FEATURE/Valentine's Day Culinary Primer for Romance Exploration.Feature Editors/Business Editors FEATURE...Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: see Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Lovers' holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. POINT RICHMOND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2004 An Incredible Collection of Wines for Tasting, Recipe Suggestions and Gift Ideas to Help Serve up an Evening of Romantic, Culinary Exploration From food and wine to love, it's all about keeping life fresh and full of surprises. So this Valentine's Day, why not merge these passionate pursuits into an unforgettable night of delicious seduction? Attached is a Valentine's Day menu primer with a collection of wines for tasting, recipe suggestions plus gift ideas to help serve up an evening of romantic, culinary exploration. First Course Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Blanc de noirs is a French term (literally "white of blacks") for a white wine produced entirely from black grapes. It is often encountered in Champagne, where a number of houses have followed the lead of Bollinger's prestige cuvée (Retail $18.00; www.gloriaferrer.com) sparkling wine with a delicate pear-like bouquet, is the perfect way to begin the evening while lingering over pink bubbles and fresh oysters on the half-shell. Second Course As you each share your dreams, serve up a Honey-Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with a Wente Vineyards Wente Vineyards is a winery in Livermore, California and holds the distinction of being "the oldest continuously operating, family-owned winery in California." The Wente Estate is registered as California Historical Landmark #957. The winery was established by C.H. Riva Ranch Chardonnay (Retail $17.00; www.wentevineyards.com), a beautifully balanced wine with exotic tropical fruit flavors, richness and acidity. Or explore uncharted territory
Third Course With the main course, taste what many connoisseurs consider the most seductive wine in the world, Pinot Noir. Pour Testarossa Vineyards Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir (Retail $50.00; www.testarossa.com), described as having a velvety vel·vet·y adj. vel·vet·i·er, vel·vet·i·est 1. Suggestive of the texture of velvet; soft and smooth: velvety skin. 2. texture, and a lush, heady finish. Keeping the meal on the light side to maintain your romantic edge, serve roasted Cornish game hen with sauteed green beans. If you prefer a spicier herb rub, switch from a Pinot Noir to a Miner Family Vineyards Napa Valley Syrah (Retail $35.00; www.minerfamilywines.com). Aromatically deep and densely hued hued adj. Having a given hue, aspect, or character. Often used in combination: rosy-hued; dark-hued. , this robust classic delivers bright red, cherry fruit with hints of cloves. Final Course End the evening with white chocolate truffles and Michel-Schlumberger "Silk Purse" Dry Creek Semillon (375ml/Retail $28.00; www.michelschlumberger.com) and the gift of a Wine.com Wine Club membership (Retail $19.95-$69.95 monthly; www.wine.com). With each shipment of fine wines, the two of you will explore the world of wine, food and romance throughout the year. Happy Valentine's Day! Editors Note: Interviews with winery representatives and featured wines available upon request. |
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