Valentine’s Day Wines for Your Romantic Dinner

By Sherrie Gulmahamad on February 4th, 2010

Wine-lg Everyone’s such a fan of hitting the town on Valentine’s Day, but the shucking and jiving of finding the perfect restaurant, getting reservations weeks in advance, and then dragging yourself through all the other couples on the planet to get there…I just don’t think it’s very romantic anymore. And in this raging recession that threatens to consume us all, it’s not all that fiscally responsible either. A stay-at-home dinner, thoughtfully prepared and executed, is also a wonderful alternative. Splurge on some bacon-wrapped filet mignon, or if you’re a vegetarian/vegan, head to your farmer’s market for something fresh and interesting that’s in season. Clean up the dining room, find your best tablecloth, set the table, light some candles, chill the wine – and look. You’re automatically a lot closer to the bedroom than you would have been in that restaurant.

Here are some wine choices that might…lubricate the evening so to speak. And no, not in that way. Jeeze. Guttermind!

1- Prosecco

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Prosecco is a dry Italian sparkling wine, known for its light convivial bubbliness, notes of white peach and apricot, and easy drinkability. It is the base of a Bellini (Prosecco and peach puree), or you can have it in a Spritz (Prosecco and Campari), or in a Mimosa (Prosecco and orange juice). Or you can just drink it right before you dive into your salad in an elegant fluted glass. Want to impress your date? Open a bottle of Prosecco, Cava, or Champagne without the mess by *holding the cork – wrapped in a kitchen towel – and turning the bottle.* One. Class. Act.

Try: Mionetto Il Prosecco

2- Pinot Noir

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Ah, the elegance of Pinot Noir, the wine that properly launched the Santa Barbara wine scene and nearly gave Paul Giamatti an Oscar. Pinot Noir is counted among the greatest varietals on the planet, known for being a bit sensitive and hard to work with, but making the smooth and highly prized Burgandies of France. It can be pretty light to medium bodied, with cherry and currant characteristics. And as I might say after I’ve nearly consumed half a bottle, “It’s real purty in the glass.” Pinot noir goes swimmingly with salmon, turkey, pork loin, lamb, portobello mushrooms, nearly every dang thing, it’s food friendly. Get to cooking.

Try: Melville’s 2008 Verna’s Pinot Noir

3- Syrah

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Syrah is a peppery spicy juicy full-bodied mo-fo that might not be for everyone, especially you wishy washy chardonnay fans, but there’s something about a big hedonistic mouthful of this smokey blackberry bomb that should inspire you to more – fleshy activities. And listen, I’ve given you a secret back door way out should you not want to cook tonight, but you still want to stay in. Syrah goes great with BBQ and burgers, even veggie burgers. You could always pick something up and take it home and present it lovingly on a platter with a big bottle of Syrah. Cheapest Valentine’s Day ever? Maybe. You gonna see some action? Definitely.

Try: Mollydooker’s 2008 The Boxer Shiraz

4- Port, served with chocolate

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Now we are in sensual land! Port is pretty sweet stuff but oddly enough, it goes so well with that known aphrodisiac, chocolate. You don’t need to drink giant snifters full of port (which is basically wine plus even MORE alcohol to fortify it), you can take tiny sips, and nibble some strong dark chocolate to counterbalance it. Blue cheese also goes well with port but doesn’t make for…an ideal kissing environment (yew). I think there’s always something nice about whipping out a dessert wine. It shows you’re not in a rush, that you’ve put some thought into the entire meal from beginning to end – and that sweet port on the lips should inspire more romantic activities.