Valentine’s Day

There is somewhat of a mystery about February. The month starts off with Groundhogs Day and that sleepy rodents prediction of our forthcoming weather. This day of prognostication is followed by Super Bowl Sunday; a day of mass sports hysteria when grownups can again act like children. After the mess around the television is cleaned and the excitement forgotten, we have Valentine’s Day; a time of peace, love and calm contentment.

Valentine’s Day has changed in recent years with the recognition of the equality of women; now the guys are also the recipients of Valentine’s Day love gifts. Since this is a wine column, you know what our subject will be; who gives what and to whom.
The wine industry has adjusted to the fact that women have become a major influence in the wine marketplace. As female winemakers began to emerge into the winemaking business, consumers discovered that the wines they made were fruitier and softer than the former stiff French style of winemaking which had historically been tailored mainly toward the male pallet.

For the girl in your life we would like to suggest;

Smoking Loon Sweet Red Wine ($10) This wine is just what the label says it is; a sweet very fruity red wine that can accompany almost any food and opens the healthful benefits of red wine to those who do not enjoy the traditional dry style.

Barefoot Cellars Bubbly Moscato Spumanti ($8.99). This wine covers all bases, a sweet sparkling wine at a very reasonable price. She will be excited by the bubbles and delighted by the flavor and can make any guy a hero.

Biltmore Estate Pas de Deux ($18.99). This sparkling wine carries the prestigious Biltmore name and is produced by the owners of the famed Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. This wine is also sweet but not overly sweet for the girl who likes her wines a bit drier.

Pommery Brut Royal ($39.99). If you are looking to really impress her, a true French Champagne is called for and there are few better or more French than the Champagnes of Pommery.

The Crusher 2010 Viognier ($14). A dry white, but very fruity white wine and a perfect escape from the all too familiar chardonnay.

Van Duzer 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Rosé ($16). If pink is her color, here is a dynamite wine that will truly impress her with the quality of the wine and the depth of your emotions.

For the gal to give the guy;

Charles Krug 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($27). This is the wine that would delight any true cabernet lover and will be a sure hit.

Red Rock 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir ($13.99).Pinot noir is the darling of the red wine set because it is not as hard and austere as a cabernet sauvignon and considerably more fruity; he will love it.

Don Miguel Gascon 2009 Malbec ($14). Malbec’s have a definite and interesting flavor and this variety is also currently finding great favor among red wine lovers.

Churchill’s 1999 Late Bottled Vintage Porto ($25). Port is the famed wine of the upper crust and distinguished gentlemen. It is a wine that bespeaks elegance and a truly impressive gift.

Pierre Ferrand Ambre 1er Cru De Cognac Grande Champagne ($45/750ml). This is a fine and well made Cognac for the Brandy lover in your life. The Champagne in the name has nothing to do with the sparkling wine, it is the name of a district in the Cognac grape growing area.

Sempé V.S.O.P. Armagnac ($48/750ml). Like a Cognac but not a Cognac. Strong flavors and incredible smoothness mark this brandy. If he has never experienced an Armagnac he will really enjoy this one.

John B. Stetson Kentucky Dour Mash Bourbon ($26.99). If he is of the he-man type like the detectives in the movies of the late forties he will definitely be pro Bourbon and the John B. Stetson is a well made, smooth new entrant into the field.