Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, but what if you’re flying solo or want to celebrate the bonds that really last? Well, there’s a special day for you too. It’s called Galentine’s Day and it’s this Friday, February 13th. Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.
Welcome, Natalie.
Great to be back with you! You know, I always say that friends are the family you choose so let’s raise a glass to them!
Love it! So tell us, what exactly is Galentine’s Day?
It’s one of those fun micro-holidays, like Friendsgiving, that celebrates friendship. Comedian Amy Poehler created it back in 2010 on her show Parks and Recreation. The premise? Women coming together for what they do best: a long, boozy brunch. Think Lilith Fair, minus the angst, plus frittatas. And let’s be honest, the bond between women and wine tends to outlast most relationships. Since then, we’ve included men with Bromance Day, but I have no idea where that came from.
So true! What should we be drinking for Galentine’s Day?
Feel free to try Jackson Triggs Sparkling Reserve Brut.
Jackson Triggs Sparkling Reserve Brut
Niagara, Canada
This elegant sparkler from Niagara has a gorgeous toasty, freshly baked bread character that gives it a depth most sparkling wines can only dream about. The fine, persistent bubbles create this luxurious, creamy texture on your palate. It makes you wonder why any other carbonated beverage even bothers trying.
You’ll notice beautiful notes of baked apple, honey, and toasted almonds dancing through the glass. The balanced acidity makes it incredibly food-friendly, cutting through rich flavours beautifully. The extended aging on lees creates those toasty, bread-like flavours that feel cozy even when you’re celebrating independence. At just $17.95, it’s an incredible value, especially when you consider most Champagnes start at $80. Patriotism never tasted this great!
More Pairings
- Butter-poached lobster tail with drawn lemon butter dripping over the succulent white meat, still warm from the pan, garnished with fresh tarragon
- Crispy-skinned duck breast sliced to reveal rose-pink flesh, served over creamy parsnip purée with a tart cherry gastrique
- Triple-cream brie baked until molten, topped with caramelized walnuts and drizzled with warm truffle honey
- Pan-seared scallops with a golden crust, nestled on cauliflower silk, finished with crispy prosciutto and brown butter
- Smoked salmon blinis topped with crème fraîche, bright green chives, and a pop of caviar
That sounds absolutely divine. What’s next?
Feel free to try Mindful Rosé from Niagara.
Mindful Rosé VQA
Niagara, Ontario
Here’s something perfect for those who want to keep the celebration going without overdoing it. This gorgeous pale pink rosé from Lakeview Wine Co. has Pinot Noir in the blend. Pinot Noir is known as the heartbreak grape because it’s so difficult to grow, be when you find the right one, the romance is real.
This wine is made for people who still want a real glass of wine, just lighter, with lower alcohol at 8% and remarkably low sugar at just 1 gram per serving. But light doesn’t mean boring. You get pretty floral aromatics and a bright mix of strawberry, red currant, cherry, and raspberry.
On the palate it’s light, crisp, and dry, with juicy summer-fruit flavour and a clean finish that keeps you reaching for the next sip. At $13.95, it also pairs beautifully with burning your ex’s love letters or those work files he couldn’t find when he was moving out. Closure tastes different for everyone.
More Pairings
- Vietnamese fresh rolls wrapped in translucent rice paper, filled with crisp vegetables, fresh mint and cilantro, prawns, and rice vermicelli, served with tangy lime dipping sauce
- Baked brie oozing with warmth, topped with homemade cherry chutney that’s both sweet and tart, served with crusty baguette slices
- Grilled chicken breast marinated in lemon and herbs, sliced over mixed greens with juicy strawberries, crumbled feta, candied pecans, and a light vinaigrette
- Seared ahi tuna with a sesame crust, rare in the centre, served over Asian slaw with pickled ginger and wasabi aioli
- Watermelon and feta salad with fresh basil, drizzled with aged balsamic reduction and flaky sea salt
I love how you’re keeping it light but flavourful. What if we want something different for brunch?
