Pat Carrollpicks 10 favourites for the big night.
All over the country on February 14th restaurateurs will divide their rooms into tables à deux for couples celebrating Valentine's. Shakespeare suggested that music was the food of love but we all know that the food of love is wine. So, whether you are dining in or out, to put a warm glow in your heart, here is a list of romantically-themed suggestions. Eat, drink and be merry - and don't forget the music.
Taltarni Brut Taché Rosé 2004 13% (€21). Made with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier - the grapes are sourced from far-apart vineyards in Victoria and Tasmania - this pink sparkler has nutty red berry flavours and a lovely dry finish. Have it as an aperitif, or with a prawn or crab starter. From Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, Co Dublin; O'Donovan's, Cork; Mac's, Limerick; Next Door, nationwide; Nuts about Wine, Tralee; Red Island Wine, Skerries; Searsons, Monkstown, Co Dublin; The Vintry, Dublin 6.
Louis de Sacy Brut Grand Cru Rosé NV 12% (€45). This rosé is excellent value - gorgeous red-berried fruit mingled with toast. Elegant and stylish, it can be sipped as an aperitif or could be drunk with lighter meat dishes. From Celtic Whiskey Shop, Dublin; The Mill Wine Cellar, Maynooth; Morton's, Dublin 6; www.champers.ie
Hugel Cuvée Les Amours Pinot Blanc 2005 13% (€13.75). An old favourite. Pinot blanc is a versatile grape that goes well with many foods. Hugel is one of Alsace's oldest wine producers, always very reliable, and this dry white wine has clean, lemony fruit with an undertone of nuts. Serve with seafood, white fish, Asian food or plainly-cooked chicken. From Daly's, Boyle; Harvest, Galway; Joyce's, Knocknacarra; McHugh's, Raheny, Dublin 5; Next Door, Kilkee; www.wineonline.ie
Laurenz V. Charming Grüner Veltliner 2005 12.5% (€22.95). Clean, intense, fruit-driven white wine with Grüner's typical peppery spiciness. Grüner Veltliner is unusual in that it can match seafood, meat and strong cheese. From Donnybrook Fair, Dublin 4; Fallon & Byrne, Dublin 1; Power & Smullen, Lucan; Sweeney's, Dublin 11.
Emotion de Terroirs Bourgogne Blanc Vincent Girardin 2005 13.5% (€19.50). An aptly named not-so-basic white burgundy packed with ripe citrus fruit. From James Nicholson (minimum 12-bottle order, which can be mixed), telephone 048-44830091, www.jnwine.com
Woollaston Pinot Noir Rosé 2006/2007 14.3% (€14.50). Staying with the romantic pink theme, this is a delicious, crisp, refreshing rosé made from 100 per cent pinot noir. This has strawberry/ cherry flavours with firm acidity and a lingering finish. Super on its own, but it would stand up to spicy Asian food. From Lilac Wines, Dublin 3; Redmonds, Dublin 6; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny; Elegant Wines, Limerick.
Mommesin St Amour 6 Terroirs 2003 14% (€22.99). From the smallest Beaujolais cru, this seductive red is a must for Valentines. Cherry aromas, with cherry and blackberry flavours, a slightly earthy note and a lovely silky texture. From Mitchell & Son, Dublin.
Sandrone Dolcetto d'Alba 2005 13% (€17.95). The Dolcetto ("little sweet one") grape comes from Piedmont in northern Italy. This delightful, lively light red is dry, with vibrant cherry and damson fruit. Match with chicken, pasta with meat sauce or soft cheeses. From Fallon & Byrne, Dublin; Le Caveau, Kilkenny.
Santa Sofia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2004 15% (€46). Wrong saint, perhaps, but it won't matter when you taste this sumptuous amarone, chock-full of cherries, figs and chocolate with a background of spice, leather and pepper. The Italians call amarone a "wine of meditation"; it is superb with roasts, game casseroles or strong cheese, or on its own after dinner. From Bradley's, Cork; Donnybrook Fair, Dublin 4; Gibney's, Malahide; Mitchell & Son, Dublin.
Maury Domaine des Schistes 2006 16% (€18.95, 50cl bottle). Matching wine with chocolate is always tricky, but this maury, a vin doux naturel with subtle sweetness and flavours of raisins, nuts and rich black fruit would suit dark chocolate very well. An especially good match would be the chocolates of Benoit Lorge. The French chocolatier, based near Kenmare, has a range of heart-shaped products for Valentine's Day. Maury from Louis Albrouze, Dublin 4; Morton's, Galway; Vanilla Grape, Kenmare; World Wide Wines, Waterford; chocolates from Fallon & Byrne, Dublin; Kitchen & Food Hall, Portlaoise; Lorge Chocolatier, Bonane,
Co Kerry (www.lorge.ie); URRU Culinary Store, Bandon.
Guest wine writer Pat Carroll is co-editor of The Best of Wine in Ireland 2008 and part-time manager in Gibney's Off-Licence, Malahide.