Valentine's Day

Whatever your views, the very mention of St. Valentine's Day can conjure up a sense of fear and trepidation in even the most ardent admirer.
Whilst many of us may now consider it a purely commercial exercise created by business opportunists, rather than the opportunity to show one’s loved one just how much they mean to you, the tradition of Valentine’s Day, initially a Christian festival, does in fact have a long and complicated history, going back as far as the middle ages.
Gift buying and giving, along with romantic dinners, has always been something of a minefield.
Flowers, chocolate, perfume, lingerie, jewels, or wine, the sky’s the limit, but you’d be hard pushed to go far wrong with a hearts and flowers theme.

There is also the delicate balance between hope and expectation, or disappointment.
Many a proposal is made on this most romantic day of the year, although personally I’d prefer any invitation to marriage to be on another day. Will suitable candidates please join the queue.
The well established link between the scent of wine and arousal means that for me the choice of champagne as a romantic initiator is a given. There can be few more romantic gifts than Perrier Jouët Fleur de Champagne, at around £100, but better still, plump for the rosé if you can, at £130.
This is bubbly with class, an excellent cuvée with a soft approachable style and a delicate richness on the palate. The graceful Japanese anemones designed by artist Emile Gallé add to the celebratory festive feel, making the bottle alone a desirable keepsake.

The more budget conscious amongst us can make a passable Cava or Prosecco, available at around £10 a bottle, into something a little more special than the standard kir, by the addition of just a teaspoonful or rose or violet syrup, or a wild hibiscus flower in syrup, which opens up beautifully in the glass. All are available from good supermarkets.

For those not enthralled by bubbly, or if buying for the man in your life, there are reputable still wines to be had without resorting to the fake ‘Valentine’ theme.
A consistently reliable and affordable choice would be the sexy Beaujolais, "Saint-Amour". As romantic in style as its name suggests, Georges Duboeuf enhances his offering with flowers on the bottle, whilst reputable names to look out for are Jadot and Drouhin. A powerful wine with the big, red and black fruit flavours of Gamay, it goes well with any grilled meat. Around £12 a bottle.

For something a little more exotic seek out Amarula Liqueur at £12.50 a bottle.
The fruit of this tree from Africa cannot be cultivated and must be harvested in the wild.
Much favoured by elephants for its sweetness, they ram the trees to obtain the fruit. It quickly ferments once on the ground, and when elephants eat too much of it they behave as if drunk. The tree is also known as “The Marriage Tree,” as the fruit is said to have special aphrodisiac properties. Many marriage ceremonies are still held under the marula tree, so this liqueur is very appropriate for Valentine’s Day.

Whatever your choice, do remember, it is the thought that counts.
I well recall being informed not so long ago of someone receiving the gift of a Porsche.
My response, 'Did she actually want one?'
Personally, I'd rather have kindness and consideration any day of the week.

Keeping with the heart theme, Riedel, the Rolls Royce of drinking glasses, have available their 'Heart to Heart' collection, each with different bowl shapes designed to ensure that a given wine can be enjoyed to its maximum. Personally, I'd steer away from the creepy heart shaped decanters from Etienne Meneau, too much like being in a laboratory. 


Linda Piggott-Vijeh has been advising the hospitality industry on food and wine for almost three decades and has a 100% pass rating for WSET exam courses.

Wine and aphrodisiacs - the pefect pairing - As Seen in Society Magazine. Feb 2016