Author: Dirk Chan
Valentine’s is coming up fast on Tuesday. So, you want that special wine to make the evening just perfect? Whether its a BYOB to a restaurant, or a special meal at home, here are some wine choices that will fill the bill nicely:
Sparkling Wines: – Bubbles are a must for any special celebration with Champagne being the ultimate.
1) NV Rolet Cremant du Jura Brut Rosé – $24.99 – lovely salmon colored sparkler that works with appetizers.
2) 2010 Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti (375mL) – $15.99 – for those with a sweet tooth, this is light as a feather, amazing perfumy nose and sweet – an awesome pairing with fresh strawberries at the beginning or at the end of that special meal.
3) NV Gremillet Brut Rosé Saignee – $56.99 – stunning pink/ruby in color, this Champagne sings with rustic acidity, startling dryness – stellar look that impresses and well priced for Champagne.
4) 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut – $254.99 – one of the great names in Champagne, the orange label house, this is the top of the heap, the creme de la creme from Veuve. Its got complexity from aging and is drinking extremely well now. Elegant and sophisticated with obvious breed.
Whites: – great with opening courses and works well with fish or poultry as main courses:
1) 2009 Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis – $26.99 – slatey and minerally Chardonnay that works well with food, from the great 2009 French vintage.
2) 2010 Emrich-Schonleber Monziger Fruhlingspatzchen Riesling Trocken – $39.99 – a minerally, dry German Riesling. Pair with food – this is for those that are non-believers or have never had a stellar Riesling, this will be your Riesling epiphany..
3) 2009 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Hauserer – $60.99 – from the first Master of Wine in Europe, Zind-Humbrecht is one of the most respected producers in the world. Only slightly off-dry, lots of exotic fruit and layers of complexity.
Reds – when you want something impressive to drink with dinner or afterwards by the fireplace:
1) 2008 Umani Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Jorio – $19.99 – one of deVine’s favourites of late, this takes pizza and spaghetti wine to a new level.
2) 2008 Quiinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines – $42.99 – Wine Spectator Top 100 wine that shines with an hour of decanting. Perennial favourite and consistently outstanding.
3) 2008 Keenan Cabernet Franc – $78.99 – fabulous Napa red that is distinctive and unsual, 100% CabFranc, stunning nose of flowers and violets and fruit aplenty that lingers on and on. Red meat pairing.
4) 2006 Leonetti Merlot – $99.99 – from a Washington producer famous for producing world class Merlot. Soft and velvety. Watch ‘Sideways’ with a bottle of Leonetti and you’ll not look at Merlot the same ever again.
5) 2001 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino Ugolaia – $149.99 – from the legendary 2001 vintage for Brunello’s, this single vineyard red will drink well with an hour’s decant and some braised meats. Fabulous sangiovese.
6) 1994 Dominus – $349.99 – A legendary American wine, one of the all time greats, the 1994 is near perfection and drinking magnificently. From Christian Moueix of Petrus fame.
7) 1983 Chateau Margaux – $1,199.99 – for those where money is no object, the 1983 Margaux has long been a favourite for any lover of Bordeaux from the Margaux appellation. Heralded as good as the 1982, this is singing right now, but will keep for another 20 years easily. Delicate yet powerful, classy and expressive, everything an aged First Growth Bordeaux should be. A memory maker.
Dessert – a must for Valentine’s:
1) 2009 Quady Elysium Black Muscat – 375mL – $13.99 – Lovely and inexpensive and one of the best wines to pair with chocolate based desserts.
2) 2007 Rudolf Rabl Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese – 375mL – $47.99 – a stellar Austrian white to be paired with fruit based desserts, the exotic tropical fruit and scintillating acidity make for a memorable combination of smell and taste.
3) 2004 Trabucchi Recioto della Valpolicella – 500mL – $61.99 – for chocolate or some blue-veined cheese and nuts, this is a comtemplative red dessert wine that calls for snuggling by the fireplace.
4) 2003 Chateau d’Yquem – 375mL – $329.99 – when only the best will do – d’Yquem is generally recognized as the best dessert wine in the world, and this out of this world stickie will stay with you for days. Serve closer to room temperature than fridge cold, by itself or with cambozola. A memorable end to any evening!
Port – for those who want something to go with a cigar in the parlour! – lol
1) Quinta do Infantado 10 Year Old Tawny – $44.99 – for the creme brulee pairing, this is not too sweet, and whatever’s not finished can be stored in the fridge over 3-4 weeks.
2) 1967 Barros Colheita – $169.99 – absolutely amazing that something 45 years old can taste this alive. Totally unforgettable, the dried fruits and nuts go on and on for minutes on your tongue. An indulgence!
3) 1985 Fonseca Vintage Port – $279.99 – A future legend, but you can see its greatness now if you decant for 7-8 hours. Along with Graham’s the two greatest ports from the 1985 declared vintage. Undeniably great and the accolades totally warranted. This is special indeed!
Shop early to avoid disappointment.
Happy Valentine’s everybody!.