Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so here are a few special and fun ideas for wooing the wine lover in your life.
HOMEMADE DESSERT
Call me a romantic but there is just something about homemade desserts. Valentine’s Day is an ideal occasion to take the time to show a little love in the kitchen. Whether you are planning a family dinner at home or intimate dinner out, you can always end your evening with a special treat for your valentine. Not sure where to start? Consider The Wine Lover’s Dessert Cookbook: Recipes and Pairings for the Perfect Glass of Wine by Mary Cech. The book offers exceptional recipes and easy wine advice and pairings for the novice or connoisseur.
THE SPECIAL BOTTLE
A sentimental bottle of wine is something to be shared today or in the future. Consider ports from your anniversary year, wine regions with romantic memories or vintage champagnes to be opened together 10, 20 or 30 years from now.
CHOCOLATES
Pairing wines with chocolates can be a great adventure for food and wine lovers but a single box of chocolate and bottle could leave your sweetheart wanting more. Consider a “chocolate of the month club” for your chocolates and a local retailer for your wines. Together, with the monthly arrival of the chocolate, it’s a fun time to explore a new pairing. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just stay with the basics and the pair-up will be perfection. White chocolate: framboise or moscato. Lightbodied milk chocolate: framboise, pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon. Medium bodied milk or semisweet chocolate: cabernet sauvignon, port, merlot or syrah. Full-bodied bittersweet or dark chocolate: cabernet sauvignon or port.
THE WINE GETAWAY
What’s more romantic than a trip to a wine region with the one you love? There are many options and choices ranging from a day trip to Altus, a long weekend in California or a destination vacation to France or Italy. Of course your valentine will love this gift but you get to enjoy it too!