WINES TO WOO AND WOW YOUR SPECIAL VALENTINE
Today we preview several wine styles that you might consider for Valentine’s Day along with some matching food ideas.
If you are planning a night at home, which for most wine drinkers usually means more wine for less money, you have plenty of time to select the appropriate wine. We also offer some thoughts on food to support the wines, and vice versa, and keep it simple but fun.
It’s fair to say that cooking at home can be a challenge for those not used to it, but our advice remains steady: keep the menu simple and stick to comfort dishes and the evening will be a success.
Failing that, takeout is equally acceptable, especially given that you can buy nearly anything you desire already prepared and get it delivered to your door.
Rosé is always a fun wine on Valentine’s Day, and we begin with affordable and delicious drinking Gerard Bertrand Cote Des Roses Rosé ($24.95). You will get full points for serving this Sud de France rosé that comes in a spectacular bottle whose base looks like a floral bouquet.
Bertrand will be in Vancouver for the 2020 Vancouver International Wine Festival, giving you another reason to open it for knowledgeable wine drinkers. Rosé is also food-friendly, allowing you to serve it with sushi, jamon, cheese or even a whole-roasted chicken or pork tenderloin.
Pinot Noir will be a big seller on the 14th, given its rich, round, supple textures and voluptuous fruit flavours. There’s plenty to choose from in B.C. or further south from Oregon or California. Duck, mushrooms, fowl, and root vegetables all work with Pinot Noir and its soft tannins. The ultimate bargain pick is the Santa
Carolina Pinot Noir Reserva (Leyda Chile, on sale at $10.99).
If there is one day made for sparkling wine with a highly attractive rosé colour, it is Valentine’s Day. Among my current rosé Champagne favourites are the Louis Roederer Brut Rosé Champagne 2013 ($97.99).
A rare, infusion-style rosé made with Pinot Noir grapes that sit in the tank for seven to 10 days before joining some fermenting Chardonnay.
Juicy and bright, you will love its raspberry, cherry, red apple flavours streaked with grapefruit acidity. Similarly, the Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut ($99.99) with its light, raspberry salmon colour and nutty, citrus, creamy raspberry aromas and creamy strawberry, baked-apple flavours should not be missed.
Consider matching your sparkling rosé with store-bought or homemade stuffed pasta. Ravioli, agnolotti or tortellini stuffed with your favourite romantic fillings could include ricotta cheese, mushrooms, lobster or butternut squash.
If there is to be meat, there is nothing simpler or tastier than grilled T-bone steaks or veal chops. Add a Caesar salad and let that red wine fill in the edges. Any number of California Cabernet Sauvignon will fit the bill, as well as local Cabernet Franc, Merlot or Meritage.
We like Bartier Bros. Cabernet Franc Cerqueira Vineyard (Okanagan Valley, $25.99), Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Sonoma County, Calif., $27.49), Stags’ Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (Napa Valley, Calif., $69.99), or Phantom Creek Estates Phantom Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Oliver, $80).
For extra visual impact, not to mention some flavour enhancement, we suggest you decant all the still wines a minimum
of 15 to 30 minutes before serving. Dessert should be as equally simple as dinner.
Strawberries and fresh cream, pannacotta, crème brûlée, cheesecake or a few well-chosen high-quality chocolates and you are all set.
Now, the rest is up to you.