Out of all of the ‘key dates’ on the calendar, Valentine’s Day is arguably the strangest of them all. It’s the first one of the year, one where we all collectively pretend that a fixed date in February can manufacture romance. Cue overpriced set menus, awkward (often over-full) seating plans, bunches of flowers bought at the petrol station and at least one (but usually two) disappointed partners.
After years of experience navigating (and ultimately failing) Valentine’s Day, here’s what we’ve learnt:
Forced romance is NOT romantic
Nothing kills the mood quicker than a mediocre set menu served at pace whilst an apologetic waiter/waitress juggles a section big enough for three servers.
Real romance is obviously taken at a much slower pace, usually on the sofa, and always with good wine.
Nobody actually wants more (tacky) stuff
Cards usually end up in the bin, flowers die, and chocolate seems to have lost its shine so soon after Christmas. Wine, though, we can get on board with that, and it usually doesn’t hang around.
Nothing says “I panicked” more than a bottle of supermarket rosé
Or hangover regret (although this year’s Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday…). A thoughtfully, expertly curated set of very high quality wine however, screams “I actually care and have taste”. Remember, your Valentine’s Day wine choices say a lot about your relationship.
If we are going to play along with Valentine’s Day, then let’s do it properly. No seating plans, no bookings and zero pressure, just good wine designed for sharing and actually enjoying.
At Tiny Wine, we’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. We have put together a range of Tasting Kits that won’t drain the bank account or your emotional energy. Choose between mixed, all red or all white and taste three genuinely excellent wines without committing to a full bottle that you will probably pretend to love.
Pick a tasting kit for two to share with someone, or if romance isn’t on the cards this year, grab a kit for one. Alternatively, just keep the sharing kit for yourself. We won’t judge.