ADD SOME “WOW” THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

Ok, I’m all for drinking responsibly but it’s that time of year again folks when someone or something inside us says we should be tempering our intake ie. “Feb Fast”. What? Feb Fast? Forget it! Come this Sunday, it’s Valentine’s Day and well you might find you need the old social lubricator if things get desperate.

Sure, there’s the tried and true bunch of roses, box of chocolates, or even a special dinner booking.

But hang on, what about a wine with some real “Wow Factor” to it? Yes, I think it might just be a good idea to get that someone special something nice to drink for the big occasion, so here’s some suggestions to hopefully help you win their heart, mind, body and soul (and palate of course). Best of luck to all those Romeos and Juliets out there!

WHITES Girls – Many white-wine lovers are falling out of love with Sauvignon Blanc, and falling into the arms of another, more often than not the very accommodating Pinot Gris grape and just like there’s 50 shades of grey, there’s 50 shades of Gris or more available out there in the market place. And for girls who just wanna have fun, try the Brown Magpie 2015 Pinot Gris ($23) if you can find it (or their 2015 Pinot Grigio) – it’s textural, rich, complex and amazing. She’ll love it!

Guys – It’s funny with guys, but I don’t think there’s any particular preference for any one particular white grape variety over another, so go a rich, layered Chardonnay from either Geelong (2012 Bannockburn $52), Mornington Peninsula (2013 Moorooduc Estate $49), or the Yarra Valley (Hoddles Creek 1st Cru 2013 $45). He’ll be happy.

ROSÉ Before I hit the reds though, let’s not forget rosé either. If we’re heading for a hot night – weather wise that is – then it might be a good idea to switch to a chilled rosé, the lighter, paler savoury kind. So versatile and so food friendly it makes a strong case for selection, and guys, she’ll think you’re incredibly with it and sophisticated, and it’s pink! Try the Tournon ‘Mathilda’ Rosé 2015 by Chapoutier ($17) – it looks French because it’s owned by them, but better still the wine is sourced and made here in the Pyrenees region of Victoria.

REDS Girls – All the single ladies out there love their Pinots. Yep, it’s a popular red variety for sure with the better examples like the delicious 2013 Del Rios Pinot Noir ($28) from Anakie which is sensational value drinking, showing beautiful perfumed ripe cherry/plum aromatics, and rich dark berries and spice on the palate. The wine is medium bodied with fleshy tannins and the feel is what we’re looking for – soft and seductive. Perfecto.

Guys – Sensitive New Age Guys will probably want some left-ofcentre, obscure savoury Euro red, so the ridiculously juicy and complex 2013 Dehesa Gago Tempranillo ($30) from cutting-edge Spanish winemaker Telmo Rodriguez will definitely spice things up – silky, perfumed, and very suave with savoury black fruits to burn. If your bloke’s more the gung-ho type Aussie male, then a good, solid, fruit-rich Shiraz from the Barossa is a good place to start and the 2013 Torbreck ‘Woodcutters’ Shiraz ($25) is probably the best bet, and the richness, suppleness and aromatics make this downright deelicious, folks.