Ok,
it’s Valentine’s Day (2/14/2015). And like everyone else in
America (except for you REALLY slick people), you’re scrambling
to put something together for your spouse/love/like/crush.
I’m not big into the “Hallmark” holidays, as I like to call
them, but I do like Valentine’s Day because it’s a great opportunity
to take some time out of your crazy schedule to show someone
that you care.
If there’s a wine-lover in your life, I’m going to offer you
three suggestions for wines to either give as a gift or have
with dinner (which really, in my opinion, should be enough of
a gift, but then again I’m low maintenance in the gift arena,
much to M.C. Ice’s delight).
The bonus of giving wine: it’s an awesome last minute gift.
If you’ve got a good wine shop around, you should be able to
find any of these great wines easily and in a variety of prices
(as an FYI — the labels listed below are for illustration purposes
only, so you can see what to look for. With the exception of
the Darioush, I haven’t reviewed any of these wines).
A great white option: Viognier (Vee-ohn-YAY)
I’m kind of embarrassed that I haven’t reviewed one of these
on the blog because they are so luscious and delicious, but
c’est la vie (the grape is native to the Northern Rhone, so
I feel the gratuitous use of this cheesy phrase is warranted).
This is a good way to ingratiate yourself to a white wine lover.
Why this wine? Although I love wines that are like a bowl of
acid and minerals, I think that may send the wrong message on
Valentine’s Day. An austere wine may make the recipient feel
like you’re calling him/her an icy, cold, and acetic person.
Everyone reads into stuff, so spare yourself.
For Valentine’s Day something floral, fruity, and sensual are
much more appropriate. Viogner fits the bill — it tends to be
full-bodied, rich with peach, apricot and honeysuckle flavor,
and like liquid silk in your mouth. It’s a fragrant, happy,
forthcoming wine in flavor and texture and your sweetie will
definitely appreciate the idea that a wine with this exuberant
a profile reminds you of them.
If you’re going out to dinner or cooking dinner, there is no
better match for any cheese (except bleu) than Viognier. It
also pairs well with salads, appetizer courses, and pasta with
cream sauces. It’s so aromatic and delicious, that it’s a great
wine for pre-dinner imbibing too!
Price Ranges: Options range from a California or Australian
version for around $10 to the really expensive stuff for $90
from Condrieu, at the far north of the Northern Rhone Valley
in France.
BTW–My advice for this wine and the suggestions that follow
would be to pick a price point commensurate with your pocketbook,
AND with the seriousness of the relationship…don’t go overboard
for a new love, friends. But this is not a romance column, so
let’s get to pick #2…
Options within an Option: Valpolicella
Italian is such a romantic language, that I think just giving
something from this country of the language of passion and love
will score you major points. Valpolicella (val-pole-ahh-CHELL-ah)
or, if you want to spend the coin, Amarone (am-a-RHONE-eh) are
two great picks.
Why this wine? There are so many styles and flavors depending
on the type you get, that this seemingly simple wine can have
layers of intrigue…a very romantic concept, no? Made of a blend
of Corvina, Molinara, and Rondinella grapes native to the Veneto
(near Venice) region, these are multi-faceted wines, to say
the least.
Here are your options:
Valpolicella Classico: If you want to keep things light, here’s
the way to go. This is a pretty simple wine but full of red
berry and floral aromas. It tastes very fruity with just a hint
of acidity for balance — it’s not such a serious wine, but it’s
a pretty fun one. Food: If you don’t like white wines this can
be a good substitute — it’s great for vegetarian dishes, especially
those with an Italian influence.
Price: Generally below $18
Valpolicella Classico Superiore: A much more serious wine than
the Classico, this one may have done some time in oak barrels
or been through the Ripasso method, where the wine is passed
over skins and seeds from dried grapes to give it some extra
tannins and mature flavors. If it’s been in oak it has mouth-drying
tannins and a healthy dose of vanilla and wood flavors added
to the fruitiness of the grapes. If it’s done Ripasso style,
expect raisined flavors, a slight bitterness from the skins
and seeds, and a fuller, more complex variety of things going
on in the glass. Food: This wine is a big step up from the one
above (consider your messaging, and don’t give it to the person
you’re breaking up with tomorrow!). Mushrooms, hearty meats,
and stews would be a good match.
Price: From about $14 – $95 depending on quality level.
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