❤️ Valentine’s Day ❤️
Good afternoon Wine Lover
With the annual celebration of love looming, we found ourselves wondering… what is Valentine’s Day anyway?
I’m old enough to remember the school version: anonymous cards, clumsy handwriting, and the intoxicating thrill of young (okay, infatuated) love. Half the excitement was not knowing who had sent it; the other half was the mild terror that it might be from someone you really hoped it wasn’t.
Legend has it there was a Saint Valentine, possibly more than one, wandering around 3rd-century Rome. The most enduring story tells of a priest who secretly performed marriages after Emperor Claudius II banned them, convinced that unmarried men made better soldiers (let’s move briskly on). Valentine was imprisoned and executed for defying the decree, and over time this quiet act of rebellion became tangled up with notions of romance and devotion.
Fast-forward a few centuries and, like many celebrations, Valentine’s Day has acquired a strong commercial sheen. Marketing campaigns, gift guides, and inflated expectations now dominate, often drowning out the original sentiment. Cards, flowers, chocolates, and fixed-price (frequently overpriced) menus can make romance feel oddly scheduled, less passion and more of an obligation.
But there’s good news. Plenty of couples are quietly reclaiming Valentine’s Day on their own terms, without the pressure to overspend. A home-cooked meal, a handwritten note, a thoughtful surprise… and, naturally, a bottle of something special. Because what could be more appreciated than Champagne?
And of course, Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone. Some people are newly single, happily single, quietly heart-broken, or simply immune to pink ribbons and enforced romance. And that’s perfectly fine. Not every February needs to be a grand declaration of love; sometimes it’s just a good excuse to be kind to yourself, open something delicious, and enjoy an evening on your own terms.
Ahem. And this is where we come in; especially if the occasion calls for something a little more memorable than run-of-the-mill supermarket fizz. As ever, we’ve put together options to suit both the moment and your budget: Value (under £100), Sweet Spot (£100–£200), and Luxury (£200+). A few suggestions in each category.
Love may be complicated. Choosing the right Champagne doesn’t have to be. 🥂
Use Code: Valentines5 for £5 off your order (use code by 12pm on Thursday 12th Feb)
Riddling the champagne bottles at Pol Roger
Value (under £100 per bottle)
This range is all about great Champagne that feels like a treat, not a stretch. Carefully chosen bottles under £100 that punch above their price point
Jean Marc Seleque, Solessence Extra Brut, Champagne, NV
A vibrant, terroir-focused Champagne from Sézanne, Aÿ, and the Vallée de la Marne. Solessence balances precise citrus, orchard fruit, and subtle autolytic notes with delicate mousse. Low dosage accentuates freshness, energy, and clarity, delivering a versatile and expressive NV with charm, focus, and gastronomic potential. Our most popular Champagne, enough said.
What the critics say (key words):
94/100 – Antonio Galloni - Bright citrus, orchard fruit, and chalk notes. Vibrant energy, precise mousse, and restrained toast combine with persistent mineral tension, a clean, refined, and expressive Champagne.
93/100 – Neal Martin - Focused and mineral-driven, showing pear, apple, and subtle brioche nuances. Linear and fresh on the palate, offering excellent balance, vibrant tension, and a persistent, refined finish.
93/100 – James Suckling - Pure and precise, with lemon zest, green apple, and subtle stone fruit. Crisp acidity and textural finesse give clarity, freshness, and poise, a long, elegant finish, mineral undertones.
Average Critic Score: 92/100 Value Score: 92/100
Available now: Yes, 18 bottles left
Jean Marc Seleque, Solessence Extra Brut, Champagne, NV
£59.00
Louis Roederer Collection 245 NV
Roederer’s multi-vintage cuvée balances fruit from 2020 with reserve wines. Subtle citrus, pear, and stone fruit mingle with light toast and mineral undertones. Creamy yet precise, it shows a refined mousse, excellent energy, and clarity. Harmonious and approachable, it reflects the house’s contemporary style while remaining elegant and food-friendly. A top wine.
