Ok, I\u2019m all for drinking responsibly but it\u2019s that time of year again folks when someone or something inside us says we should be tempering our intake ie. \u201cFeb Fast\u201d. What? Feb Fast? Forget it! Come this Sunday, it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day and well you might find you need the old social lubricator if things get desperate.<\/p>\n
Sure, there\u2019s the tried and true bunch of roses, box of chocolates, or even a special dinner booking.<\/p>\n
But hang on, what about a wine with some real \u201cWow Factor\u201d 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\u2019s 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!<\/p>\n
WHITES Girls \u2013 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\u2019s 50 shades of grey, there\u2019s 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) \u2013 it\u2019s textural, rich, complex and amazing. She\u2019ll love it!<\/p>\n
Guys \u2013 It\u2019s funny with guys, but I don\u2019t think there\u2019s 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\u2019ll be happy.<\/p>\n
ROS\u00c9 Before I hit the reds though, let\u2019s not forget ros\u00e9 either. If we\u2019re heading for a hot night \u2013 weather wise that is \u2013 then it might be a good idea to switch to a chilled ros\u00e9, the lighter, paler savoury kind. So versatile and so food friendly it makes a strong case for selection, and guys, she\u2019ll think you\u2019re incredibly with it and sophisticated, and it\u2019s pink! Try the Tournon \u2018Mathilda\u2019 Ros\u00e9 2015 by Chapoutier ($17) \u2013 it looks French because it\u2019s owned by them, but better still the wine is sourced and made here in the Pyrenees region of Victoria.<\/p>\n
REDS Girls \u2013 All the single ladies out there love their Pinots. Yep, it\u2019s 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\u2019re looking for \u2013 soft and seductive. Perfecto.<\/p>\n
Guys \u2013 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 \u2013 silky, perfumed, and very suave with savoury black fruits to burn. If your bloke\u2019s 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 \u2018Woodcutters\u2019 Shiraz ($25) is probably the best bet, and the richness, suppleness and aromatics make this downright deelicious, folks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ok, I\u2019m all for drinking responsibly but it\u2019s that time of year again folks when someone or something inside us says we should be tempering our intake ie. \u201cFeb Fast\u201d. What? Feb Fast? Forget it! Come this Sunday, it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day and well you might find you need the old social lubricator if things get […]<\/p>\n