Wine Gains Momentum as a Valentine's Day Gift Idea

WINE MARKET COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE
According to the Wine Market Council and Merrill Research, 95% of wine drinkers surveyed thought that wine makes a perfect Valentine's day gift. "Valentine's Day is a wonderful time to surprise your sweetheart with the gift of wine," stated Andrea Immer Robinson, author of Everyday Dining with Wine and Great Wine Made Simple and host of "Simply Wine with Andrea Immer," on the Fine Living Network. "What could be more romantic than sharing a favorite wine or, better yet, experiencing a new wine together?"

To make it easy to find that perfect wine that says, "I love you," Immer Robinson suggests some Valentines Day gift ideas advice in selecting wine:

BEAUTIFUL BURGUNDIES: Wine aficionados consider French Burgundy to be one of the most seductive wines available. The reds are made from Pinot Noir grapes, the whites from the Chardonnay grape, and the vineyard names are also often the world's most romantic. They are expensive, but many would say worth the search. Look for alluring names like Meursault "Bouches Cheres" or Charmes, Chambolle-Musigny "Les Amoureuses" or Vosne-Romanee Les Beaux Monts.

SEDUCTIVE SPARKLERS: Bubbly is, of course, the ultimate romantic bottle to present as a special Valentine gift - but not just any bubbly. A beautiful rose brings both the taste and the color of romance to a sweetheart's glass.

PASSIONATE PAIRINGS: Make a Valentines gift a romantic duo of wine and a flavorful food partner from the same region. For Francophiles, give some Brin d'Amour cheese and a red Saint Amour wine from the Beaujolais region. From Italy, olive oil infused with white truffles and a bottle of red Dolcetto wine. And from Spain, select a Fino sherry with Marcona almonds.

SWEET ENDINGS: Instead of a box of Valentine's Day chocolates, give a selection of sweet wines in half-bottles. Late harvest Riesling from Washington State, liqueur Muscat dessert wines from Australia, cream sherry from Spain or Muscat Beaumes de Venise from France are all excellent selections.

BOTTLES IN BLOOM: Instead of a bouquet of Valentine flowers consider floral-scented grapes such as Viognier, Gewurztraminer and Muscat.