6 Movie & Wine Pairings for Singles & Beyond This Valentine's Day

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Maybe I'm being cynical, who knows. But you know what's not the move? Yet another Valentine's dinner reservation at an overcrowded, so-so restaurant — elbow to elbow with strangers on first, second, and thousandth dates — just to mark another Hallmark holiday. 

So this year, I say we skip it. Stay in, get comfortable, and make Valentine's Day actually enjoyable — whether you're alone, with your bestie, a lucky significant other, or just a very forgiving pet who tolerates your taste in movies. The real magic happens when you pair the perfect film with the perfect bottle of wine.

Lucky for you, I've done the hard work of curating the ultimate list — because nothing says love like a well-thought-out cinematic and wine experience.

The Notebook & Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir

An easy wine for an easy cry. Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir is the kind of wine you pick up when you want something reliable, drinkable, and affordable as heck — but without fully sacrificing taste. It's often sitting at the local liquor store for under $10, which means you can grab a bottle (or two) without feeling like you made a financial investment in your emotions. And trust me, emotions will be had.

Because by the time you're a glass or two in and that scene rolls around, you'll be too busy ugly-crying into your bestie or partner's shoulder to notice that the wine actually tastes better than it should at this price point. Or, if you're flying solo, your golden retriever will be giving you that concerned-yet-annoyed side-eye, wondering when exactly you're planning to pause your meltdown and take him outside. Either way, this pairing delivers exactly what it promises: a slightly-too-affordable bottle of Pinot Noir and a full-scale emotional experience. Feels worth it.

Lucky for you, The Notebook is streaming on Max. Let the tears begin.

La La Land & Boomtown Cabernet Sauvignon

A movie about dreams, jazz, and the kind of heartbreak that lingers just long enough to make you question every major life decision? Sounds like the perfect excuse to open a bottle of Boomtown Cabernet Sauvignon. At around $17, this wine is a bit more dynamic with bright currant, a little spice, and a whisper of coffee on the finish. Think of it as a drinkable metaphor for the movie itself — smooth at first, a little complex as it settles, and leaving you with feelings you weren't fully prepared for by the end.

La La Land is streaming on Prime Video, so it's very easy to revisit that cinematic gut-punch. And if you've ever had "the one that got away," perhaps this is the movie for you to watch solo.

Call Me By Your Name and Bisol Cartizze Prosecco Superiore 2022

An Italian Prosecco for an Italian love story. Bisol Cartizze Prosecco Superiore 2022 is crisp, elegant, and just sweet enough to lull you into a false sense of emotional security — much like the first half of Call Me By Your Name. But don't be fooled. By the time you hit the conversation between Elio and his dad, that final scene (the stare), you'll be gripping your glass with the quiet devastation of someone who once dared to feel joy.

Sure, you could watch this with your partner… I guess. But this is another one you might want to experience alone. Ugly cries are becoming more and more promised with this list, and no one needs to witness you weeping into a flute of Prosecco. Call Me By Your Name is streaming on Max, Hulu, and Prime Video, so pick your poison, pour yourself a glass, and prepare to emotionally unravel.

10 Things I Hate About You & Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc

Okay, let's pick up the mood a bit. Sit down with your partner, or declare an anti-Valentine's Day and throw on a classic. White wine was designed for laughing and rom-coms.

Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, bright, and just the right amount of zesty, which is exactly what you need while watching Kat Stratford (played by Julia Stiles) verbally destroy every man in her path (before inevitably falling for Patrick Verona, played by Heath Ledger, as one does). This bottle sits a little higher on the price spectrum, but sometimes you deserve a good wine with your good time. 10 Things I Hate About You is streaming on Peacock and Prime Video, so pour yourself a generous glass, enjoy the 90s fashion choices, and revel in the kind of romance that won't leave you emotionally wrecked by the end.

All of Us Strangers & Unshackled Red Blend

I know what you're thinking — another terrifyingly sad one? YES, this one explores queer love, death, and family acceptance, with a tinge of fantasy. It's beautiful. And this one pairs far too well with Unshackled Red Blend.

Unshackled Red Blend is bold, dark, and just the right amount of unsettling — kind of like the feeling that lingers after watching All of Us Strangers. This one is actually great to watch with a partner, for sure, if only because you're going to need someone to emotionally anchor you through the gut-wrenching moments ahead. It's streaming on Hulu and Prime Video, and the bottle typically runs around $20 — so go ahead, pour yourself something deep and brooding.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind & LangeTwins River Ranch Vineyard Aglianico Rosé

To top this list off, let's go with something beautifully bittersweet — like a love story wrapped in a sci-fi twist, paired with a rosé that's just as layered as the emotions in the movie. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of those films that hits deep but in a way that's oddly comforting.

LangeTwins River Ranch Vineyard Aglianico Rosé is a delight from the first pour, with a pastel pink hue and bold notes of ambrosia melon, macerated strawberry, and a touch of Asian pear. It's bright and balanced with just enough acidity, finishing dry with a hint of aromatic bitters. You can buy or rent Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Prime Video, so grab a bottle, press play, and settle in for a film that reminds us why love, even when messy, is worth remembering.

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