Author: Dirk Chan
Valentine’s is a special day for lovers and we’ve written in our latest blog with wines appropriate for sharing with that someone special. Love-themed, chocolates, sweet wines and pink themes in the following dozen recommendations:
1) NV Langlis-Chateau Brut Rosé (Loire Valley, France) – $26.99 – From the makers of Bollinger (the one James Bond drinks), this brilliantly color sparkling pink offers notes of cherry and strawberry with superb acidity. Great starter aperitif to pair with all sorts of appetizers.
2) NV Henri Billiot et Fils Rosé (Champagne, France) – $62.99 – the real thing, French Champagne, made from 80% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay. Stellar, earthy, wonderfully complex and yeasty. Class.
3) 1990 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Cave Privee Brut (Champagne, France) – $259.99 – A library release from Veuve, this ready to drink 1990 (one of the great vintages) is for those who want to impress. Stunning hardwood packaging, elegant and sophisticated with great nuance and breed. Extremely limited.
4) 2009 Hupfeld Hochheimer Konigin Victoriaberg Riesling Spatlese (Rheingau, Germany) – $31.99 – a sweet white named after Queen Victoria, this wine is fit for royalty, your queen – pair with something spicy.
5) 2012 Bodegas Sierra Norte Pasion de Bobal Rosé (Valencia, Spain) – $17.99 -. ‘Pasion’ Rosé is made from the little known Bobal grape, rich and velvety. Organically grown, this offer stunning strawberry pink in color, fruity, well balanced and food friendly. Beautiful label of tree with heart-shaped leaves in this Spanish still pink…
6) 2011 Fita Preta Sexy Tinto (Alentejo, Portugal) – $21.99 – ‘Sexy’ speaks for itself, incredible neon pink label and the wine is also great. This popular red is arriving this wednesday just in time for your Valentine.
7) 2011 Boekenhoutskloof ‘The Chocolate Block’ (Franschoek, South Africa) – $43.99 – French inspired darkly mysterious red whose boldness, sweetness, and bouquet is said to resemble a block of dark chocolate.
8) 2011 Mollydooker Carnival of Love Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $124.99 – Gorgeous label design appropriately named. Extremely limited full-bodied shiraz.
9) 2001 Corte Sant’Alda Recioto – 500mL (Veneto, Italy) – $74.99 – Sweet black fruits, chocolate and raisins sing from the glass in this Italian red dessert wine. Great with gorgonzola.
10) 2001 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – 375mL (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – $94.99 – marvelous Sauterne from the legendary 2001 vintage. This offers pineapple, peach, caramel, candied lemon and custard notes; for those looking for a world class dessert wine to end the evening! Pair with fruit based desserts.
11) 2012 La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – $25.99 – slightly effervescent, smells like Chanel No.5, light as a feather, sweet and a heavenly pairing for fresh strawberries & cream. From one of the original inventors of the Moscato d’Asti style. Works either at the beginning or end of a meal.
12) Flying Monkeys Chocolate Manifesto – 750mL Bottle (Ontario, Canada) – $16.49 – for those looking for a different alternative for a chocolate pairing, a Canadian mircobrew beer.
Please contact us if you have special needs in selecting specific wines that would make your Valentine’s Day truly memorable.
Happy Valentine’s everyone!