Ready to wine and dine this Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re planning a romantic meal, a gathering of friends or a quiet supper in, we believe you should always know what wines to pair with your meal. We asked Jancis Robinson, author of The 24-Hour Wine Expert, to recommend the best wines for some of our favourite Happy Foodie recipes.
Chicken Tikka Masala by Madhur Jaffrey
The 24-Hour Wine Expert Says… I’d go for a soft, fruity red with this, preferably one that is not too chewy. A young red rioja would do it, or a wine labelled Grenache or Garnacha like this one.
Perfect Spaghetti Carbonara by Felicity Cloake
The 24-Hour Wine Expert Says… Italy makes so many great whites now. Verdicchio, Vermentino or Pecorino would all be lovely.
Roast Harissa Salmon with Lemony Giant Couscous by Lizzie Kamenetzky
The 24-Hour Wine Expert Says… A full-bodied white is called for here. Austria’s signature grape Grüner Veltliner would be perfect. The more you pay, the more character and body you will get.
Slow-cooked Spicy Lamb by Nadia Sawalha
The 24-Hour Wine Expert Says… A Tuscan red such as a Chianti Classico would work here, its tang and chew working well with the spicing and sloppiness of the dish (by which I mean texture not method).
Macaroni Cheese by Richard Turner
The 24-Hour Wine Expert Says… Beaujolais! Or a good Australian Chardonnay.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondant
The 24-Hour Wine Expert Says… This is a killer for most wines. The only hope is to go for one of the sweetest wines on the planet – PX sherry. Delicious stuff (also good poured over vanilla ice cream).
You can order The 24-Hour Wine Expert now or visit Jancis Robinson’s website here.
