Valentine’s Day. Either you’re in or you’re not. Either you love ‘Love’s’ special day or you grit your teeth at the mere mention. A little like Santa, Valentine’s Day started as a marketing exercise but its heart is in the right place. Luckily most of us like to set aside a little time every February 14 with our significant other for some one-on-one time.
The ancient Romans ‘celebrated’ Lupercalia from February 13-15. Let’s just say romance wasn’t the Romans primary objective. Later, Emperor Claudius II executed two men on February 14 by the name of Valentine. When their martyrdom was honoured by the Church we got St. Valentine’s Day.
During the Middle Ages paper cards became a token of love for the wealthy. Fast forward to 1913, when Hallmark Cards of Kansas City Missouri began mass producing valentines.
At the very least Valentine’s Day is a good day to celebrate love. Cook something special and open a suitably romantic bottle of bubbles or food-friendly Rosé and let love win.
Freixenet Prosecco NV
From the home of cava, comes something new – a DOC Prosecco. No, not an average sparkler but a premium Prosecco. Spain’s Freixenet is the world leader in sparkling wine production by volume but also because of their quality wines. They now have 22 vineyards across the world from Bordeaux to Australian and Mexico.
With an ambition to be the wine drinker’s first choice for sparkling wine, the 150-year old company decided to produce Prosecco. Made with Glera grapes in Italy’s Prosecco region, this is a sparkler to be savoured.
Pale gold with a hint of granny smith apple, this Prosecco is zesty due to a citrus character and a fine bead completes the picture.
The bottle is also a sparkler. The cut glass shows off the golden contents and makes a statement at ‘dinner a deux’ or a party. Could this be the prettiest Prosecco on the planet? Buy one for yourself and one as a gift. Someone’s sure to love you this Valentine’s Day.
Lovers not Toreadors Rosé 2015
The name says it all. Don’t think the French are the last word in pink wine. The Spanish aren’t slouches at creating Rosado, with excellent wines that are dry and fruity.
Lovers Not Toreadors comes from Spain’s Duero region. Ribera del Duero is a Spanish DO where mostly red wines flourish. The Moro family has been making wine for four generations in the Duero.
Nothing matches a homemade spread of tapas more than this fine Spanish Rosé. A little jamon, some manchego and perhaps patatas brava. We thoroughly enjoyed it so much with Spanish Tortilla with chorizo we forgot to take a picture. This wine has the passion and flair of the Spanish with a suitably dry finish. A perfect pink for Valentine’s Day with a touch of strawberry but no residual sweetness. A superb food wine.
Minchinbury Moscato
You know how the old song goes: “sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey”. At such a great price you don’t have to wait until V Day to share this one. Bubbly, fun and a little sweet – maybe with the girls and some choccies?
James Angus’ first Minchinbury vines were planted by convicts in western Sydney in the mid-19th century. Australian ‘champagne’ was born. Both Champagne and Sparkling Burgundy won international awards in 1908. Penfolds bought the winery in 1912 and luckily inherited winemaker Leo Buring, who is widely recognised as the winemaker who first put Penfolds on the map.
Since the 1920’s Australians have celebrated with Minchinbury; Minchinbury Sparkling Burgundy was once the toast of the nation. By 1949 over 100 hectares were under vine but as tastes changed and the urban sprawl made the land too valuable, Penfolds closed the winery in 1978. Now the brand has been reborn – making fun wines for a new generation.
Chapel Hill Sangiovese Rosé
Grown in the Mediterranean climate of McLaren Vale (between rolling hills and pristine coastline) Chapel Hill has been making outstanding wine since 1972.
The dry, textured Sangiovese Rosé is all cranberry and strawberry on the nose, with juicy raspberries and a touch of sour cherry at the end to keep it food friendly. Lipsmacking. Undoubtedly also the colour of love, it’s clean and fresh and perfect for sharing with that special someone this Valentine’s Day.
All of these wines are available at Dan Murphy’s and BWS.
Disclaimer: These wines were provided by Dan Murphy’s for tasting.
