February 14th is known as "Valentine's Day."
Many people may be thinking about giving chocolate to someone special or buying it as a treat for themselves.
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we recommend "Japanese wine" perfect for Valentine's Day.
Not only does it pair well with chocolate, but it’s also ideal for those who aren’t fond of sweet things. If you want to make your Valentine’s Day more festive, please use this as a reference.
Why Japanese Wine is Perfect for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a globally established event, with origins said to date back to the Roman Empire era. According to the Japan Chocolate & Cocoa Association, Valentine’s Day became popular in Japan around the 1950s, and the catchphrase "women give chocolate to men" was created during this time. (Kobe is said to be the birthplace of Valentine’s Day in Japan.) In Japan, Valentine’s Day was traditionally a day for women to give chocolate to men, but recently it has come to be seen as a day to freely enjoy chocolate, including "friend chocolate" and "chocolate for oneself." Also, some people view Valentine’s Day as an event to enjoy delicious things beyond just chocolate. Now, when it comes to items that can make Valentine’s Day even more special, wine is a great choice. Among them, Japanese wine is especially fitting for Valentine’s Day. Let us explain why.
It Lifts Your Spirits
Wine has the power to lift the mood of any occasion. Just the sight of a stylish bottle and wine glasses alongside the meal creates a special atmosphere. Of course, the combination of chocolate and wine also makes a beautiful pairing. Because it’s a wine that sets a romantic mood, Japanese wine, made in Japan, adds an extra sense of uniqueness. It encourages lively conversation with your loved one and offers the reassurance of being domestically produced. Japanese wine is particularly easy to drink even for beginners, so those who like alcohol but aren’t used to drinking it can enjoy it casually. Japanese wine has the ability to enhance your mood without any pressure.
Pairs Well with Chocolate
Actually, pairing chocolate and wine is said to be difficult. There are various reasons, but a common opinion is that the acidity and tannins in wine clash with the sweetness and bitterness of chocolate, causing both to lose their appeal. Therefore, the rule of thumb for pairing chocolate and wine is to choose a "sweet wine." On the other hand, full-bodied red wines with strong fruit flavors are also recommended with dark chocolate, but some people may want a more casual pairing. That’s where Japanese wine comes in. Japanese wine is characterized by a moderate and delicate aroma, elegant flavor, and a tendency not to overpower the food it’s paired with. Especially Japanese red wines have refreshing aromas, fruity notes, balanced acidity, and gentle tannins, allowing them to highlight the character of chocolate while achieving a well-balanced pairing. Of course, Japanese wine also pairs well with sweets and various dishes in general, making it a great choice for your Valentine’s Day table.
Satisfies Even Those Who Don’t Like Sweet Things
For those who aren’t fond of sweet things, you might secretly wish for something other than chocolate or sweets. For such people, Japanese wine is highly recommended. Besides the special feeling of wine made in Japan, you can find many wines that capture the spirit of Valentine’s Day. If you want to create a Valentine’s Day atmosphere, Japanese red wine is especially recommended. It’s sophisticated without being overpowering, and compared to imported wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir, it offers dry and elegant options. Some red wines have strong fruit sweetness, but they all feature complex aromas, restrained fruitiness, a soft and dry mouthfeel, and a balanced elegance. "I don’t like sweet things, but I want to enjoy a festive flavor." For those people, Japanese red wine is the perfect choice.
CWS Recommendations! Two Japanese Wines to Enjoy on Valentine’s Day
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we recommend Japanese wines perfect for Valentine’s Day. These two selections are ideal for pairing with chocolate, creating a festive Valentine’s atmosphere, or for those who aren’t very fond of sweets. Gift wrapping is also available. Please use this as a guide when choosing your Valentine’s wine.
Tottowinery / Pinot Noir 2024
Tottowinery, located in Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, offers this recommended Pinot Noir for Valentine’s Day, known for its elegant aroma, refined acidity, silky tannins, and graceful finish. The winery has been working on this Pinot Noir since 2018, and because this grape variety is known to be difficult to cultivate, they have gone through many trials to achieve this quality. The 2024 vintage benefited from favorable weather during harvest, resulting in excellent Pinot Noir grapes. It has a transparent ruby color and aromas reminiscent of red fruits like cherries. The acidity and fruitiness are subtle, creating a gentle finish. It pairs well with a wide range of dishes and is excellent with chocolate. Its elegant yet dry taste makes it a great choice for those who don’t like sweet flavors.
If you want to give it as a gift, please use the “Single Bottle Gift Wrapping (Clear Bag & Gold Ribbon)” (385 yen including tax).
Tottowinery / Pinot Noir 2024
3,520 yen (tax included)
Domaine Hide / Aishiteru Sparkling 2024
Domaine Hide, a micro-winery in Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture, offers this charming bottle with an eye-catching label design, perfect for Valentine’s Day. True to their focus on Muscat Bailey A, the winery uses 100% hand-picked Muscat Bailey A grapes. The wine is made with natural yeast, no added sulfites, unfiltered, and unfined, finished as a lightly sparkling (pétillant) wine with a pleasant mouthfeel. It features a natural, delicate, and gentle flavor with a pure taste that soothes the body. It pairs wonderfully not only with chocolate but also with a variety of dishes, making it a great choice for Valentine’s Day. The aroma and fruitiness are never cloying but crisp and refined, so even those who dislike sweet flavors will be satisfied. It’s a red wine best enjoyed well chilled.
If you want to give it as a gift, please use the “Single Bottle Gift Wrapping (Clear Bag & Gold Ribbon)” (385 yen including tax).
Domaine Hide / Aishiteru Sparkling 2024
3,960 yen (tax included)
Summary
Since Valentine’s Day only comes once a year, you surely want to make it a memorable day. For those people, Japanese wine is highly recommended. The two wines introduced in this article not only lift your spirits but also pair excellently with chocolate and satisfy even those who aren’t fond of sweets. Gift wrapping is available, so why not give one to someone special for Valentine’s Day?
