Valentine's day brings all kinds of closet romantics out into the open. Many Americans will readily admit they don't know what good wine is, how much it should cost, or what types of meals to match their choice. With nearly $13 billion spent in 2006 for Valentine's Day, wines and chocolates are certain to be a large proportion of purchases for the holiday in 2007.
I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I like red wine and have no affinity for white wines or dessert wines, so my opinion is decidedly unbalanced. A curious palate and several red-wine-loving friends have brought me to the point of knowing how to get something halfway decent off the shelf at the mega-liquor store. I've poured plenty down the drain in the process.
Typically, red wines can be served with most types of foods if you take care to find the right type. Fish and pasta meals are served well with a dryer red wine such as a Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio, and spicier, heavier foods might go more appropriately with a stronger and more acidic Cabernet Sauvignon or a Zinfandel. If you're asked to bring a bottle of "something" to a dinner party, one of these selections is usually a safe bet. If you are really in a conundrum and need matching suggestions, Google 'wine food pairings' and you will get more information than you'll need.
If you've stepped into the Colorado Liquor Outlet or Cheers, you realize it can get confusing very quickly. Italian ? Californian ? Australian? So many choices are a blessing to those who know what they're looking for and a serious curse for the holiday and occasional wine drinker. Sometimes the staff at the store can be helpful, or they can be just as clueless as the next person. I have a few offerings for the occasional wine drinker to consider so you can wow your sweetie on Valentine's day or impress your friends with a mildly sophisticated, but not-overly obvious "Gallo" choice.
Coppola Claret - The term Claret used to be a general name for wines exported from the Bordeaux region in France. Today these grapes are grown domestically and bear little resemblance to their medieval counterpart. The wine is a deep purple red and has a nice deep, grapey flavor. The winery was originally owned by Francis Ford Coppola but has since changed hands. In the absence of their Claret, the Zinfandel is not too bad but I would avoid their patently inconsistent Merlot.
http://www.niebaum-coppola.com
Sabastiani Cabernet Sauvignon - A very nice, drinkable Cabernet in the $20-25 range depending on where you can find it. This would be the flavor I would think of if someone asked me to describe what wine should taste like. Their other varietals are usually pretty good but the Cabernet stands out as the best. I've caught myself pouring a third glass because it's just that good, you don't get tired of the flavor.
http://www.sebastiani.com
McManis Cabernet Sauvignon - If $20 is more than you wanted to spend on wine, this is decent alternative. It has a few more tannins (the things that make your cheeks pucker) and isn't as smooth as the Sebastiani, but it generally goes well with food.
http://www.mcmanisfamilyvineyards.com
Orin Swift Cellars, The Prisoner - This is a blended wine. My initial reaction to blends was somewhat tepid. Afterall, who would take great wine and mix it with a bunch of other types ? It sounded like a cheap ploy to mix a bunch of bad stuff together in an attempt to make it saleable. How wrong I was. Blends are aged for taste specifically and for no other reason and the result can often be outstanding compared to a pure varietal. The Prisoner is 48% Zinfandel, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 10% Petite Syrah, and 2% Charbono. If you'd like to try a glass of this outstanding blend, you can get one at
The Famous: A Steakhouse at the corner of Tejon and Kiowa downtown. It's not inexpensive, but it is entirely worth the experience.
http://www.orinswift.com
Funky Llama Malbec - Don't let the name or the price fool you, for under $10 this is good bottle of wine. The varietals is from Argentina. South American wines have a tendency to be fairly inexpensive compared to their counterparts. When the gal at Cheers recommended this, I thought it would be red alcoholic kool-aid. It is a very deep, red chewy wine which goes excellent with any of your favorite chocolates. Don't expect it to be sweet though. Why drink Boone's Farm when you can have this ?
Seven Deadly Zins - Other than having a perfectly clever name, this is an nice California Zinfandel from Michael David winery. Word to the wise, Zinfandels can have a higher alcohol content than other red varieties, make sure to check the label before imbibing. Zinfandels are a mixture of sweettarts and mesquite depending on the age of the vines and where the grapes were grown. Their 6th Sense Syrah is also a nice choice if you're looking for something less biblical.
http://www.lodivineyards.com
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel - An equally nice Zinfandel though not as pricey as Seven Deadly Zins. It has a little woodier flavor but overall a nice texture and finish.
http://www.gnarlyhead.com
Chianti Classico Reserva - I've just started drinking Chiantis but these Spanish wines are often very nice with food or by themselves. The thing to remember is they need a long time to breathe after you open the bottle. Chanti's are dryer than a Cabernet but not as dry as a Pinot. Most if not all are imported.
There are quite a few other nice choices out there, this only on a teeny-tiny percentage of them. If you are restaurant bound, make sure to read the wine list carefully. You can learn a lot about what you like by ordering a glass instead of a whole bottle.