Each month, we will be bringing you our top picks of seasonal ingredients, our wine recommendations and important dates for your calendar.

Busy preparing for dinners under candlelight for Valentine's Day, or whisking up the batter ready for British Yorkshire Pudding Day? Whatever you are celebrating this February, we are here to inspire and support you in pairing your dishes and events with great wines from our portfolio.

British Yorkshire Pudding Day - 3rd February

Sticklers for tradition will only contemplate a Yorkshire Pudding with roast beef and if this is the case, it is a great time to crack open the claret or similar Cabernet-based wine. Here the tannins complement the red meat brilliantly. Why not consider putting magnums on the list for the ultimate group sharing option? Our organic ‘Ladybird’ blend from the outstanding Laibach winery in South Africa happens to also be available in magnum format, and would put a new world twist on your Sunday roast. Alternatively, the Brookfields ‘Ohiti’ Cabernet Sauvignon or the Château Louvie, St Emilion Grand Cru would more than fit the bill.

Rhubarb - Eat with the Seasons

A rhubarb dessert would match very well with a sweet Riesling or Muscat (particularly with custard) or other unfortified wines like Sauternes or Côteaux du Layon. Our current favourites are the Domaine Beaumalric Muscat de Beaumes de Venise and the Kaltern Serenade Passito while Sonberk’s Palava Straw Wine offers an exciting and eclectic alternative. Others seasonal ingredients include salsify, shallots, wild rabbit and wild salmon

Chinese New Year - Year of the Pig - 5th February

The wonderful fatty richness of pork calls for wines with low tannin but high acidity such as Beaujolais or a light Pinot Noir. If a Chinese inspired pork or ham dish is on the menu try Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Domaine Grand Tinel or Domaine Gautheron Chablis.

National Pizza Day - 9th February

It is hard to beat the classic combination of pizza and a fruity Italian red such as Valpolicella or Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Our Lunaria Coste Di Moro Montepulciano is certified biodynamic and in addition, the winery makes a contribution from sales to the WWF Euro Turtle project. A Sangiovese or Cabernet Franc would slip down nicely if a richer, meatier pizza is on the menu and Le Monde make a cracking Cabernet Franc from their vineyards nestled between the Dolomites and the Venetian Lagoon. If you dare to match a French wine with your pizza, you could try the Bourgueil les Quarterons from Domaine Thierry Amirault.

Valentine's Day - 14th February

Why not kick off that romantic dinner with a patriotic English sparkler? We have award-winning wines from Bluebell Vineyards in Sussex and now is a great time to put one on ‘by-the-glass’.

Venison, Hare & Wild Boar

Game meat is known for its rich and well… ‘gamey’ flavour. This can be a hard wine match without a sauce but Pinot Noir or Côtes du Rhône are a good bet due to their lower tannin levels. We can recommend the Domaine des Amouriers, Côtes du Rhône ‘Cuvée Signature’, or Chono’s Pinot Noir from Chile’s premium Casablanca Valley.  Wild boar is similar to pork albeit with stronger flavours so plump for a cru Beaujolais, light Pinot Noir or a southern Rhône white. A leftfield selection would be the stunning Family Reserve White Blend from Backsberg in South Africa. This is a blend of Chardonnay with the typical Rhône varieties of Roussanne and Viognier.