Feel free to try Lenz Moser Grüner Veltliner from Austria.
Lenz Moser Grüner Veltliner
Austria
This Austrian beauty is what brunch dreams are made of. Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s signature white grape, and it’s having a major moment right now. This wine is crisp and refreshing with vibrant citrus notes, white pepper spice, and a mineral quality that makes your mouth water. There’s lovely stone fruit character, think ripe peach and apricot, along with hints of fresh herbs and green apple.
The wine has this fantastic weight and texture without feeling heavy, and the bright acidity cuts through rich egg dishes like nobody’s business. It’ll pair beautifully with omelettes, quiche, and breakfast in bed, whether you’re serving someone else or treating yourself. The finish is clean and zippy, leaving you ready for the next bite or sip.
More Pairings
- Fluffy spinach and gruyère quiche with a buttery, flaky crust, served warm with a side of dressed greens
- Eggs benedict with perfectly poached eggs, their yolks flowing golden over Canadian bacon and toasted English muffin, blanketed in rich hollandaise
- Smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese, thin-sliced red onion, capers, and fresh dill on a toasted everything bagel
- Asparagus and goat cheese frittata studded with fresh herbs, golden on top, creamy inside, served at room temperature
- Avocado toast on sourdough with heirloom tomatoes, crumbled feta, za’atar spice, and a drizzle of olive oil
Now, what about something for those with a sweet tooth?
Feel free to try Carolans Irish Cream.
Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur
Ireland
What makes Carolans special is that it’s made with real Irish farm-fresh cream, the finest Irish whiskey and spirits, and it’s sweetened with naturally harvested honey, not artificial sweeteners. You can taste the difference. It’s smooth, rich, and has this beautiful balance of sweetness and whiskey warmth. Basically, it’s a hug from Ireland in liquid form.
It’s amazing in coffee, but it also shines in an Espressotini. This is the cocktail that says “I’m classy and caffeinated,” which is honestly the best version of anyone.
Combine 1½ oz of Carolans, 1½ oz of vodka, and 1 oz of espresso in a shaker with ice, shake until it’s chilled and frothy, then serve in a coupe glass garnished with coffee beans.
I’m also showing it here as a Marshmallow Toasted Coconut Cocktail with 2 oz. Carolans Irish Cream and 2 oz. of toasted coconut rum. Shake well. Garnish with a marshmallow and coconut. Both are perfect Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day cocktails.
Carolans was awarded Platinum at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which means it’s won Double Gold three years in a row. That’s like winning the deliciousness Olympics.
And yes, it pairs beautifully with chocolate. Here’s the golden rule: make sure your drink is sweeter than the chocolate, otherwise it’ll taste bitter by comparison. Dark chocolate is easiest to pair because it has the least sugar and dairy but the most cocoa.
White chocolate is the toughest because it’s the sweetest and doesn’t actually contain any cocoa, which is why purists don’t even consider it chocolate. Milk chocolate falls in between. It’s got more dairy and more sugar, so you need something sweeter like port or sherry to stand up to it.
More Pairings
- Dark chocolate torte with a dense, fudgy centre, served barely warm with a dusting of cocoa powder and fresh raspberries
- Chocolate lava cake with a molten centre that flows onto the plate, paired with vanilla bean ice cream
- Chocolate-dipped strawberries with a crisp shell giving way to juicy, sweet fruit
- Tiramisu layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa, chilled to perfection
- Chocolate truffles dusted with cocoa powder, sea salt, or crushed hazelnuts, melting on your tongue
Natalie, these suggestions are fantastic! Any final words of wisdom for our viewers?
Whether you’re celebrating romance or friendship this weekend, remember that the sparkle is both in your glass and in the eyes of the other!
Thank you, Natalie! Where can we find you and these wines online?
On Instagram, I’m at @NatalieMacLeanWine and online, my website is nataliemaclean.com.
Come for the wine recommendations, stay for the reassurance that you’re not alone in your cheese obsession.
Posted with permission of CTV. Please drink responsibly.
