The most ‘sensational’ wines from Fortnum’s, Harrods, and Selfridges under £15
I love dining out, but going to a restaurant on Valentine’s Day reminds me of The Hunger Games.
It’s date night, on steroids. Where competing couples vie for the best dining spots to gaze into each other’s eyes. But easily the most terrifying part of the whole ordeal is the wine list.
It’s a face-off with a leather-bound tome the size of the Magna Carta, so it’s no wonder people tend to opt for the second wine down. But be warned, it’s a trap.
Certain savvy sommeliers have gone and slapped the highest margins onto the ‘safe’ wines we gravitate towards – everything from Sancerre, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, to Provence Rosé and Chablis.
According to 2026 data from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), the British public has caught onto this. We’re slowly realising that the ‘Romance Tax’ is alive, kicking and ready to bleed our loved-up hearts dry.
That’s why more of us are opting for a ‘big night in’ over a ‘stressed night out’. In fact, IGD claims 33% of shoppers will be skipping restaurants this Valentine’s Day, and for the first time, 59% of adults will be drinking at home on February 14, instead of heading to a bar.
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The best wine for a date night at home
The smart move? If you’re dining at home, you can still push the boat out when it comes to wine. This is not an excuse to take your foot off the romance pedal.
The likes of Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, and Selfridges sell some surprisingly decent value wines to make you feel like a billionaire on a budget.
Hard to believe, I know, but these relatively thrifty bottles (all £15 or less) are some of the best-kept secrets in the industry, curated by the country’s most talented buying teams.
And the best bit? Most of the wines I’m recommending have the name of the retailer on the label, so your boat-pushing won’t go unnoticed by your other half.
Just make sure you don’t stuff it all up with the food pairing.
Here are my top picks:
Fortnum’s Côtes du Rhône, France, £12.95
This comes from one of the top wine producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They’ve been making wines for Fortnum & Mason for 22 years, and this Côtes du Rhône is sensational. It’s predominantly juicy Grenache and spicy Syrah, but with a mineral energy that makes it unusual and pretty unique. It’s smooth and stuffed full of blackberry and mulberry flavours.
Selfridges Selection Gavi, Italy, £14.99
Gavi has been coined ‘the Chablis of Italy’. It’s got a similar ‘steeliness’, which sounds like it tastes metallic but just means it’s racy and minerally. This one is also lightly herbal and deliciously crisp. And not that you need to know, but it’s made from the Cortese grape. Though you could always drop it into convo as a fun fact. Unlike Chablis, which is Chardonnay.
Fortnum’s Western Cape Chenin Blanc, South Africa, £13.95
Here’s my thinking on this one. This dry white is made by Stellenbosch producer, Warwick Estate. Now, bearing in mind that their branded bottle of Old Vine Chenin Blanc sells for £40, we have a veritable bargain on our hands here. It’s all there, flavour-wise; a touch of lime, honeysuckle and white pepper, making it a dab hand with a Pad Thai.
Fortnum’s Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé, Italy, £13.95
I saw a daffodil earlier, so I had to include a rosé. This is a delicate and zesty rosé from Lake Garda in Italy. Think cranberries and redcurrants with a beautiful coral colour. It’s made from local grapes by winemaker Stefano Casaretti in Bardolino, not far from Venice. It’s crisp, it’s mineral, and it’s in your fridge.
Selfridges Selection Chianti Salcheto, Italy, £13.99
Salcheto are eco-pioneers, based in Tuscany. They were the first winery to be fully self-sustainable and are considered masters of the Sangiovese grape. There’s a purity and power to this cherry-laden red, with a light nuttiness on the finish. A knock-out with tomato-based dishes, I had mine with Spaghetti Bolognese.
Fortnum’s Claret, France, £12.95
A grown-up red Bordeaux, without being overly austere. It’s from the commune of Gensac, east of Saint Emilion in the Dordogne Valley. I gravitate towards the wines of the ‘right bank’ of Bordeaux, as they generally major on juicy Merlot. Though this also contains Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. So, there’s plenty of blackcurrant, plum and herbaceous mint flavours to wrap your gums around here.
Harrods Mendoza Malbec, Argentina, £15.00
No wonder this is so tasty; it’s blended in partnership with the Catena family. Laura Catena, to be specific. In case you didn’t know, they are one of the most esteemed wine producers in Argentina. They’ve made a lovely, textural red here with spiced plum and a creamy flavour profile. There’s also Parma violet and baking spices flavours to become acquainted with.
Château Argadens Bodeaux, France, £13.50, Hedonism Wines
A crisp, citrussy blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a teasing dash of Semillon, from the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux. Owned by Maison Sichel, who has made this property one of the highlights of the Bordeaux Supérieur category. There’s some lees ageing for additional creaminess, weight and texture. Lovely with a roast chicken herb butter.
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