Helping Cupid Out

So over the past year, I’ve cooled the jets on publishing a shopping list for every occasion under the sun - a bit overdone in wine writing these days in my opinion. But Valentines Day is this week and I really think everyone could use a little help with this holiday – creating a perfect evening of love and sauciness. Here’s my best effort to your Friday morning on February 15th starting a little later than usual…

For the Guy Who Has it All

You’ll score big with any 2005 red burgundy from Ch. De Montille a perfect valentines gift for his cellar. The Pellegrini Milestone, Storrs BXR, Mendel Unus and Susana Balbo Brioso are blockbuster wines to open now along with a nice steak dinner.

For the Power Couple

BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon and Susana Balbo Malbec. Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky are the winemaking love birds of Argentina. After many years of knowing and respecting each other while working for Catena Zapata in Mendoza, fate stepped in and brought these two wine powerhouses together to create Dominio del Plata – where they both work their magic along side one another in the winery and among their beautiful vineyards.

For the Renaissance Woman

Whether you are jet-setting in for a night to have a quiet dinner with your Valentine, or gathering at your favorite hot spot with your favorite friends or just throwing a “party for one” at home, these will provide a lot of fun, relaxation and keep things cheery. LIOCO Indica, Crios Rose of Malbec, Lange Freedom Hill Chardonnay and any flavor of junmai sake2me!

Wine for the Mother of your Kids (or future mother…)

You’ll certainly impress your honey with these, a nice night to thank her for wrangling the kids and running the house – a toast to a moment alone together! These two bottles are named after the kids of the brother and sister team of Laura and Ernesto Catena. Start with a nice chilled bottle of Luca Chardonnay before dinner…a few glasses of Tikal Amorio “love affair” will be a nice way to wind down the evening of bliss.

1^st Valentines Day Together?

Three words: Expensive French Champagne. Ask your local fine wine shop for a suggestion here, there are too many wonderful bottles of Champagne for me to list. If I had to choose a bottle of bubbly right now that’s available all over Texas I’d go for Laurent Perrier Brut Rose. Don’t skimp on the cost here - a tremendous return on your investment is 100% guaranteed.

50^th Valentines Day Together

Ahh, True Love Pioneers! In honor of keeping love alive and inspiring others – pick a few from Pioneers of the wine world…Château Puligny Montrachet, Pellegrini Family Vineyards, Domain Jo Pithon, Handley Cellars and of course, any bottle that has “Eric Solomon Selections and/or European Cellars" printed on the back label. These Pioneers of wine keep us newbies hopeful and dreaming for that ever-lasting love.

A big toast to many XXOO - Ali