What the critics say (key words):
94/100 – James Suckling - Polished and harmonious, offering citrus, pear, and light brioche notes. Balanced acidity and refined mousse, clean, elegant Champagne with excellent freshness, poise, and persistence.
93/100 – Antonio Galloni - Creamy and expressive, orchard fruit, floral nuance, and chalky minerality. Seamless texture, fine mousse, and vibrant freshness, a balanced, precise Champagne with excellent persistence.
93/100 – Decanter - Fresh and layered, showing purity of fruit alongside subtle autolysis. Harmonious and energetic, with well-judged structure, creamy texture, and a persistent, polished finish that is food-friendly.
Average Critic Score: 93/100 Value Score: 93/100
Available now: Yes, 6 bottles left
Louis Roederer, Collection 245 Brut, Champagne, NV
£69.00
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Rose NV
A rich, refined rosé with generous red fruit expression. Strawberry, raspberry, and subtle spice are balanced by creamy texture, light toast, and fine acidity. Structured and layered, this gastronomic rosé offers charm, elegance, and depth, pairing beautifully with food while showing complexity and persistent, harmonious length. A fabulous rosé that punches above its weight.
What the critics say (key words):
94/100 – Wine Spectator - Silky and expressive, with ripe strawberry, raspberry, and delicate spice notes. Balanced, layered, and polished, creamy mousse and fine structure that persist elegantly through the finish.
93/100 – Antonio Galloni - Generous and layered, combining red fruit, subtle brioche, and savoury complexity. Fine mousse and fresh acidity, a poised, harmonious Champagne with excellent persistence and depth.
93/100 – Decanter - Elegant and expressive, offering strawberry, citrus peel, and gentle toast. Fresh acidity, subtle minerality, and fine structure support a polished, refined, and food-friendly finish.
Average Critic Score: 92/100 Value Score: 92/100
Available now: Yes, 8 bottles left
Charles Heidsieck, Brut Reserve Rose, Champagne, NV
£65.00
Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut (Black Label) 2016
Classic Pol Roger precision and balance shine in this vintage. Citrus and stone fruit integrate with subtle brioche, supported by fine mousse and mineral undertones. Elegant, poised, and structured, it offers freshness and length, showing both immediate appeal and long-term ageing potential for collectors and celebratory occasions alike. Great value at this level.
What the critics say (key words):
95/100 – James Suckling - Refined and precise, with citrus, white fruit, and chalk notes. Elegant structure, vibrant acidity, and persistent, clean finish demonstrate excellent balance, precision, and ageing potential.
94/100 – Antonio Galloni - Focused and mineral-driven, combining subtle richness with citrus and stone fruit. Balanced, precise, and energetic, with long, poised length and excellent overall harmony.
94/100 – Decanter - Pure and composed, offering fine mousse and freshness. Harmonious and persistent, showing restraint, clarity, and elegant classical structure through the finish.
Average Critic Score: 93/100 Value Score: 93/100
Available now: Yes, 6 bottles left
Pol Roger, Vintage Brut, Champagne, 2016
£93.00
Agrapart & Fils, Champagne Terroir Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, NV
A benchmark grower Champagne from Grand and Premier Cru Chardonnay. Crisp citrus, chalk, and saline minerality dominate, supported by bright acidity and subtle autolysis. Energetic and precise, it delivers freshness, poise, and harmony. Ideal for fans of terroir-driven, elegant Blanc de Blancs with refined texture, expressive length, and gastronomic appeal. A personal favourite.
What the critics say (key words):
95/100 – Antonio Galloni - Vivid and mineral-driven, combining citrus zest, chalk, and saline notes. Bright acidity and fine texture provide balance, energy, and length, precision, focus, and elegant persistence.
94/100 – Neal Martin - Linear and intense, with citrus freshness, orchard fruit, and mineral clarity. Focused, restrained, and precise, showing balance, tension, and a persistent, elegant finish.
94/100 – James Suckling - Sharp, precise, and mineral-led, with lemon zest and stone fruit. Vibrant acidity and defined structure deliver a long, clean, and expressive finish with excellent clarity.
