February Is For Lovers

February is here and so is Valentine’s Day. This is the time of year to remember that special person in your life. What better way to show them your love than to give them a bottle of wine? There’s not much better than cozying up with your loved one on a cold winter’s night and sharing a bottle of your favorite nectar. Stop by Merchant’s Fine Wine and stay out of the doghouse.

2001 Melodie d’Amour Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Chusclan - $14.99

This fantastic red from the southern Rhone is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 10% Cinsault. It’s warm and soothing during the winter months with notes of dark cherry, raspberry, and subtle spice. Curl up with a good book (or your favorite companion) and a glass of wine and enjoy the evening. Try with a hearty stew or a braised beef short ribs.

2003 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha - $15.99

This stunning old vine Grenache from the Campo de Borja region is the perfect February warmer. It’s rich with notes of blackberry and strawberry with subtle notes of leather, vanilla, and plum. Share this with your favorite person if you don’t drink it all yourself. Try with a roast pork loin with your favorite spice rub or a whole roast duck.

2000 Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - $39.99

This soul-satisfying red is the perfect wine to share with your loved one. It’s made from dried Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes and the resultant wine is a wholly pleasing nectar of large proportions. Notes of dark cherry, blackberry, chocolate, and subtle raisin are noticeable on the palate and the finish is lingers on and on. It’s big and chewy and is entirely warming on a cold winter’s day. Try with a garlic-studded leg of lamb, your favorite roast, wild game, or a hunk of your favorite cheese.

www.cesari-spa.it

Mumm Joyesse Demi-Sec Champagne NV - $34.99

This fine Champagne is fairly new offering from the Mumm portfolio. It’s sweet. It’s not cloyingly or sugary sweet, it’s just sweet enough. It has a rich mousse and fine perlage (bubbles) with notes of citrus and tropical fruit. It’s the perfect gift for Valentine’s day. Try with fresh strawberries and mascarpone cheese mixed with honey. Fantastic!

www.mumm.com

2003 Quady Elysium California Black Muscat (750ml) - $22.99

This great red dessert wine is a fantastic wine for Valentine’s Day. It’s rich and lush with notes of rose and lychee on the nose and notes of raspberry, strawberry, and plum on the palate. It even has a "heart" on the label. Try with a box of Valentine’s chocolates.

www.quadywinery.com

Bonny Doon Vineyard Framboise (375ml) - $12.99

This wine seems to make it to the list every year on the Merchant’s web site, but for good reason. This is a stunning dessert wine made from raspberries. It’s rich and lush and true to the fruit. It’s completely decadent and the perfect accompaniment to Valentine’s chocolates or a homemade chocolate torte. It’ll keep you out of the doghouse for sure.

(Look for the very limited edition "Loves Me" and "Loves Me NOT!" gift sets while supplies last for $25.99)

www.bonnydoonvineyard.com

Valentine’s Day Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes

1 1/2 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2-ounce unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon unsalted butter,softened, plus 3 tablespoons
3 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder Whipped cream, for garnish

Cocoa powder, for garnish Lightly butter 2 ramekins with 1 teaspoon of butter and set aside. In the top of a double boiler place semi-sweet and unsweetened chocolate and stir occasionally until melted. Remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, flour, baking powder and cocoa. With an electric mixer, beat at medium-high speed until pale and very thick, about 5 minutes. Place mixture in prepared ramekins, filling about half-full. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 3 hours. When ready to serve, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place ramekins on the middle shelf in the oven and bake until edges are set but centers are still shiny, about 10 or 11 minutes.

Invert pudding cakes onto plates and serve immediately, garnished with whipped cream or ice cream, and dust with cocoa powder. (Desserts may also be served directly from ramekins.)