READY FOR ROMANCE
Pair this pilaf with Pinot
There’s still time to prepare for Valentine’s Day, but you best get a move on if you are going to get a dinner reservation in a restaurant: It’s the second busiest night of the year after Mother’s Day, and at many establishments two-seating room sellouts are the norm. If you are looking for a quieter, more intimate, evening, a romantic dinner at home is an option worth considering.
The good news is the wine will be a lot cheaper, leaving you in the enviable position of being able to buy a lot more wine for a lot less money. The cooking-athome part can be scary for some, but if they keep the menu simple, they could probably pull it off with a mix of takeout and home cooking.
Comfort dishes are always a big hit. Homemade stuffed pasta, now widely available, served with a homemade from-scratch sauce or a store-bought ragú, is hard to mess up. Ravioli, agnolotti or tortellini fit the bill, and your choice of romantic fillings could include ricotta cheese, mushrooms, lobster or butternut squash. Simply add sauce from any number of choices including tomato, cheese, olive oil or pesto, and you are good to go.
Crab cakes are another nobrainer, or if beef is your thing, a pair of T-bone steaks are a tasty solution and easy to prepare and grill. Ditto for grilled salmon. Add a salad and there you are.
Dessert can be equally simple to serve: Strawberries and fresh cream, crème brûlée, lemon cheesecake or a few well-chosen high quality chocolates are all available for takeout, making the finale spectacular, but easy to pull together.
Once the menu is organized, all you need for a romantic evening is a pair of quality wine glasses and a voluptuous bottle (or two) of delicious wine.
Today we offer some can’t-miss picks to set the mood for your romantic dinner. For extra added visual impact, not to mention some flavour enhancement, I suggest you decant all the still wines a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
Sparkling rosé becomes affordable at home, and if there is one day made for the bubbles with highly attractive rosé colour, perhaps it’s Valentine’s Day. Among my current favourites that are readily available: Champagne Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut ($96), Anna Spinato Spumante Rose Organic ($16), Bottega Moscato Petalo Il Vino Dell Amore ($17), Gray Monk Odyssey Rose Brut ($24), Jaillance Crémant de Bordeaux ($25) and Bottega Pinot Nero Rose Gold Brut ($30).
New World Pinot Noir should be popular on Valentine’s Day, given its rich, round, supple textures and voluptuous fruit flavours. Mouth-filling, round and soft, it has all the attributes for a romantic night. Perfect Pinots include: Morandé Reserva Pionero Pinot Noir ($16), Whitehaven ($24.49), MurphyGoode ($23), Tantalus ($28), La Crema ($36), and Quails’ Gate Family Reserve ($52).
Italian reds are full of romance, and there’s something inherently sexy about Rosso di Montalcino. Traditionally, a rosso is made from young vines and styled to be drunk much younger that its big brother Brunello di Montalcino. Our picks include Altesino ($28), Castiglioni del Bosco ($28), Banfi ($22) and Gianni Brunelli ($48). Among white wines, Chardonnay is a suitable Valentine’s Day pick (did you know you can pair it with a steak?), especially the richer California versions. A few favourites include: Rodney Strong ($25), Robert Mondavi ($29), Starmont ($39) and Cakebread ($68.99).
Finally, a glass of sweet wine with or without dessert is a perfect ending to any dinner. Tokaji Muscat Late Harvest Kereskedohaz ($19) or Hester Creek Late Harvest Pinot Blanc ($19) are good choices. After that, you are on your own.