall in Aldwych market. The company sourced and sold a wide variety of cheeses, and became known as a purveyor of quality products. In 1850 Paxton & Whitfield became cheesemongers to Queen Victoria, who bestowed the first of many Royal Warrants on the company.
Today Paxton & Whitfield still trade from the original shop location in Jermyn Street, London, but also have a thriving online business, supplying cheeses and other delicacies across the globe.
To celebrate St Valentine’s Day, Paxton & Whitfield have put together a collection of cheese-based gift boxes for the fromage fiend in your life. There are three options available, the Valentine’s Cheese Collection, The Aphrodite (the box we tasted, at £32) or Valentine’s Cheese and Fizz. Each gift box includes selected cheeses and a pack of artisan biscuits for cheese, and either truffles, chutney or a bottle of fizz, depending on the pack you select.
Delivered straight to your door in recyclable insulated packaging, along with a personalised gift card, you can woo your darling with dairy this Valentine’s Day – well, we did tell you it was cheesy!
Abbott Lyon Personalised Jewellery
If you prefer to give a more conventional gift to your Valentine, but without breaking the bank, you could perhaps consider a piece of personalised jewellery from Abbott Lyon.
These elegant, everyday pieces add the finishing touch to an outfit for any occasion, whether it’s going to the office, or evening drinks. There are some lovely engravable options available too, so you can tailor your gift perfectly.
With a range of gifts for him and for her, Abbott Lyon has something for everyone, for Valentine’s Day and beyond – including a delightful rose gold plated ‘S’ necklace with droplet birthstone for this author.
Big Love Brownies
They say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach – Big Love Brownies by Clementina Cakes certainly goes a long way to verifying that. These deliciously moist squares of chocolate-laden delight, topped with chocolate pieces and a fondant heart will be sure to not only warm the heart but also fill the stomach, of your Valentine.
I barely got a look in at home, as my partner devoured the lot in double time. While critical feedback was lacking, the clean plate and lack of crumbs spoke volumes.
Made with quality ingredients and hand-finished, Big Love Brownies are delivered to your door for £20, ready to be devoured or, if you’re lucky, shared.
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