Step Back in Time: How Virginians Celebrated Wine and Valentine’s Day in the Late 1800’s

Valentine’s Day in the late Victorian Era (1875–1900) was a mix of romantic traditions, elaborate Victorian customs, and commercialization, with some elements that are still recognizable today.  The types of wines enjoyed during Valentine’s Day celebrations varied based on social class, region, and occasion. While fine wines were mostly reserved for the upper classes, middle-class households also indulged in wines for special occasions like Valentine’s Day.

By the late 19th century (1880s-1890s), Norton was well established as Virginia’s premier red wine grape and was commercially produced in addition to being made by local growers and families.

Who Made Norton Wines in Virginia?

1. Commercial Wineries
   • Virginia’s wine industry was still recovering from the devastation of the Civil War (1861–1865), but some wineries continued producing Norton on a larger scale for sale across the U.S.
   • Monticello Wine Company (Charlottesville, VA) – One of the most famous wine producers of the time, founded in 1873. They marketed their wines as “Virginia Claret” and likely produced Norton-based wines.
   • Shenandoah Valley & Piedmont wineries – Several small wineries in central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley were known to grow Norton and other native grapes.
   • Missouri-Virginia Connection – While Norton was originally a Virginia grape (discovered by Dr. Daniel Norton in the early 1800s), Missouri became its primary commercial producer by the late 1800s, winning international awards. However, Virginia wineries continued to cultivate and produce it locally.
2. Local Production by Vineyards & Growers
   • Small-scale vineyard owners, especially in the Piedmont region, were known to cultivate Norton and other hybrid grapes for their own use or small local sales.
   • Many of these wines were produced using traditional European winemaking techniques brought by German, Italian, and French immigrants who had settled in the region.
3. Family & Home Production
   • Families in rural Virginia often made homemade Norton wine for personal consumption.
   • The grape’s resistance to disease and adaptability made it a preferred choice for small-scale home winemaking.

Additionally, Virginians produced a variety of fruit wines, which were popular due to easy access to local fruits and a tradition of home fermentation. Some of the most common included:

1. Apple Wine & Cider
   • Virginia has a long tradition of apple cultivation, dating back to the colonial period.
   • Apple wine and hard cider were among the most commonly produced beverages, both commercially and in homes.
2. Peach Wine
   • Peach orchards were abundant in Virginia, and peach wine was a popular sweet fruit wine.
   • Often enjoyed fresh or lightly aged, it was made in small quantities at home.
3. Blackberry Wine
   • Wild blackberries grew in many parts of Virginia, making blackberry wine a natural choice for home winemakers.
   • It was often sweet and rich, sometimes fortified with extra sugar or spirits.
4. Cherry Wine
   • Made from local sour cherries, this wine had a tart, slightly sweet flavor and was enjoyed either fresh or aged.
5. Strawberry Wine
   • A seasonal wine made in early summer, often light, sweet, and floral.
   • It was common for farmers and small producers to make this for local consumption.
6. Persimmon Wine
   • Native American persimmons (Diospyros virginiana) were sometimes used to make wine.
   • This was a regional specialty, mostly made for home use rather than commercial production.
7. Scuppernong & Muscadine Wines
   • While these were more common in North Carolina, some vineyards in southern Virginia grew them for winemaking.

Popular Wines for Valentine’s Day (1875–1900)

1. Champagne & Sparkling Wine – Sparkling wine was seen as elegant, romantic, and a drink of celebration.

• Styles Popular at the Time:
  • French Champagne – Houses like Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot were already producing high-quality bubbly.
  • American Sparkling Wines – The 19th-century boom in California wine production led to American-made sparkling wines becoming more popular.
  • Asti Spumante (Italy) – A sweeter, fruitier alternative to Champagne, perfect for romantic celebrations.
• Often served at Valentine’s Day balls and high-society dinners.

2. Port & Fortified Wines (Sweet & Romantic) – Port was associated with luxury and warmth, making it a popular gift or post-dinner drink.

