Applying makeup for an hour before cramming into a skintight dress is definitely not how we want to spend this Valentine’s Day. Instead, we’re looking forward to uncorking a bottle of wine whilst wearing a sweatsuit combo worthy of a spot on What Not to Wear.

For adults, the Hallmark holiday has become an excuse to relax with a glass of wine in one hand and a box of Chinese takeout in the other.

Since we’ve been in close proximity with our significant others for the entire pandemic, there’s not a whole lot to talk about anymore. Watching a romantic movie together is a wonderful way to avoid bombarding your partner with hypothetical questions or sparking a nonsensical argument.

Since 2022 is off to a rocky start, we’ve saved you the trouble of researching B.C. wines that will delight your taste buds while Will Smith delights your eyes. Before your trip to the nearby liquor store on February 14, check out these five wine and rom-com pairings.

Red Barn Winery’s 2019 Silent Partner Cabernet Franc/How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Nothing goes better with a sophisticated Cabernet Franc than a film about an advice columnist writing on how to get a man to leave you in 10 days. You can sip on this medium-bodied, earthy Cab Franc with tasting notes of mixed berry jam and plum while watching Kate Hudson lose her shit over a “love fern”.

Red Barn, a winery in the Okanagan Valley, produces wines that encompass the unique flavours and smells from the surrounding environment. Its Silent Partner Cabernet Franc is dry with a long finish and bell pepper–like flavours, sharing the same intensity as a dark red wine. If you’re ordering delivery for dinner, we suggest pairing this savoury B.C. wine with hamburgers topped with blue cheese.

We promise that this bottle of Cab Franc will be empty by the time that the unbelievably charming Matthew McConaughey takes his shirt off.

Liquidity’s 2019 Dividend/Forgetting Sarah Marshall

This full-bodied red blend is a combination of Merlot from Blind Creek Vineyard in the Similkameen, Cabernet Franc from Oliver’s Golden Mile Bench, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Okanagan Falls. Liquidity’s 2019 Dividend features hints of vanilla and a rich palate with fruity flavours like black currant and black cherry.

The wine’s delightful, complex taste pairs perfectly with what is arguably one of the best romantic comedies to ever exist: Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

The chemistry between heartbroken Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) and the lady whom he meets on his Hawaiian vacation, Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis), is one of a kind. Because it was coproduced by Judd Apatow, the film has impeccable comedic timing, sex jokes, and a generous amount of profanity.

Hamburgers, charcuterie, cheesy pastas, or a large quattro formaggi pizza will complement this red blend.

The 2020 Pinot Gris from Valley Commons/Valentine’s Day

Few things—other than topless rom-com hunks—get us more excited than a refreshing, fruit-forward wine with an aesthetically pleasing label. This 2020 Pinot Gris has distinct tasting notes of apricot, honey, and pineapple, making it an exemplary match with the ever-so-sweet film Valentine’s Day.

The lighthearted flick follows several interconnected love stories and boasts a big-name cast that includes Jessica Alba, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, and Taylor Swift.

Valley Commons winery has its own vineyard in Fort Langley, but it also partners with farmers throughout the South Okanagan.

Call us “classless”, but we love pairing Pinot Gris with Nando’s flame-grilled peri-peri chicken. If you have time to cook a meal at home, we recommend pairing the crisp white wine with rustic vegetables, marinated mushrooms, and grilled fish.

Evolve’s 2018 Momento/Hitch

This new release from Evolve was created to unite friends and is a velvety blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. Each wine was aged in American and French oak barrels for two years before being carefully combined.

When sipping on a glass of 2018 Momento, you’ll recognize blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, and plum flavours. The red blend is easy to enjoy and unpretentious, which is why we think it pairs well with the cinematic masterpiece that is Hitch, starring Kevin James and Eva Mendes.

Total hottie and powerhouse actor Will Smith plays Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a self-proclaimed “date doctor” who teaches men how to charm women. It’s hilarious, heart-warming, and will leave you feeling hopeful if you have yet to find love.

When it comes to dinner, order a funghi alfredo with a side of garlic sauce from Pizza Garden and call it a night.

Road 13’s Perfect Pair set/Crazy Rich Asians

If there’s a better pair than Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and Nick Young (Henry Golding), it’s the Road 13 2019 Viognier and 2018 Syrah. These two wines comprise the winery’s Valentine’s Day gift set and will keep your partner preoccupied while you slip into something more comfortable—and by that, we mean a grubby T-shirt from 1998.

Road 13 is located in the heart of the South Okanagan and is known for producing flavourful wines that fuse nature and science.

The 2019 Viognier is described by its maker as “complex in the right ways”—which we find triggering, as we’ve been called the opposite a handful of times. Pear, quince, and papaya form it’s delicate, fruit-forward aroma. Upon your first sip, you’ll discover tasting notes of vanilla bean, caramelized apple, and pear with a subtle citrus finish.

Like all Viogniers, this well-balanced wine should be served with roasted chicken or grilled seafood.

The 2018 Syrah from Road 13 is quite different in comparison to its companion, but everyone knows that opposites attract. We find the incredibly attractive couple in Crazy Rich Asians to be a textbook example of this dynamic.

This full-bodied wine features tasting notes of cooking spices, black cherry, and smoky oak. Because Syrah is such a food-friendly wine, we recommend pairing it with a meat-heavy meal or grilled eggplant.