Valentine’s Day 2026: 3 unusual pairings between sweet wine and savoury dishes

Introduction

Forget the classic rules. For Valentine’s Day 2026, the trend in fine dining is extreme contrast. Organising a romantic dinner at home does not just mean choosing good ingredients, but daring with pairings that awaken the palate.

This year’s challenge? Bring sweet wine from the last course to the beginning of the meal.

Passito and blue cheeses: the embrace of opposites

The classic of classics, but always with great impact. The honeyed sweetness of a passito meets the pungency of a spicy Gorgonzola or Roquefort.

The idea for the evening: Serve small fig-bread crostini with a touch of blue cheese and a well-chilled glass of sweet wine. A dinner opening that breaks the rules.

Late Harvest and Foie Gras (or gourmet vegetable pâté)

Opulence calls for opulence. If you are looking for the height of luxury for your Valentine’s dinner, the pairing between a Late Harvest wine and the noble richness of pâté is unbeatable.

Sweet wine and spicy cuisine (Thai or fusion)

Want an exotic Valentine’s Day? If you are cooking spicy or hot Asian dishes, a sweet wine with good acidity is the only one capable of taming the heat of chilli and ginger.