The Way to the Heart is through Food and Wine (and more) on Valentine’s Day – Gifts that Make You Say Ahhhh!
Red is the preferred color for roses on Valentine's Day, and it's a no-brainer when it comes to wine. Pink, a variant of red, takes
second place on Valentine’s Day but figures prominently in rosés that will add
some splash to your day. Both blend perfectly with chocolates and other
indulgent treats.
While wine is fine, you might want to consider other spirits to create the
mood, or perhaps change your location to set the tone.
But, please, save your money on flowers this year – they might last a week and they
have to be looked at constantly to be appreciated. Rather, create a shareable, aphrodisiacal gift with
these delicious ideas.
Days of Wine and Rosés
You don’t usually equate England with sparkling wine. And that’s what makes Nyetimber, England’s premiere vintage
even more appealing. Not only is it unsual, but it’s perfect for Valentine’s
Day: Nyetimber’s classic brut, rosé and
demi sec sparkling wines are made by a couple, Cherie Spriggs and husband and
winemaker Brad Greatix. Nyetimber uses
one hundred percent estate-grown grapes, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
and Chardonnay. For Valentine’s Day, try the Rosé Multi-Vintage, a charming mix
of red fruit and intriguing notes of anise and lavender.
For true rosé decadence, the iconic vintage cuvée, Palmes d’Or Rosé 2008 offers a wonderful marriage of texture and
flavors. Palmes d’Or Rosé is a rare ‘saignee rosé' where the red wine juices
are bled briefly from the skins in a 100% Pinot Noir blend from two cru
vineyards with Grand Cru grapes from Bouzy allied with the intense fruit-laden
quality of Riceys.
For a rosé that hits all the right notes – it’s delicious,
pretty and it even travels well -- I suggest buying your sweetie a four-pack of
the adorable Bonterra Organic Vineyards’
rosé cans. Bonterra 2018 Rosé celebrates the fresh spirit of the organic
viticulture practices that Bonterra adheres to and reflects their unwavering
commitment to sustainability and the environment.
Not a fan of grapes, and if flowers are still what you do on February 14, you can give flowers in the form of
wine for Valentine's Day. Flowers are a
fundamental part of the fermentation process at Free Range
Flower Winery, and no, there are no grapes. Try the refreshing Rose Hybiscus
Wine, made from locally sourced organic rose and hibiscus flowers.
You can pack these bottles in your suitcase for your next
trip. But how about packing for a vacation
that’s even more wine-centric. A wine
safari in Conejo
Valley in Southern California makes the perfect travel gift. With Malibu
Wine Safaris, couples can go for a ride in a safari vehicle while
making stops along the way to taste local wines and mingle with exotic animals
who also happen to be retired movie stars (a giraffe, zebras, llamas, yaks,
camels, alpacas, bison and more). The safari takes place on the 1000-acre
Saddlerock Ranch and vineyard, where you’ll ride in custom-built Safari
vehicles and learn about the history of the landscape and the animals. You can customize
the safari to add a special lunch, mimosa brunch and more.
If Wine Isn’t Your
Thing...
Skip the wine and head straight for the hard stuff. In
Nashville, warm your heart with a “Tennessee
Whiskey for Two” package at the Hotel
Preston . Instead of touring vineyards, you’ll tour the Tennessee South
Distillery and Big Machine Vodka Distillery where you’ll enjoy four tastings
and a cocktail. You can also bottle your own spirit of Big Machine Vodka or
Single Barrel Clayton James Whiskey Straight from the barrel. Your gift with be
your own special limited-edition bottle to take home. The package is available through the end of
March.
And What Goes Better
with Win e or Whiskey than Chocolate and Cheese
Give a taste of history from New Mexico with the Chaco Pottery Shard truffle box collection
from Cacao Santa Fe.
Forget the basic heart-shaped box of mediocre chocolates this year and trade it
in for chocolates with a history and connection to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Inspired
by the indigenous cultures of Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, where 150 intact
black and white pottery vessels were uncovered in Pueblo Bonito, Chaco's
largest ruin, the chocolates are imprinted with the black and white pottery
designs. It’s believed that chocolate was traded by these people with the
Aztecs in Mexico, based on ingredients found in the pottery discoveries.
Cheeseheads will love the Cheesy
Kiss Gift Box from award-winning goat cheese producer Belle
Chevre. The gift box includes all of the elements for a romantic
appetizer at home with a Greek Kiss, a disc of handcrafted chèvre wrapped in a
beautifully brined Greek grape leaf; a Savannah Bee honeycomb; and a very
on-trend slate board for serving cheese and condiments.
Comments
Post a Comment