BYOB: Having the option to bring-your-own-booze/bottle to a local restaurant makes an evening out on the town a very affordable option.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. For some, it means a night out. For others, an intimate night in. Regardless of how you opt to spend the year’s most romantic night, here are some under-$30 wine recommendations that will wow your sweetheart without breaking the bank.
La Marca Di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco (Trevisio, Italy): $12 – Light, crisp and offers a pleasant, dry finish that’s citrusy and fresh.
Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé (Alsace, France): $15 – Features rich strawberries-and-cream with a hint of citrus flavors.
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut (Anderson Valley, California): $22 – Rich and slightly oaky sparkling wine with light Asian apple aromas but with bolder flavors of ripe, juicy pear and nutty notes. Great clean, crisp finish.
Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé (Napa Valley, California): $25 – Pale pink in the glass with a light strawberry aroma, juicy fruit flavors and a slightly spicy finish.
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV (Reims, France): $25 – Very clean, light-to-medium style.
White Wines
2011 Red Newt Cellars Circle Riesling (Finger Lakes, New York): $12 – Pear and pineapple flavors with a trace of sweetness and a nice level of acidity.
2011 Burgans Albariño (Rias-Baixas, Spain): $15 – The aromas are of lush, juicy peach and apricot. The flavors are of ripe tropical fruits with floral and citrusy notes.
2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay (Adelaide Hills, South Australia): $15 – It offers a floral, citrusy noseful and nectarine aromas with a great level of acidity.
2010 Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett (Mosel, Germany): $23 – On the nose it’s floral with wet stone aromas. The flavors show green apple tartness and peach lusciousness flavors.
2012 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma, California): $30 – Floral aromas with tropical fruit notes. Pink grapefruit, Meyer lemons, a drizzle of honey and Asian pear flavors.
Red Wines
2010 Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja (Rioja, Spain): $15 – Great balance between cherries, stone fruit and blackberries and clove, pepper and a little vanilla.
2011 Los Vascos Grand Reserve (Colchagua Valley, Chile): $15 – Bright with cherries and stone fruit. It’s intense, has a nice level of acidity and a fruity finish with black licorice notes.
2010 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson Cuvee (Willamette Valley, Oregon): $30 – Floral with earthy tones on the nose and with strawberry and cherry flavors.
2010 Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel Red Hills Lake County (Lake County, California): $30 – Deep purple in the glass with stone fruit and mocha aromas, cherry and chocolaty flavors and a velvety mouth feel.
Here are some of our favorite New Jersey wine shops:
- Gary’s Wine – Bernardsville, Madison and Wayne
- Amanti Vino – Montclair
- Heights Beer and Wine Emporium – Hasbrouck Heights
- Bottle King – Multiple locations statewide
- Tewksbury Fine Wine & Spirits – Oldwick
- Joe Canal’s – Multiple locations in South Jersey
- Princeton Corkscrew – Princeton
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Veronique Deblois is a food and wine blogger based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.
