A romantic evening doesn’t have to include waitstaff or a sommelier. This guide features four exceptional drinks to elevate your night: Trus Ribera del Duero, Insolito Tequila (Blanco, Reposado, or Añejo), Maschio Zero Prosecco, and R. Stuart Pinot Noir. By pairing these carefully selected wines and spirits with the right foods, you can create a five-star experience at home. The right pairings deepen flavors, sharpen contrasts, and make each bite and sip feel intentional.
If you’re planning a romantic dinner for two, these pairings will help you craft an exquisite menu for a memorable night.
How (and Why) Are Drinks and Food Paired?
The right drink and food pairing can elevate your entire dining experience. Both wine and spirits bring something distinct to your meal; wine is known to soften or complement flavors, while spirits can amplify and contrast flavors. With the right pairing, a dish can be brightened, hidden notes can be pulled forward, and your entire meal transforms from a simple dinner to a considered experience.
Trus Wine
A Spanish wine made with tempranillo grapes, this Ribera del Duero wine is bold, dry, and tannic with notes of dark fruit, tobacco, and vanilla. Pair this wine with foods that can handle depth and richness.
Food pairings that complement Trus Ribera del Duero:
- Roasted or grilled meats: If you want a meat entree that stands up to the wine’s structure, go with steak, lamb, pork loin, or short ribs.
- Cured meats: Salami, chorizo, and other cured meats, and Ribera del Duero enhance one another’s flavors.
- Aged cheeses: Manchego, aged Gouda, Comté, or Parmigiano-Reggiano soften the tannins.
- Roasted vegetables: Eggplant, mushrooms, and peppers mirror the earthiness of the wine.
- Spanish dishes: lentil stews, mushroom tapas, pork roast, and patatas bravas are a hearty and savory pairing with Ribera del Duero.
Insolito (Blanco, Anejo, or Reposado Varieties)
Insolito is a tequila with a bold presence. It’s not sweet or sugary like other tequilas, and instead has a touch of earthiness with the flavors of real roasted agave. This is a tequila that is meant to be fully tasted, and is perfect for more savory pairings like spicy dishes, aged cheeses, and rich desserts.
Food pairings that complement Insolito Blanco:
- Shrimp Cocktail and Oysters: Tequila pairs with cold, briny seafood. Insolito Blanco keeps each bite refreshing with its bright, herbaceous, peppery profile.
- Mexican appetizers: Think chips with fresh guacamole and salsa. Salt and acid create a perfect match with Insolito Blanco’s clean, crisp profile.
- Fish tacos: Whether grilled or fried fish, the pepperiness in the tequila resets the palate.
- Ceviche or aguachile: Acidic food with acidic drink creates a vibrant, fresh, balanced experience.
- Charcuterie board: Soft cheeses and lighter meats, such as chèvre, burrata, and prosciutto, are elevated by the sharpness of Insolito Blanco.
Food pairings that complement Insolito Reposado
Insolito Reposado adds warmth and the light influence of oak, so food pairings can go richer but still feel balanced.
- Grilled chicken or pork: Herb-forward dishes pair well with the warmth of Insolito Reposado.
- Roasted vegetables: Sweet potato, squash, and carrots develop caramelized, nutty notes when roasted, and a reposado tequila pairing brings out their richness.
- Mushroom dishes: The earthiness plays well with the light oak notes of a Reposado tequila.
- Aged cheeses: Pair Insolito Reposado with the savoriness of manchego, mild cheddar, and aged Gouda.
Food pairings that complement Insolito Añejo
- Grilled steaks: Insolito’s deep agave flavor, with oak-driven warmth and subtle smokiness, enhances the rich, charred meat without overpowering it.
- Grilled or roasted vegetables: The earthiness of peppers, mushrooms, and squash complements the depth of Insolito's flavor.
- Al Pastor: If you’re looking for the perfect tequila to pair with a classic Mexican dish, Insolito plays well with heat rather than disappearing under spicy flavors.
- Aged cheeses: Savory and salty flavors highlight the roasted agave presence of Insolito. Cheeses like manchego, aged Gouda, or cotija balance the bite of tequila with smooth nutiness. Other cheese pairings include Oaxaca, asadero, gruyère, and comté.
- Cacao-based desserts: Bitterness and richness lend themselves to this tequila’s warmer notes. Consider adding Chocolate pots de crème or dark chocolate truffles as a way to top off your meal.
Maschio Zero (Alcohol Removed)
For a simple yet elegant drink pairing, Maschio’s proseccos are fruity, bubbly, and uncomplicated. If the goal of your romantic home-cooked meal is approachability and pairing versatility without the fuzzy alcohol feeling, Maschio is an excellent choice.
Maschio prosecco pairs wonderfully with:
- Any appetizers: Machinos pairs well with olives, almonds, prosciutto, burrata, or any other simple appetizers. The bubbly, fruity notes wake up hunger and prepare your palate for your main course.
- Seafood: Salt and bubbles are a classic pairing. Think shrimp cocktail, crudo, or fresh, raw oysters.
- Brunch: Prosecco is an excellent addition to brunch, in a mimosa or on its own alongside eggs, smoked salmon, or even pastries.
- In cocktails: Machinos can be a bright, bubbly base for a spritz or bellini if you’re looking for a mildly sweet drink.
R. Stuart
R. Stuart is a winery in Oregon best known for their Pinot Noir. This wine prioritizes balance, acidity, and food-friendliness over the flashiness of other wines. Bright fruit, earthy undertones, and enough structure to sit comfortably at the table, R Stuart wines are created to pair with food to create an elegant experience.
Food pairings that work especially well with R. Stuart wines include:
- Roasted chicken: The acidity and softness of R. Stuart wines complement savory, herbaceous flavors without being overpowering.
- Mushroom dishes: For dishes that enhance R. Stuart wines’ earthier notes, consider risotto, pasta, or roasted mushrooms.
- Salmon: The balance of the wine and the fattiness of the fish keeps things clean and elegant, especially when cedar-planked or roasted.
- Soft to semi-firm cheeses: For a romantic, intentional appetizer, brie, gruyère, or young cheddar cheeses pair naturally with the structure of R. Stuart’s pinot noirs.
- Charcuterie: Meats like prosciutto, pâté, or milder salamis work beautifully with the wine’s subtle depth.
Get Ready For A Romantic Night In
- Elevate your romantic experience with the right food pairings
- Choose one (or more!) of these top four wines and spirits for a dynamic menu
- Cook your heart out for the one you love and create a memory that lasts a lifetime
Discover these and other fine wines and spirits found at Georgia Crown and elevate your night in.
