Sweet talk: There's a rosé champagne for every kind of date or couple this Valentine's Day

• The second weekend of February is about to overflow with romance, celebrations, and popped corks.
• We all know bubbly is the beverage for all special occasions, and rosé is the bestseller for Valentine's Day.
• That's why we've gathered all the best recommendations for you, including the likes of Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial Rosé, Ruinart Rosé, and Krug Rosé. Plus, the jargon to tantalise your date the same way the bubbles do your mouth. 

There's a champagne for every special occasion and mood, and rosé happens to be the one that epitomises the mood for the 14 February. Guess there's a reason rosé rhymes with Valentine's Day, after all. 

And maybe... we're realising after all these years that a French kiss has nothing to do with locking lips, but perhaps everything to do with sipping champagne. 

So here, we share our top recommendations and the sweet talk to accompany your sipping.

If you've already bought your weekend stock, don't fret. While you may not be able to buy a bottle after this afternoon, you can still order and enjoy it while you dine at your restaurant of choice at any point leading up to - and on - V-Day.

The rosé for a first date: Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial

Moët Rosé is known for its radiant colour, intense fruitiness and seductive palate. It’s a spontaneous, romantic expression of the Moët & Chandon style, distinguished by its bright fruitiness, seductive palate and elegant maturity.

So whether you’re out and about or celebrating at home this year, this is romantic sipping at its most glamorous. 

Available from: R689.95 at select retailers   

Image supplied on behalf of Moët & Chandon 

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The rosé to sip - and chat - the night away: Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial Rosé

A sophisticated sip for rosé champagne enthusiasts, Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial Rosé is a regal choice for Valentine’s Day. Expect a medley of berries (strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant) and peaches on the nose and champagne connoisseurs may also notice subtle notes of menthol.

This wine’s balanced palate combines structure, smoothness and freshness. Perfect for sipping the night away with loved ones and friends. 

Available from: R749 at select retailers   

Image supplied on behalf of Moët & Chandon 

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READ MORE: 6 Covid-safe alternatives to celebrating Valentine's Day without losing the spark 

The rosé for long-term lovers celebrating indoors: Veuve Clicquot Rosé

If you like a side of history with your glass of bubbles, consider a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé.

In 1818, Madame Clicquot (also known as the Grande Dame of Champagne) created the first known blended rosé champagne -  lively, effervescent, with bursts of fruit. Madame Clicquot took over the Clicquot family house after the early death of her husband, Veuve Clicquot founder Philippe Clicquot.

The history of this rosé champagne, combined with its aroma of fresh and dried red fruits, makes for an alluring sip. Full bodied and deliciously fruity, with intense flavours of juicy ripe strawberries and cherries, Veuve Clicquot Rosé is the ultimate expression of Madame Clicquot’s ingenious and audacious spirit. 

Available from: R749.95 at select retailers   

Image supplied on behalf of Veuve Clicquot 

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A rich rosé expression for what the kids call 'vibing': Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé

Created expressly for mixology, Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé is a bold, versatile champagne designed to allow champagne fans to create their own playful drinking experience – and awaken the Clicquologist… in anyone. Perfect for a playful Valentine’s experience.

Supported by cellar master Didier Mariotti, specialist mixologists selected ingredients that added a unique twist and magnified the signature notes of the wine. Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé is best enjoyed over ice with fresh ingredients, including lime, pineapple or ginger. 

Available from: R929.95 at select retailers   

Image supplied on behalf of Veuve Clicquot 

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The rosé for an evening soundtracked by '90s R&B music: Ruinart Rosé 

Archives revealed that Ruinart shipped the first rosé champagne over 250 years ago. The exuberant red-fruit flavours make this rosé champagne one of the finest even now. It’s excellent quality remains the essential feature of the production of this delicate wine to this day. Expect a sophisticated rosé with an intense aromatic profile, perfect to complement Valentines dinner à deux, in - or out.

Available from: R969.95 at select retailers   

Image supplied on behalf of Ruinart 

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The rosé for indulgent loving: Dom Pérignon Rosé 2006 

A bolder expression of its iconic blanc champagne, the 2006 rosé maintains the intensity characteristic of Dom Pérignon, with intriguing aromas of dark spices and candied fruit, and smoky accents. Rose gold, coppery, deep hue.

With air, the initially creamy, rich nose gives way to notions of soft, freshly-baked rye crumb and dried blood orange peel. The palate opens with a certain juiciness and fills the senses with its fine mousse. 

Available from: R3999.95 at select retailers  

Image supplied on behalf of Dom Pérignon 

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The rosé for the ultimate romance: Krug Rosé 

For the hedonists among us who endeavour to savour every sip and create bold gourmet experiences, Krug Rosé will surprise you, as it replaces a good red wine at the table with brio. Inspired by the dream of the fifth generation of the Krug family to conceive a rosé champagne that did not yet exist, and one that could be re-created each year, it’s a delicate blend of wines of the year with wines from selected plots of the House’s vast reserve library.

This is then completed with traditionally macerated Pinot Noir to add structure and spice and  a rest of around seven years in Krug’s cellars gives Krug Rosé its refined elegance and character.

Available from: R4399.95 at select retailers  

Image supplied on behalf of Krug 

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READ MORE: A Valentine's Day gift guide for homies, lovers, friends because everyone needs love  

Image supplied on behalf of Veuve Clicquot  

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And now for a quick lesson on the art of rosé, because you will be talking with your valentine, right? We hope.

So here's a bit of French ‘savoir faire’ to impress your Valentine: 

There are several fundamentals that swiftly increase your knowledge of Champagne and most importantly, give you the ability to understand what you should be selecting. 

About the look... 

The IG-ready hues you find in Rosé Champagne can come from two separate sources or a combination of both:

1) Leaving the juice of red grapes to macerate on their skins for a brief time to extract pigments (natural red colouring). 

2) By the addition of a small percentage of red wine - from the Champagne region - during blending.

Region

Champagne is a region of 34 000 hectares roughly 150km North East of Paris. The vineyards in the region are referred to as Crus and are mostly named after the closest village, such as Ay, Bouzy Cramant and Verzy. Each vineyard has a quality rating for the grapes from the respective vineyard.  

Grapes

Champagne can only be produced from three Grape varieties the majority of Champagne houses blend all three as they balance extremely well.

Chardonnay - the white flesh and white skin grape know for elegance. 100 percent Chardonnay-based Champagnes are called Blanc des Blancs. The French translation of Blanc is White, so Blanc de Blancs is “White from whites”.

The Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes have black skins and white flesh. Grapes made from 100 percent of these grape varietals are referred to as Blanc des Noirs, translates as “White from Blacks”. The vast majority of Champagnes blend all three grapes due the winemaking abilities in bringing out the best qualities of each grape varietal. 

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