• Styles Popular at the Time:
  • Ruby Port & Tawny Port – Rich, sweet, and smooth, these were served with chocolates and desserts.
  • Madeira & Sherry – Often enjoyed by both men and women as an after-dinner digestif.
  • Tokaji (Hungary) – A luxurious, honeyed wine known as the “Wine of Kings.”
• Couples or small gatherings sipped these wines with chocolate, nuts, and pastries.

3. Bordeaux Reds (called “Claret” in America and England) – were seen as refined and appropriate for formal meals.

• Popular Styles:
  • Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot blends from Bordeaux, especially from Médoc or Saint-Émilion.
  • American Bordeaux-style blends were growing in popularity.
  • Burgundy (Pinot Noir) was also fashionable for special occasions.
• Served at romantic candlelit dinners with roasted meats and fine cheeses.

4. Sweet & Aromatic White Wines (For Gentle Romance) – Many women preferred lighter, fruitier wines over heavy reds.

• Popular Styles:
  • Riesling (Germany & Alsace) – Semi-sweet and floral, perfect for a romantic evening.
  • Muscato (Italy) – Light, fragrant, and slightly fizzy, a sweet choice for courtship.
  • Sauternes (France) – A luscious dessert wine often paired with fruit and cream-based sweets.
• Often served with tea cakes, candied fruits, or cheeses during intimate Valentine’s gatherings.

5. American Wines in the Late 1800s

• California Wines: By the 1880s, Napa Valley and Sonoma were producing notable Zinfandel, Riesling, and sparkling wines, making them a domestic choice for wine lovers.
• Virginia Wines: The region was known for native varietals like Norton (a dark, bold red) and sweet fruit wines that were still popular for romantic settings.
• Midwestern & Southern Fruit Wines: Peach, blackberry, and strawberry wines were homemade and commonly gifted among sweethearts.

Key Features of Valentine’s Day (1875-1900):

1. Exchanging Elaborate Victorian Valentines

• Valentine’s cards became highly decorative, often handmade or printed with lace, silk, ribbons, embossing, and die-cut designs.
• Common themes included hearts, doves, cupids, and flowers (especially roses, forget-me-nots, and violets).
• The most exquisite valentines were three-dimensional “pop-up” cards or included moving parts.
• Cards were often perfumed and even included locks of hair for sentimental value.

2. Growth of Commercial Valentine’s Cards

• By the late 1800s, mass production of Valentine’s cards increased due to advances in printing and lithography.
• Companies like Esther Howland’s New England Valentine Co. (one of the first mass-producers in the U.S.) popularized fancy lace-covered valentines.
• Inexpensive cards allowed more people to participate, making Valentine’s Day a widely celebrated tradition.

3. Valentine’s Day Gifts & Tokens

• Along with cards, small gifts became more popular, especially among upper-class couples.
• Chocolate and sweets—thanks to companies like Cadbury, which introduced the first heart-shaped box of chocolates in 1868.
• Flowers, particularly roses, were given as symbols of love.
• Jewelry, lockets, and handkerchiefs were common keepsakes.

4. Romantic Dinners & Social Gatherings

• In wealthier circles, Valentine’s Day dinners and balls were held in hotels or private homes.
• Young couples and singles attended parlor games or matchmaking events in hopes of finding a suitable partner.
• In rural areas, Valentine’s Day was often marked with community dances, sleigh rides, or simple handwritten notes between sweethearts.

5. Love & Courtship Etiquette

• The late Victorian era had strict social rules for courtship:
  • Young men needed to formally call on a lady at her home under parental supervision.
  • Love letters were written in flowery, poetic language and often contained coded messages.
  • A woman’s acceptance or rejection of a suitor could be subtly conveyed through flowers or carefully chosen words in a valentine.

6. Valentine’s Day & Local Businesses

• Candy shops, florists, and jewelers saw an increase in business around Valentine’s Day, much like today.
• Some wineries and distilleries marketed their finest wines and spirits as romantic gifts.

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© 2025 Terry Housel. All rights reserved.
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