Don’t look now but it’s Valentine’s Day.
But it’s still not too late to run out and spoil your sweetheart. Here’s my rundown on some bubbles, stickies, ports and other treats to make your Valentine’s dinner (or any other tryst) truly sweet.
I’ve seen my share of artfully themed labels but a trio caught my attention this year: Etike Blue Heart Pinot Grigio, 2014 (Sicily). Talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve, how about right on your bottle? Here’s a cute Valentine’s thought: an ingenious, pretty, blue pottery heart (with “I love you” in a few languages) doubles as a gushy label for this wine.
Apple and pear notes on top followed by a quite generous fruity palate. Fine as a sipper with white fish or chicken dishes (89 points, BCLS $17.49).
Gotin del Risc Bierzo Mencia 2013 (Bierzo)
This label gets points more for cuteness and creativity than actual readability. Nevermind. Inside is a well-made Spanish red (Mencia). “Gotin” in the local dialect means “a glass of wine shared between friends.” Bright berry fruit, medium-bodied with quite firm tannins plus spice and mineral hints (90 points, $17.99).
Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (McLaren Vale)
Here’s a wine that’s much more than a pretty face. Full frontal Cabernet, as only the Aussies know how, with intense red fruit and floral notes on the nose followed by mulberry, black fruit and spice with a hint of mint on the plush palate, luscious, structured and lingering (92 points, $35).
Rubinelli Vajol Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2011
Aromas of bright red and black berry fruits with a slightly savoury, beautifully textured entrance followed by a well-structured, dry palate with an excellent fruit-acid balance, firm dark cherry and plum notes, well-integrated tannins through a lengthy finish. A wonderfully polished example (92 points, $40).
Lanson Champagne NV Brut Rosé
Once sneered at by wine snobs, rosé has made a big comeback, and nothing says sexy quite like a seriously good rosé Champagne. Besides that, if you can make it last right through the meal, it’s a pretty versatile food wine. This very polished drop from one of France’s oldest houses sports pretty pale rose in the glass with fine bubbles. The Pinot character shows through with red fruit, plus citrus hints, good acidity and a crisp finish (91 points, $69.49).
For better or worse, chocolate and Valentine’s Day are inextricably linked. For years, chocolates have been given as a gift, as a sign of love, devotion or affection. It’s an ancient tradition that has its roots in chocolate’s Aztec beginnings (although we can be pretty sure that Montezuma never paired his with red wine. In fact, he drank it, often in the bath).
Steller’s Jay Sparkling Shiraz (Okanagan)
Another in-a-pinch match for dark chocolate with layers of black cherry and mocha notes under a fun and frothy dark crimson mousse. Pretty in the glass, and a definite crowd pleaser (90 points, $25.99).
Forbidden Fruit Cerise d’Eve (Similkameen)
Seductive and luscious port-style fortified wine from a little piece of paradise in Similkameen. Intense cherry flavours and toasty notes from oak aging. Think dark chocolate mousse and sipping by the fire (91 points, $29.95).
Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: [email protected].
