Skip to main content

GreaterUpperValley.com

Love in a Bottle: Valentine’s Day Wines From Dan King at Norwich Wine and Spirits

Feb 10, 2020 05:29PM ● By Virginia Dean
Red Hearts. Romance. Cupid.  Flowers. Candy. Valentine’s Day … a time to celebrate love with a romantic meal and a great bottle of wine, one that rises above the rest on such a special day. But how does one determine the best bottle to pair with your celebratory feast? Or even to drink it by itself?

Here are five wines that might make it especially memorable, according to wine steward Dan King, Assistant Manager of Norwich Wines and Spirits in Norwich.

“We recommend these because they’re soft and easy to drink,” said King. “Valentine’s Day is rich with sweet desserts. It’s not spicy, and meals such as pork loin or lobster are easy to prepare but good. They go well with dinners on such a special day. But you don’t have to have them with food. You can have any of these wines by themselves and they would still be easy to drink.”

Non-vintage. Hillinger Secco. (Austria). This Pinot Noir sparkling Rose has aromas of red berries thorough on the palate. Beautifully balanced with a pleasant, harmonious and refreshingly long finish. Dry, crisp, fruity, light-bodied. Great with shellfish, crab, and lobster. $18

2013 Steininger Riesling Heiligenstein Sekt (Austria). This single-vineyard sparkling white wine has aspects of pure minerality, deep fruit nuances of stone fruit. It is dense and a highly delicate bouquet in a beautifully packaged box and hand-lettered by the owner of the winery. Matured in large neutral oak casks allows its delicate flavor to shine through a perfect elegant fine mousse. Quite dry. $56

2017 Ferrari-Carano Tre Terre Chardonnay (California). Delicious, full-bodied with aromas and flavors of Meyer lemon, apple, graham cracker, and spice. A wine with bright fruit, nice acidity, and a long, lingering finish. Good with spiced vegetarian dishes and rich, creamy shellfish entrees or veal, poultry, pasta, and rice. $24

2012 Maysara Vineyard Pinot Noir Jamsheed (Oregon). Dark and earthy deep ruby with tints of oak and tobacco. Hints of plums, cherries and wild raspberries. Smooth long finish, excellent balance, gentle acidity. Pair with roast chicken and potatoes. Organically grown and biodynamically certified. $24

2017 Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Fruity with lively aromatics of black currant and dried cranberry. Nuances of nutmeg and cedar. Full-bodied palate and rich with elegant flavors of ripe raspberry and black currant. Complex and youthful with vibrant spice and bright fruit characters. Intense and rich. Great with lamb or beef tenderloin. $25


Like what you're reading? Subscribe to Image's free newsletter to catch every headline