Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s a time for romantic dinners and connecting with your loved one. What better way to celebrate that connection than with a glass of fine wine? When I asked my wife what wines she would recommend, she quickly replied, “Pink wine! The pink color will help set the mood!”
Makes sense to me. So this year, instead of giving your other half a flower rose, why not give a rosé wine instead? Here are four to consider:
>> J. Lasalle Brut Rosé “Premier Cru” (about $60 a bottle): Champagne is the first wine that comes to mind. There’s something about bubbles that just adds to the occasion. Furthermore, rosé Champagnes are currently in vogue, and this is one of my wife’s favorites. It’s produced at an artisan Champagne house run by three generations of women. Stylistically, this rosé is delicately nuanced, full of finesse, ethereal and incomparably weightless on the palate, with tiny beaded bubbles. It has an inherent ambience that immediately brings forth a smile, enhancing a romantic moment.
>> Flor Prosecco Rosé (about $20): Not everyone can afford to spend $60 for a bottle of bubbly, so this is a wonderful alternative. Flor Prosecco is an Italian bubbly from the northeastern hills of Veneto. While the U.S. market has been flooded with a slew of popular proseccos, this one is the real deal, spearheaded by celebrity chef Mario Batali and his partner Joe Bastianich (of “Master Chef” fame). While this is not as intricate or sophisticated as a top-quality Champagne, it certainly is delicious, with rounder edges and titillating bubbles, all at a terrific price. My family enjoyed it at a recent get-together, and it put everyone in a celebratory mood.
>> Ravaille Ermitage du Pic St Loup Rosé (about $20): Not everyone wants something bubbly, so for those folks there is this terrific “country”-style rosé well-suited to all kinds of food and all kinds of occasions. As casual as this wine seems to be, it originates from a unique geological collision of soils and other vineyard aspects at high altitudes, creating a standout. It is delicious, thirst-quenching and uplifting.
>> Patrick Bottex Bugey-Cerdon “La Cueille” (about $22): Here is a unique pink, well-suited for those seeking a bottle of Italian Moscato d’Asti. This slightly sweet, slightly sparkling wine comes instead from the foothills of the French Alps, and it takes enjoyment and gulpability to new heights. This wine is the ultimate refresher — it’s like having shave ice on a hot day or ending a meal with a sorbet. This one is certainly worth seeking out.
Chuck Furuya is a master sommelier and a partner in the DK Restaurants group. Follow his blog at chuckfuruya.com.
