In the pink :Valentine's Day provides a great excuse to break out the bubbly.
Gilbey's wine merchants offers two pink reasons to make the girls wink and both are, surprise, surprise, from Bordeaux. The first is indeed a sparkler. Reserve de Sours is a nicely judged sparkling Rosé (€19.90 from Cellars, the Big Wine Warehouse, Naas Road; Deveney's, Dundrum), while cult winemaker Jonathan Maltus produced the rich strawberry flavours of Saignée des Anges especially for Gilbey's. Made from 100 percent St Emilion Merlot, this saignée is romance in a glass, chilled of course (€14.99 Cheers, Perrystown; Whelan's, Wexford Street; Egans, Portlaoise; Harvest, Galway). Joe Breen
Tapas treats:You don't have to hop on a flight to Spain for your next fix of jamon pata negra, bacalao and sardines - just drop in to the Taste of Spain promotion at the Four Seasons hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, which runs from next Tuesday until February 23rd. Tapas, accompanied by Spanish sherries and wines, will be served in the lobby lounge from 5-10pm each day of the two-week celebration.
Taster wines:The Spanish theme continues at Harvey Nichols in Dundrum, Dublin 14 on Monday, February 18th, when Vega Sicilia, Spain's most prestigious wine estate, hosts a tasting dinner in the first floor restaurant. A five-course dinner, designed by head chef Robert Haughton, will accompany the seven wines that will be introduced by Vega Sicilia winemaker Javier Ausas. €95 per person, including cava aperitif, dinner, and wine. Book on 01-2910488. Marie-Claire Digby.