Valentine's Day Wines

On February 14, many of us will be getting all lovey-dovey, buying roses — maybe even a full dozen — and sharing a meal with our sweetie, with a good wine, of course. This could happen at home with a dinner we've lovingly prepared together or at a favourite establishment, so we don't have to 'lovingly' do the dishes.

It's not easy to pick wines for others for this occasion, because even the best sommeliers know that you could be eating different things and that everyone has their own wine preferences.

That said, some wine styles and even particular wines come to mind as perfect Valentwines: wines that bring out the love. Not in public though, please. A Valentwine might be the most memorable wine from your first date together. It might be the wine you shared on your wedding night, hopefully even some champagne. My favourite Valentwines — once the champagne is gone, that is — are what I call "sexy" wines. Here are some of my top suggestions.

Red Wines

My top three sexy red grapes are gamay, grenache and pinot noir. When made well, they are pretty, with bright red fruit, yet they all have a serious streak — they are much more than chill and chug vino.

Grenache tends to be a bit more voluptuous, especially if it is from Australia. The Rhône Valley and Spain have great grenache and blends anchored on it, too. But I don't think there is a sexier wine than good Cru Beaujolais. Saint Amour if you can find it. Even basic Beaujolais makes me feel the love. Not Nouveau — it is far too fleeting.

As for sexy pinot noir, unless you are willing to splurge, you may have to settle for wines from the New World, such as Central Otago in New Zealand (Cupid's Arrow, perhaps?),  California, South America, South Africa or even bottles from right here in Canada, where pinot noir's reputation continues to grow. That said, recent warm vintages in Burgundy are resulting in $20 wines that are quite ripe and seductive.

Do you feel Italian wines speak your language of love? If so, I suggest barbera or, my favourite, dolcetto. Although an aged, quality barolo or barbaresco could certainly earn you a smooch. Molto sexy!

White Wines

If you are looking for sensual white Valentwines, then think full-bodied. That could be chardonnay, but if you want to steer away from the obvious, try viognier, Alsace pinot gris (or made in that style from elsewhere, like British Columbia) or gewurztraminer. Even a quality riesling with some age on it could be a lovely option. I actually consider that my second sexiest wine.

But my first choice, lovely gamay, could you, would you be my Valentwine?

Photo by photogdan.com