Average Critic Score: 93/100 Value Score: 93/100
Available now: Yes, 5 bottles left
Agrapart & Fils, Champagne Terroir Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, NV
£89.00
Sweet spot (between £100 and £200 per bottle)
This range provides probably the perfect Champagne for Valentine’s Day. A lineup that won’t break the bank but delivers taste and gravitas. A couple of classic Champagne houses and two wonderful Grower Champagnes - serious quality without excess.
Egly-Ouriet, V.P Vieillissement Prolonge Grand Cru, Champagne, NV
A vinous, powerful grower Champagne aged extensively on lees. Rich orchard fruit, toast, and subtle spice integrate with firm structure and mineral depth. Demanding yet rewarding, it offers complexity, tension, and age-worthiness, making it ideal for gastronomy-focused drinking, a serious, structured, layered Champagne.
What the critics say (key words):
96/100 – Antonio Galloni - Deep, layered, and structured, showing orchard fruit, toast, and minerality. Rich, energetic, and persistent, with excellent complexity and a long, poised, gastronomic finish.
95/100 – Neal Martin - Broad and structured, combining savoury depth, chalk, and mineral grip. Harmonious, composed, and persistent, offering elegance, power, and impressive ageing potential.
95/100 – James Suckling - Dense and complex, delivering baked apple, spice, and subtle toast. Well-structured and balanced, with long, authoritative length and refined focus.
Average Critic Score: 93/100 Value Score: 92/100
Available now: Yes, 6 bottles left
Egly-Ouriet, V.P Vieillissement Prolonge Grand Cru, Champagne, NV
£159.00
Bollinger, La Grande Annee Rose, Champagne, 2012
A gastronomic rosé Champagne combining Bollinger’s signature depth with vibrant red fruit. Strawberry, raspberry, and subtle spice are layered with creamy texture and minerality. Structured yet expressive, it offers length, balance, and elegance, ideal for celebrations or food pairing, showing both immediate charm and long-term ageing potential.
What the critics say (key words):
96/100 – James Suckling - Powerful yet refined, with red fruit, subtle spice, and depth. Balanced acidity, polished tannins, and long, persistent length combine with harmony and elegance.
95/100 – Antonio Galloni - Vinous and expressive, offering layered fruit, creamy texture, and mineral clarity. Balanced, focused, and persistent, with excellent depth and poise.
95/100 – Decanter - Rich, complex, and structured, combining generosity and freshness. Harmonious and persistent, showing finesse and potential for extended ageing.
Average Critic Score: 96/100 Value Score: 95/100
Available now: Yes, 2 bottles left
Bollinger, La Grande Annee Rose, Champagne, 2012
£169.00
Piper-Heidsieck, Rare Brut Millesime, Champagne, 2012
A refined, precise, and elegant vintage Champagne. Citrus, stone fruit, and subtle toast unfold gradually on a linear, structured palate. Bright acidity, fine texture, and energy deliver harmony, persistence, and poise, making this an expressive, versatile, and long-lived Champagne for both gastronomy and celebration. A great Champagne and also one of the most gorgeous bottles.
What the critics say (key words):
96/100 – Wine Spectator - Elegant and layered, with citrus, almond, and subtle mineral notes. Polished mousse, defined structure, and persistent length provide focus, clarity, and poise.
95/100 – Antonio Galloni - Pure and focused, combining freshness, mineral tension, and subtle toast. Seamless texture, precision, and clarity create a Champagne of length, harmony, and finesse.
95/100 – James Suckling - Precise and mineral-driven, showing citrus, orchard fruit, and clarity. Balanced, elegant, and persistent, with a refined, polished finish.
Average Critic Score: 95/100 Value Score: 94/100
Available now: Yes, 6 bottles left
Piper-Heidsieck, Rare Brut Millesime, Champagne, 2012
£159.00
Luxury (above £200)
These are truly iconic and luxurious Champagnes, which would often be three times our price on a restaurant wine list. This can be a great choice, especially for that special celebration at home or is you are going to one of those enlightened restaurants that offer reasonable “corkage”.
