Hallmark holiday…Isn’t that what most call February 14th these days? I guess society has become cynical in its old age. It is true (you will have to admit), that it has become one of those holidays where many of us (especially those of the male gender) feel obligated to do something for our significant other. As tradition would have it, most of us resort to a card, flowers and a reservation for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. I was told by someone in the hospitality industry, that if you don’t book out at your eating establishment on V-Day, you probably won’t stay in business long.
There you have it. Spend a few minutes shopping for a funny or romantic card, grab a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store, and make that reservation for dinner a couple of days in advance…Another Valentines Day in the books. If that’s the way you play it, then stop reading this article now, because the rest of this will just be white noise to you. For those of you who feel like you would like to think outside the box or add a personal touch to V-Day and be a little creative this year, read on.
Are you at least slightly comfortable with your abilities in the kitchen? I will speak from my personal experience and say that doing a little cooking for your sweetheart on Valentines Day is a big hit. Depending on your skill level, pick something you can handle. It doesn’t have to be fancy to make an impression. Simply the fact that you are taking the time and doing something on your own speaks volumes. If you go that route, avoid something like meatloaf, unless for some reason your partner likes that so much that it is a no-brainer. Otherwise, focus on something that you feel will be enjoyed by both of you, and will not get you stuffed, so you are in the mood for other activities (get my drift).
If you go the shellfish route, there are many wines at your disposal. New Zealand has abundant choices in Sauvignon Blanc anywhere from ten bucks a bottle to twenty-five. You could go Sancerre, if you know your partner likes bone-dry whites. All of them worth their weight are over twenty bucks. If you are on somewhat of a tight budget, find a white from Cotes de Gascogne in France. You can find a bunch of these in a very reasonable price range, and most deliver a big bang for the buck. They are usually a blend of Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Petit Manseng. Recently I tried an excellent version…A blend of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc from Domaine Du Tariquet for only twelve bucks.
If salmon is available, which is a great choice because it is easy to prepare and it is a very romantic dish (at least in my opinion), Pinot Noir is the ringer. Just be careful that you don’t get to eclectic with your choice here. Another words, you may like stinky, earthy pinots, but more than likely your partner won’t. Keep it safe with a Pinot Noir from the Rogue Valley in Oregon, or the Russian River Valley and Carneros in California. Why? These are warmer climate areas and will give you Pinot Noir with a touch of baby fat or love handles. They will fall into the delicious category, which is always a safe place to be on a dinner date (compromise is important).
A beef dish may be your choice, and the list is endless when it comes to red wine selections. The K.I.S.S. method (makes sense for Valentines Day…No pun intended) is suggested in this case (keep it simple stupid). Red blends are a huge play these days, and I think you will hit a home-run if you choose a solid blend with cab, merlot and syrah as some of the key varietals in the wine. Cabernet is also a solid choice and it isn’t hard to find a cab that is very drinkable even at a youthful age. Go blend go cab, and you will be a hit.
Wine and food are the foundation of our society, and they deserve recognition on a celebration where love and commitment are reinforced. I hope all of you have a great Valentines Day with your loved one, and if you need help finding a good wine for the occasion, check out my latest YouTube episodes or fire me an email and I will be more than happy to help you.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
