Without doubt, many will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day this year by dining out. The pleasure of sitting in a favourite restaurant, with good food, a lengthy wine list and the romance dialled up, will never again be taken for granted.
However, for those who for whatever reason, choose to mark this celebration of love and romance at home, the evening will invariably include something special to eat and a decent bottle of wine.
To make that as easy as possible, we have put together a few special occasion wines to get the party started and nothing, I mean nothing, starts a party quite like bubbles.
Valdo Paradise Rosé Brut - Strokes of vermilion on rose petals, fine bubbles on raspberry, there is a whole whirlwind of sensations going on here from Valdo and all wrapped up in this beautiful bottle reflecting the colours, flowers, plants, animals and elements of Paradise. Serve as an aperitif or with a winter salad, fish, shellfish, light meat dishes and yes, Pizza!
Casanova Treixadura Ribeiro - Label reference to Giacomo Casanova, the Italian adventurer and romancer who was born in the city of Venice at a time when it thrived as the pleasure capital of Europe cannot be lost on this of all days. Think southern Burgundy without the price tag. Unctuous, decadent, with honey, orange blossom and pear but light and well balanced with a clean finish. What more do you want…
Martoccia Rosso di Montalcino - To quote Food and Wine Magazine "At last! Some real excitement from Tuscany, in the shape of this tasty number." From the hill town of Montalcino in the province of Siena in central Italy, Rosso di Montalcino should not be considered the little brother of Brunello, but a wine of great distinction and depth. Black cherry and wild berries unite with vanilla, spice and all things nice. And how is that label for romance!
Bodegas Gutierrez Colosia Oloroso 37.5cl - If time is of the essence but you want your expression of love immortalised, look no further that an Oloroso Sherry and grazing board, graced with the best Irish charcuterie and cheeses. Serve the Oloroso slightly chilled and those nutty aromas combined with balsamic, subtle dried fruits and toasted hints will bring all the romance of a balmy evening in Andalucia. Finish with some dark chocolate and hey, who knows what might happen.
Some Irish Artisan grazing board suggestions…
Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese Wicklow Bán 150g . Durrus Óg 250g . Gubbeen Oak Smoked Gubbeen 390g . Ballyhubbock Farm Irish Handmade Sheep Milk Halloumi 150g . Gubbeen Chorizo 100g . Gubbeen Salami 120g . . Duncannon Smokehouse Organic Smoked Irish Salmon 100g . Abernethy Dulse & Sea Salt butter 100g . Drummond House Irish Garlic Scape Sauce & Dip with a hint of chilli 100g . Bláth na Mara Aran Island Seaweed Aioli 100g . Pure Food Company Rocket & Garlic Pesto 180g . Bean and Goose Umami Seaweed Single Origin Dark Ecuador 62% 70g . Bean and Goose Totally Love Collection 140g
Author: Julie Ward
