Romance and wine tend to go hand in hand, whether it's a fancy Valentine's Day dinner or trying some of Cupid's chocolate paired up with wine. You may also find yourself presenting a unique wine as a gift itself - there are plenty of reasons to have a good bottle of wine on hand for February 14th.

So, let's take a look at some of the best options for Valentine's Day wines. The traditional Valentine colors just happen to come in the same shades of wine: red, white and pink, and we'll try all three here.

Image Courtesy of Getty Images / Stockbyte

Italians have a long legacy of love, from Verona's Romeo and Juliet to Venice's famed Casanova, there's no doubt that they've got it going on when it comes to amore!

To satisfy the search for an Italian red wine this Valentine's Day, look no further than Ruffino's Chianti Superiore - full of Sangiovese's fresh cherry flavor and good bit of warm spice, this medium-bodied wine has a fairly smooth mouth feel with a focus on both balance and elegance. At a mere $12 a pop and enjoying wide distribution, this particular wine from Tuscany is a winner with aged cheese (think Parmesan), tomato-based sauces and a variety of sausages.

I'm not sure if anything says "Valentine's" quite like roses, wine and chocolate! You're on your own for finding roses, but I can help you out on the wine and chocolate piece.

Some say it can't be done, pairing wine with chocolate, but if you have the right wine to complement the right chocolate it can be a match made in heaven! Whether you are pairing a delicate white chocolate or a lively dark chocolate with wine, there are a few pairing tips to keep in mind.

Rule #1, typically the wine should be at least as sweet, if not a touch sweeter, than the chocolate you are serving it with. Otherwise, the taste may quickly veer towards bitter or sour... read more.

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Just nine days to Valentine's Day and if you haven't had a chance to start brainstorming gifts, dinner reservations, Valentine wines or cocktails then have a look at what About's guides have pulled together just for you. From a special menu for two, to last-minute Valentine's Day gifts, there are plenty of ideas and tips to pull from to make this your best Valentine's Day yet.