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Columnist Tim Pawsey makes some rosé recommendations for Valentine's Day

Roses are red Violets are blue But what would you think If we only drank pink? The Hired Belly has been busy checking his Valentine’s Day shopping list, and pondering just which wines might be best to go along with this upcoming holiday.
Valentine's Day hearts

Roses are red
Violets are blue
But what would you think
If we only drank pink?


The Hired Belly has been busy checking his Valentine’s Day shopping list, and pondering just which wines might be best to go along with this upcoming holiday.
I’m tempted to throw caution to the wind with this year’s crop of Valentine’s wines by adhering to the first golden rule: Drink what you like (with a few caveats to watch for when deciding what to drink with your chosen aphrodisiac).

The fact is, however, it’s tough to get away from rosé. After all, what looks more romantic than a glass of pink bubble?

Leading the pack is the latest unabashedly pink salute from Haywire: Haywire Pink Bub 2012. I love the whole idea of The Bub, from its catchy name to the no-fuss-no-muss crown cap that’s a cinch to open. This latest offering strikes just the right balance with not too overt cherry notes wrapped into its crunchy green apple personality before a crisp, clean finish. Yes, you could even share it (if you have to), and it would work well with fresh shucked oysters and a small splash of raspberry vinaigrette ($24.90, 90 points).

Hot on the Bub’s heels (and a shoo-in if you’re not inclined to “drink pink”) comes Bella 2012 “West Side” Chardonnay. Also under crown cap, with lots of bubbles in the glass, and a textured, creamy, toasty apple-toned palate, this has me thinking about Dungeness crab, steamed and cracked, with a little lemon butter on the side (Private Wine Stores, $24- $26, 90 points).

If you’re looking for a more off-dry style, why not make a date with Moscato? The U.S. market has gone crazy for Moscato in just about every incarnation, not all of it noteworthy.

However, here’s a lively, sweeter bubble that may just surprise you, starting with the fact that it comes from Brazil: Terra Andina Sparkling Moscato. Fun, frothy and lively with stonefruit and tropical notes on the palate. Easy sipping, or you could even pair it with chocolate (even Jaffa cakes!), BCLS $15.99, 88 points.

It would be nothing short of improper to omit Riesling from any list of Valentine’s recommendations so, no surprise, here’s: Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Series 2012 Riesling. Stone fruit and a correct hint of petrol on the nose (which suggests it should develop nicely), followed by a juicy, well-balanced  just off-dry palate with vibrant stonefruit and gentle citrus, before a lingering, clean finish. Whip up some fresh mussels with linguini and a lightly spiced sauce for a perfect match and a romantic dinner (Private Stores, great value at $13.99, 89 points).

• • •

There was a lot of Sonoma County Pinot Noir in glasses around town this week, not the least of which was Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2012. This silky smooth, full-fruited pinot paired perfectly with Brix Restaurant’s 24-hour brined pork rack, black pepper and housemade bacon, with eggplant caviar, and pistachio roma tomato. That meal seems to include all the Valentine’s Day food groups, especially bacon. Track it down (the wine, that is) at Everything Wine, $31.99, 90 points.

• • •

Belly’s Budget Best
Oops! Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for clever packaging, as long as what’s inside measures up, and in this case it does. Carmenere 2012 sports a clever (not so little) label that documents the improbable but true story of how most of what used to pass for Merlot in Chile was actually Carmenère. It’s juicy, not fancy, quite chewy, a little bit spicy and a touch earthy. And if those brackets remind you of something, yes, there is a vague (Yellow Tail) connection. Think barbecued protein. Good value at BCLS $14.93, 88 points.

Tim Pawsey covers food and wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: info@hiredbelly.com.