From rich full-bodied reds to sparkling whites, a great glass of wine sets the mood for a romantic evening. Black Enterprise.com caught up with Wines of South Africa for the inside scoop on five perfect wines for Valentine’s Day. Check out their recommendations below.
Sparkling Stellar Organics Extra Dry NV ($10): No celebration is complete without a little bubbly. Kick-off your Valentine’s Day festivities with a sparkling wine produced from Chenin Blanc, a grape variety that is very popular in South Africa, and Chardonnay. Stellar Organics is South Africa’s largest certified Fair Trade and Organic producer and over a quarter of the enterprise is owned by black workers. Added bonus: this wine is 100% vegan and gluten-free for all of your Valentine’s Day dietary needs.
[RELATED: Top 7 Reasons Cape Town, South Africa Should Be on Your Bucket List]
Seven Sisters Odelia Sweet White Wine 2013 ($9): Valentine’s Day sweets call for a sweet wine. Odelia is a naturally sweet wine, rich in honey flavors yet perfectly balanced by high acidity and floral aromas. Made from 100% Bukettraube grapes- an unusual grape found in very few winegrowing regions. Seven Sisters is a black-owned winery created by seven sisters who were separated during apartheid and came back together in a new South Africa to create fine wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon Rose Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2015 ($13.99): Rose is a great alternative to red wine on Valentine’s Day, and sure to please a wide range of drinkers. A sexy pink color with lively hues. The gorgeously weighted palate balances juicy fruit flavors with racy acidity and finishes on a pleasantly persistent taste. A great wine to romance your loved one.
Full-Bodied Syrah Dorrance Syrah 2011 ($39.99): This full-bodied red wine is worth the splurge for that special someone this Valentine’s Day. Elegant and complex, with decadent flavors of blackberry, mocha, and white pepper. A true-love story fit for the holiday, Dorrance was started by Christophe Durand (from France) and wife/co-owner, Sabrina Durand, who is a black South African.
Bold Red Blend Stellakaya Orion Red Blend 2008 ($45-49): Keep your Valentine starry-eyed with this deep red blend, inspired by the Orion constellation. A full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend with deep layers of black fruits and hints of truffles. Aged in oak, this wine also expresses enticing aromas of spicy vanilla. For Valentine’s Day dinner, pair with your main course red meats. Stellakaya is a family-owned winery and employs South Africa’s most well-known female black winemaker, Ntsiki Biyela.