What are 5 Sensual Words in the Love Language of Wine?

On The Social, Canada’s largest daytime show, we chat about wine and romance. It’s a perfect pairing!

Whether you’re planning a special Valentine’s Day celebration or just want to add some spark to date night, wine can help set the mood. But which wines should you choose?

And what exactly do all those sensual wine terms mean?

Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com.

Welcome, Natalie.

Great to be back with you! Wine is all about seducing our senses and imagination.

Some of the compounds that give wine its “sexy” descriptors are also found in human pheromones that attract us to each other.

When you learn to speak the love language of wine “fluidly,” it becomes a poem for your palate.

Let’s start with the term “cuvée.” What is it?

Mumm Napa Prestige Cuvée
Napa Valley, California

A cuvée in wine is like finding your perfect match – it’s all about the blend!

Many sparkling wines are a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. It’s a socially acceptable ménage à trois at a dinner party.

Feel free to try the Mumm Napa Prestige Cuvée, established by France’s leading Champagne house, G.H. Mumm. It’s become Napa’s signature sparkling wine.

The Chardonnay adds elegance to the blend while Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier give it more depth. This wine features luxurious notes of white peach and toasted almond.

I’d pair this with citrus-marinated grilled shrimp skewers, pan-seared scallops with lemon zest, or roasted Brussels sprouts with honey glaze.

Here’s to our unique cuvée of love and laughter!

Next up is “terroir.” How does that apply to wine?

The unique environment in which the vines grow – the soil, climate and geography – influence the style and taste of the wines from that region just as our individual backgrounds shape who we are in a relationship.

Every love story and every wine is unique and influenced by its surroundings.

Terroir is also a reminder that, much like choosing a partner, you can’t predict everything from the outside.

Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to find those hidden qualities that make something (or someone) truly extraordinary.

Try this Stoneleigh Organic Sauvignon Blanc from the cool Wairau Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand, offers notes of green apple and lime zest.

I would pair beautifully with lemon herb roast chicken.

The wine’s bright acidity and citrus notes cut through the richness of the roasted chicken, while its subtle oak complements the crispy, golden skin, especially when served with buttery garlic mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus.

Another great match is creamy mushroom risotto, where the wine’s creamy texture and hints of vanilla harmonize with the earthy depth of mushrooms and the richness of the risotto.

A sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of truffle oil elevate the pairing to restaurant-level indulgence.

Stoneleigh Organic Sauvignon Blanc
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

Its terroir is especially vibrant because the soil is teeming with microbial life since they don’t use synthetic pesticides and herbicides. That results in a wine that tastes like the place where it’s from.

To our roots—may they run deep and nourish everything we share!

Now tell us about “silky” wines – that sounds intriguing!

A silky wine is all about texture like this Lola Nero Red Sparkling, which is a Pinot Noir blend from Pelee Island, Ontario.

Think of a silky wine like a smooth embrace from someone wearing satin —seamlessly sending a shiver down your back and making you wonder why anyone bothers with skinny jeans.

Try this wine that offers aromas of ripe red cherries and spice.

Pinot Noir, known for its bright red berry flavours, earthy undertones, and silky texture, pairs beautifully with duck confit.

The wine’s vibrant acidity cuts through the richness of the tender, slow-cooked duck, while its savoury notes complement the crispy skin and fragrant herbs, especially when served with a side of roasted fingerling potatoes and a cherry reduction sauce.

Another irresistible pairing is wild mushroom and truffle pasta, where the Pinot Noir’s forest-floor aromas and delicate tannins enhance the umami depth of mushrooms and the luxurious, creamy truffle sauce, creating a rich yet balanced experience.

Lola Nero Red Sparkling
Pelee Island, Ontario

Incidentally, Pinot Noir is known as the heartbreak grape, which may be on theme for some people this Valentine’s Day. But it actually refers to how difficult the wine is to grow and make since it’s so susceptible to disease and rot. But when it’s good, it’s great – and silky smooth on the palate.

What are “legs” when it comes to wine and why are they important?

Those seductive streams running down the inside of your wine glass after swirling aren’t just for show – they actually indicate the wine’s alcohol content and viscosity.

Higher alcohol wines will be the most viscous with beautiful slow-moving legs.

Trius Cabernet Sauvignon
Niagara, Ontario

Beyond the obvious physical allure, legs suggest richness and depth in wine, and they can also symbolize the allure and complexity of a partner. As those legs slide down the glass and intertwine with each other, think of them like doing a slow dance with your loved one.

Feel free to try it.

The Trius Cabernet Sauvignon from Niagara offers luxuriously ripe dark fruit and a voluptuous texture. It’s rich, round and deeply, deeply satisfying.

I’d pair this with grilled portobello mushroom steaks drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs, flame-kissed asparagus tips with truffle oil and sea salt or pan-seared cauliflower steaks with golden brown caramelization and garlic butter.

I should note that both of our Ontario wines are available from the wineries online, but they’re also now in the LCBO and other liquor stores across the country. So if you want to support wines that are proudly Canadian, these are your go-tos!

Here’s to the legs that brought us together – yours, mine and those in this wine!

Finally, we’re going to talk about the “finish” of a wine. What does mean?

The finish on a wine is the lingering aroma you smell after swallowing it. A long finish of six seconds or more indicates quality and complexity. Like many sensual pleasures in life, longer is better.

I’d like you to try the Miraval Rosé from Provence with its bright citrus and strawberry notes.

Miraval Rosé
Provence, France

This wine is incredibly well-made by the famous Perrin family that also make Châteaux Beaucastel.

This is the wine that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt originally purchased; he remains the majority owner after their split.

So you could say that a finish in a relationship represents the lasting impressions we leave on each other’s hearts even when we’re no longer together.

Miraval Rosé, a refreshing Provence rosé with notes of wild strawberries, citrus, and a touch of minerality, pairs beautifully with a classic niçoise salad.

The wine’s crisp acidity and delicate fruitiness enhance the briny olives, seared tuna, and fresh vegetables, creating a light yet flavourful match.

Another fantastic pairing is grilled shrimp with a garlic-lemon butter sauce, where the rosé’s bright citrus notes and subtle salinity complement the sweetness of the shrimp while balancing the richness of the butter for a perfectly refreshing bite.

To the moments that linger, long and lovely, well past midnight.