Dom Perignon, Brut, Champagne, 2012
These are truly iconic and luxurious Champagnes, which would often be three times our price on a restaurant wine list. This can be a great choice, especially for that special celebration at home or is you are going to one of those enlightened restaurants that offer reasonable “corkage”.
What the critics say (key words):
97/100 – Antonio Galloni - Elegant, seamless, and refined, with citrus clarity, chalky minerality, and vibrant freshness. Balanced and poised, with polished texture, persistent length, and exceptional harmony.
96/100 – Neal Martin - Refined and focused, showing citrus purity, subtle toast, and mineral tension. Linear, poised, and persistent, with freshness and age-worthiness throughout.
96/100 – James Suckling - Precise and vibrant, with harmony, freshness, and citrus clarity. Long, refined length and polished structure create elegance and poise.
Average Critic Score: 96/100 Value Score: 94/100
Available now: Yes, 2 bottles left
Dom Perignon, Brut, Champagne, 2012
£219.00
Louis Roederer, Cristal, Champagne, 2014
A cool, classical Cristal emphasizing finesse, clarity, and balance. Citrus, white fruit, and chalk dominate, supported by subtle richness. Elegant, linear, and age-worthy, it delivers length, persistence, and precision, reflecting Roederer’s modern style with harmony, poise, and gastronomic versatility. I love this wine and its also pretty good (relative) value.
What the critics say (key words):
97/100 – James Suckling - Refined and precise, showing chalky minerality, citrus, and white orchard fruit. Linear, elegant, and poised, with excellent persistence and clarity.
96/100 – Antonio Galloni - Pure, crystalline, and seamless, balancing bright acidity with subtle richness. Focused, precise, and persistent, reflecting elegance and harmony.
96/100 – Decanter - Elegant, linear, and mineral-driven, showing clarity, freshness, and length. Harmonious and poised, with refined structure and precision.
Average Critic Score: 96/100 Value Score: 94/100
Available now: Yes, 6 bottles left
Louis Roederer, Cristal, Champagne, 2014
£225.00
Pol Roger, Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne, 2008
What we say:
A powerful, aristocratic Champagne showing citrus, brioche, and mineral complexity. Structured yet refined, it balances richness with poise and precision. Built for long ageing, it offers layered texture, depth, and authority, making it ideal for collectors or milestone celebrations.
What the critics say (key words):
98/100 – James Suckling - Intense, structured, and powerful, offering layered citrus, brioche, and minerality. Harmonious, precise, and persistent, demonstrating long ageing potential and authority.
97/100 – Antonio Galloni - Deep, layered, and complex, combining richness with structure and energy. Focused, persistent, and precise, reflecting exceptional length and poise.
97/100 – Decanter - Focused, authoritative, and refined, showing minerality, citrus clarity, and layered complexity. Persistent, elegant, and built for long ageing.
Average Critic Score: 97/100 Value Score: 94/100
Available now: Yes, 5 bottles left
Pol Roger, Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne, 2008
£329.00
Taittinger, Comte de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, 2008
An iconic Blanc de Blancs expressing pure Chardonnay from the legendary 2008 vintage. Citrus, chalk, and subtle creaminess integrate with vibrant acidity and fine mousse. Elegant, poised, and ageworthy, it shows precision, clarity, and long-term potential, combining freshness, minerality, and gastronomic appeal.
What the critics say (key words):
98/100 – Wine Spectator - Pure, crystalline, and precise, showing exceptional citrus clarity, minerality, and finesse. Balanced and poised, with remarkable persistence and length.
97/100 – Antonio Galloni - Brilliant and precise, combining bright citrus, chalk, and depth. Seamless, elegant, and persistent, with refined texture and poise.
97/100 – Decanter - Elegant, linear, and mineral-driven, with clarity, balance, and long persistence. Harmonious and focused, showing exceptional precision.
Average Critic Score: 97/100 Value Score: 95/100
Available now: Yes, 4 bottles left
Taittinger, Comte de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, 2008
£229.00
Please get your orders in by 12pm this Thursday 12th February for delivery in time for Saturday 14th Feb!
Cheers! ❤️
