If you’re tired of sweating over wine lists and fussy restaurant reservations every Valentine’s Day, Deliveroo is here to save your date night—no pretension necessary. This year, they’re rolling out a free sommelier service so you can stay home, order your favourite takeaway, and crack open a bottle of something carefully curated to elevate even the most casual of meals.
They’re calling it “Decanteroo” (cute, right?) and it will take place on February 14th alone across three wine-loving hotspots in the UK—namely, London, Manchester, and Brighton.
Essentially, it’s a 30-minute wine-tasting session curated by TikTok’s much-loved wine guru Tom Gilbey, who has spent 32 years in the industry and knows exactly how to pair the good stuff with, well, everything. From Taco Bell to Toby Carvery, Gilbey’s curated a guide of suggested pairings that leaves no takeaway unturned; crispy chicken wings paired with a voluptuous Viognier, a Five Guys cheeseburger matched with a bold Rioja, Prosecco that sings with pepperoni pizza, et al.
When the sommelier arrives, you’ll simply sample three Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference wines matched to your feast, then pick your favourite to keep for free.
And Deliveroo’s taking the whole thing pretty seriously. On the back of new research suggesting almost a quarter (25%) of loved-up couples get the dreaded “ick” when their partner picks a subpar bottle, and the fact that 38% believe a mediocre wine can ruin a night in, those lucky enough to secure a slot (it’s first come, first served) also land themselves £40 [$50]
Deliveroo credit to order their chosen spread in advance.
“Sommelier pairings shouldn’t be exclusively for ten-course haute cuisine, so we’re excited for Brits to be able to uncork romance and enjoy the brilliant wine and takeaway pairings Tom Gilbey has curated,” says Arabella Jenkins at Deliveroo. “Who doesn’t want to just kick back on the day of love with their favourite takeaway and a glass of wine?”
All you need to do is register your interest via Eventbrite for your city of choice (London, Manchester, or Brighton), and watch out for the email alert before tickets go live at 4pm on the 13th.
A Wine Expert’s Take on Tom Gilbey’s Picks
Should you not be one of the lucky few selected for the experience, you may still be wondering which bottle is worth adding to your inevitable takeaway order. To help a sister or brother out, here’s my personal rundown on Gilbey’s choices, including many of the bottles’ discounted Deliveroo Valentine’s Day prices.
- Taste the Difference Vinedos Barrihuelo Rioja Crianza
Pairs with: Five Guys
Was £12, now £8 (saving £4)- My Take: Rioja Crianza typically brings a smoky edge with blackcurrant and cherry notes—ideal for juicy burgers. Go Cajun on the fries if you like a subtle spicy kick, because this red can handle a bit of heat.
- By Sainsbury’s Alcohol-Free Sparkling
Pairs with: Krispy Kreme
£3.90- My Take: Don’t knock alcohol-free fizz. This is light, fruity, and sweet enough to complement a doughnut without overwhelming its sugary glaze. A sweet finish to your meal that won’t leave your head spinning.
- Taste the Difference Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Pairs with: Pho
Was £9.60, now £8 (saving £1.60)- My Take: Montepulciano is known for its vibrant acidity and earthy plum flavors—a surprisingly great match for a steaming bowl of Pho, highlighting the soup’s rich broth without drowning out the fresh herbs.
- Taste the Difference Albariño
Pairs with: Pho
Was £15.60, now £12 (saving £3.60)- My Take: A personal favorite grape, Albariño’s zingy citrus and peach notes help cut through the aromatic broth. It’s an unexpectedly bright combo that’s both refreshing and comforting.
- Taste the Difference Conegliano Prosecco
Pairs with: PizzaExpress
Was £13.20, now £8 (saving £5.20)- My Take: Prosecco’s bubbles and crispness balance the soft spice of a pepperoni pizza beautifully. Perfect if you want to keep it light but still feel celebratory.
- Taste the Difference Côtes de Provence Rosé
Pairs with: PizzaExpress
Was £15.60, now £10 (saving £5.60)- My Take: Provence rosé is as good as it gets, with delicate strawberry and herbal notes—if you fancy a pink twist on pizza night, this is an excellent way to bring a little sunshine to colder climes.
- Taste the Difference Chenin Blanc
Pairs with: Taco Bell
£11.40- My Take: Chenin Blanc can show off orchard fruit and subtle honey hints, making it a brilliant match for spicy Mexican dishes. Expect it to lift those cheesy, zesty nachos to next-level flavor.
- Taste the Difference Morador Malbec
(Try it with TGI Friday’s ribs or anything hearty)
£12.60- My Take: Malbec is typically full of dark fruit flavours and a hint of chocolate or spice. If you’re craving barbecue sauce and fall-off-the-bone ribs, Malbec stands up to the sweet, tangy glaze like a champ.
- Taste the Difference Rioja Reserva
Pairs with: Toby Carvery
£13.20- My Take: A Reserva Rioja adds a layer of oak and vanilla to its dark fruit, so it’s practically made for a classic roast. If you’re scoring a Toby Carvery for Valentine’s, you can’t go wrong here.
- Taste the Difference Viognier
Pairs with: Wingstop
Was £11.40, now £8 (saving £3.40)- My Take: Viognier’s known for peach, apricot, and a creamy mouthfeel. It’s bold enough to dance with garlicky, parmesan-dusted chicken wings without getting lost in the sauce.