Champagne, with a ripe red strawberry, how perfect for a romantic moment.
A favorite red wine, would that be perfect? Or something different?
Bonny Doon Vineyard the eclectic and quirky winery in Santa Cruz, California, led by their ever imaginative founder Randal Grahm has created a sexy Framboise called Framboise, Infusion of Raspberries. It is wonderful alone, chilled or over crushed ice with a touch of lemon; in champagne as a Kir Framboise; over a decedent chocolate dessert, or.. We’ll leave that to your imagination.
John Bonne, MSNBC Life Style Editor, extols the delight of 
the one uniquely American red wine, Zinfandel. He opens his article Zinfandel: The big, red Valentine wine describing Zin as a hearty, fruit-packed Zin that should be a perfect match for romance. It is not hard to agree but I must disclose that I just finished a favorite Zin, Green and Red, it is delicious. Find it a Amanti Vino, Shoppers Vineyard, Wine Legend.
Long before I knew much about wine, our "wedding planner" suggested a wine for this once in a live time event, Sancere. So this wine holds a special place in our heart as a perfect Valentine wine. This Sancere from Wine Library is a delight worth trying. With it's "Nice bony style, with chive, sweet pea, lime and mineral flavors rippling through a lengthy finish" it goes well with cheese or a dish with cream sauce.
In a totally different direction, the ever intriguing Wall S
treet Journal wine columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, in an article last week suggest, "There are many good wine choices for Valentine's Day. Red Burgundy, when it's right, is as smooth and seductive as velvet. You can never go wrong with Champagne, especially rose Champagne. Here's another idea, one that will really make this year's Valentine's Day memorable: A Vintage Port with some age on it."
Ports can be very expensive, the older the more $$$. In Dorothy and John's tasting the prices ran from a Dow's 1983 at $80 to a Dow's 1963 at $300.
At Gary's Wine, and other stores, you can find some delicious Ports in perhaps a more affordable range like Graham Six Grapes Port or Cockburn Special Reserve for a more modest price. At Amanti Vino they have a Tawny Port that is extrodinary.
Looking for more ideas? Take a look at, NJ Wine Goddess, Debbie Miller Nelson's suggestions for Valentine's day. Wine Goddess Web Log.
But as you enjoy your Valentines day remember this:
Intoxicated by the Wine of Love
By Sufi Poet, Farid od Din Attar
Intoxicated by the Wine of Love.
From each a mystic silence Love demands.
What do all seek so earnestly? 'Tis Love.
What do they whisper to each other? Love.
Love is the subject of their inmost thoughts.
In Love no longer 'thou' and 'I' exist,
For Self has passed away in the Beloved.
Now will I draw aside the veil from Love,
And in the temple of mine inmost soul,
Behold the Friend; Incomparable Love.
He who would know the secret of both worlds,
Will find the secret of them both, is Love.
- Farid ud Din Attar - translation Margaret Smith -
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
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