Hey there!

I know Valentine’s day is next Monday, but I am posting this now to help you get ready earlier just in case you are going to celebrate over the weekend instead of Monday. Maybe, I am wrong about that, but we rarely go out during the week. Maybe we are lazy from being together for years or maybe we just want to go on a night where we can relax and not think about things like I have a report due in the morning or I have a meeting to prepare for.

I am not a high maintenance woman. I am sure all women say this, but really all I want is your full undivided attention and I am happy, so this is why we are celebrating over the weekend instead of waiting until the actually day. I also have a struggle because my sweetheart’s birthday is a few days before cupid shows up, so if planned correctly, I can kill two birds with one stone!

So what wines will I be having? Or should I discuss what wines will WOW your main squeeze? I have to say Valentine’s day is all about red and pink. This is a time to celebrate something only the two of you share, each other…so I am all in for the bubbles! Champagne or sparkling wine is my go to on February 14th. I love the “pink” bubbles, I think they taste great and look very festive. Most of the time if you are drinking Champagne, you are having a blend of 3 grapes, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Here are some things to keep in mind.

You might see Blanc de Blanc, this is normally Chardonnay grapes made into Champagne.

If you see Blanc de Noir, this is normally Pinot Noir made into “Pink” Champagne.

These are very loose rules because sparkling and champagnes can be made in either the traditional “Methode Champenoise”, where the secondary fermentation happens in the bottle to create the bubbles. The other process is a bulk champagne making process is called Charmat. The carbon dioxide is added to the pressurized tanks, it is way cheaper than the traditional way to make champagne. The product is still quite good with bigger more lose bubbles.

There are also some very fun sparklers out there made from other grapes like shiraz from down under deep garnet colored wine with bubbles!

Anyway, I will order a glass of sparkling to start out dinner and then with dinner we will order something big and red and beautiful. I am sure we will find a great bottle on the wine list, we love Napa reds, Silver Oak, Cakebread, Jordan and Opus One, but we seem to be on a Chilean wine kick, we love the Cabernets and Malbecs. I am hoping to find a big red velvety wine we will enjoy with steak, we are heading to Fogo de Chao and I know it will be great.

Go get your red or pink on and remember that any wine can create a special moment! You get one Valentine’s day a year, celebrate your love and your love of wine!

Have fun and Much LOVE and wine,

Tammi