STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES, AND OTHER FLORAL SCENTS, ON VALENTINE’S DAY
Whether you love Valentine’s Day like Kelsey and Juanita or dislike the commercialism of this romantic holiday like Eric and Shauna, it can be the perfect excuse to take some time out of our busy schedules to shower ourselves and/or others with love and respect. Any reason to pick up flowers, prepare dinner or order in and pull out a great bottle of wine is a great idea in my books.
Not that I have anything against the cliché of this romantic holiday — a card, heartshaped box of chocolates and a restaurant reservation on the busiest day of the year — but it is the only time I prefer not to dine out.
A note to my husband — flowers are always a great idea.
Many wines have aromas and flavours that are reminiscent of the perfume of fresh flowers, from the lightly scented peony to the dark spice of violets.
Whenever I walk into a flower shop I’m transported to places I’ve travelled and wines I’ve enjoyed.
Wine geeks often try to identify the specific floral note, right down to the type of flower.
Miranda Ringma, owner of Zocalo, came up with some brilliant floral pairings that match beautifully to my Valentine’s wine recommendations. We had fun picking out the similarities between the wine and flowers, from the “silky, cherry-coloured” aromas of the deeply coloured Freedom roses that she paired with Chateau Musar to the delicately scented, “small, romantic blooms” that pair perfectly with the Descombes St. Amour.
Check out these gorgeous arrangements and their appointed wine pairings at the Edmonton Journal online.
Celebrate on Feb. 14 by sipping a glass of wine and don’t forget to “stop and smell the roses.”
PARES BALTA CAVA PINK BRUT $23
Start the evening with this delicious sparkling pink from a Spanish winery that has been organic and biodynamic since 1934.
Picture snow-covered vineyards with an army of sheep eating grass between rows until the growing season begins.
A blend of Garnacha, Parellada and Macabeu that is just delightful! Eighteen months in the cellar and no sugar added, creating a glass of pink bubbly that will warm hearts with fresh and crisp strawberry and raspberry that is just darn fabulous. Enjoy a glass on its own or enjoy with starters such as a classic, prawn cocktail, grilled seafood, samosas, empanadas, deep-fried Asian dishes and most lightly spiced and salty foods.
BROC CELLARS LOVE WHITE $30
A stunning wine is wrapped in a kitschy label from the Love Ranch vineyard, located about 72 km south of California’s Yosemite National Park.
This is a blend that’s reminiscent of southern France with Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and a splash of Viognier.
This is a “natural wine” (we will cover this in an upcoming column) with minimal intervention — no pesticides or cultivated yeast.
You will fall for the captivating aromas and flavours of ripe pear, camomile, dried leaves, apricot, baked lemon, pineapple and a pleasing nutty bitterness.
Pair with dishes that have lemon and garlic as ingredients, Greek chicken with lemon and basmati rice, lemon and herb crusted fish, Mediterranean pizza, savoury frittata or veal lemon. The importer, Erik, loves this with mushroom risotto or Shake ‘n Bake chicken and instant potatoes!
MUSAR JEUNE ROSE $27
This iconic Lebanese winery has a cult following and a remarkable tale of Serge Hochar’s determination and survival through a 20-year civil war, losing only two vintages. Sadly, he passed away in a swimming accident in 2014 but his legacy is strong with his sons now running the winery.
An expressive wine composed of 100 per cent Cinsault (red varietal) that’s organically certified and hand-picked by local Bedouins.
A bruiser of a rose with unusual aromas of kirsch, vermouthsoaked cherries and frozen strawberries, the palate is bonedry with silky texture, pomegranate and cherry pit followed by a lengthy, rich, ripe berry, cherry gummy-bear note (in a good way), and dry finish.
A fun, funky and unusual rose with a legendary story of perseverance to tell. It pairs well with charcuterie, tapas, paella, grilled seafood and Mediterranean fare.
DESCOMBES — SAINT AMOUR $27
Georges Descombes produces wine from Beaujolais and this bottle is from the smallest and most romantic cru of Saint Amour, that translates fittingly to “St. Love,” a region known for producing red wines that are light to medium-bodied that can be similar in style to Pinot Noir.
The wines are made from the Gamay grape and will have fruity and floral characteristics such as peonies, subtle earthiness, spice, fruity (tart cherry, red currants and plum) that pair with a wide range of lighter fare such as roast chicken with Provencal herbs, chicken tagine with apricots and olives, anchovies and tomato, pasta with Bolognese sauce, aged sharp cheddar, spinach salad with berries or Swiss fondue.
GABBAS CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA LILLOVE $27
Giuseppe Gabbas has won the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award for his sustainable vineyard management and beautiful wines.
This wine is 90 per cent Grenache with some indigenous grapes blended in from the Lillove vineyard.
Stainless steel fermented with no wood aging, the winemaker is producing a smooth but softly textured, medium to full-bodied and vibrant wine with aromas and flavours of concentrated red berries and plums, floral and spice.
Cannonau (a.k.a. Grenache) grown on the granitic soils of Sardegna is rumoured to have magical longevity properties … Pair this wine with a deli plate of mature cheese, assorted ham and salami, roasted/grilled beef, braised/roasted lamb, game, pasta with meat sauce, and rich stews.
Wine selections are available at select Alberta shops. Log onto liquorconnect.com to check availability and give them a call to verify. Juanita Roos opened Color de Vino, a fine wine and spirits store, with her family in 2014. She has travelled to wine regions around the world and completed the prestigious WSET Diploma from London, England, the prerequisite for the Master of Wine program. Send your questions about wine to info@colordevino.ca.