When people find out I’m a Sommelier I usually get asked one of two questions. If the question asker is in the Food & Wine industry it is ‘Where do you work?’
Question asker #2 usually says, “What is your favorite wine?” I could talk for days about my favorite wine(s), but after 18 years in the industry I have figured out that since I don’t want to hear or read about what other people are drinking THEN that question is the ice-breaker for the real question – “Tell me what to buy, I’m so confused.”
So I’ve found a legit way to use my many talents and figured out that if there ever was a time for me to reveal my wine superpowers to you, it would be now.
In the past, I’ve shied away from this kind of direct writing but TODAY I am going to come right out and tell you the ONE & ONLY wine you need to buy for Valentine’s Day. No matter you situation, this post is for YOU!
Last week, I spent a Tuesday evening with 1/2 dozen close lady friends and we were talking about Food & Wine as we always do. I decided to pipe up and said,
I’ve got the ONE wine everyone needs for Valentine’s Day.
Mouths dropped open, the conversation ceased. Next, phones and pieces of paper were out and all eyes were on me.
The same thing happened at a restaurant a couple of days ago when I was chatting with the couple seated beside us.
Valentine’s Day is the most over-hyped, over-marketed gimmicky day in the world; especially at the Liquor Store.
I enjoy long romantic walks…just like anyone else. Except, mine are down the Wine Aisle. When I see row upon row and bottle after bottle of wine. Do you want to know what I do? I walk right on by about 95% of them.
Here’s what I buy. It’s my love potion.
For other info check here http://www.chateauneuf.dk/plandedieu/en/plaen8.htm
To find this wine and others like it, All you need to do is pull up the website of your local wine establishment and search for these 3 words.
Cotes du Rhone
Here is a screenshot from where I live
This is only a FRACTION of the selection available to you. The best part is that the prices range from $10 per bottle right up to $20 plus. These wines are the best value for money you can find, so that $12 bottle is a steal.
Actually the price is the second best part. The first: is that these red wines go with EVERYTHING. Yup, great just to sip, great with food and the ultimate pairing – CHOCOLATE. Seriously, Cotes du Rhone wines go with just about anyone and everything. It even comes in a white version for you ‘I only drink white wine’ people.
If you need any help, at all. Let me know. I get the greatest kick out of helping someone go wine shopping. Let’s laugh, sigh, exchange recipes and keep falling in love with wine.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, MY DEAR.
“I enjoy long romantic walks…just like anyone else. Except, mine are down the Wine Aisle.” Bwhaahaaha. Thanks for the V-D wine tip. We like to hang on that day. Sometimes we hang downtown. Sometimes we hang at the movies. Sometimes both. Sometimes the ice cream parlor. We might eat from a vendor cart or pasta bar or diner or burger joint. We rarely glam it up. I like to watch couples and friends and groups celebrating. It’s what I do. So…. we like to hang. 😉
Sounds like a great way to spend the day.
Wishing you a great V-D (ha,ha) Day Elen. I do hope your “HANG” takes you to the Liquor Store, that would be a great place to watch people. Just sayin’, there’s nothing like that look of panic when someone realizes that they have so much riding on V D Day. Life would be so much easier is they paid attention the 364 other days of the year.
Truth! I saw a guy sweating bullets in the V-D section of the card shop today, aka the little house of paper horrors in February. LOL One of the things I most miss about Cancer Buddy was standing in the card aisles laughing until we cried or squeed. One or the other. I’ll take the wine aisles under advisement. OTOH, any time someone wants to express words of love to someone else in whatever form, I think is a good time.
Cried or Squeed. ah,ha,ha. I honestly don’t know how you come up with this stuff.
I’ve never heard you mention Cancer Buddy before, sounds like you had some good times.
We do Valentine’s very low key here; never a restaurant, always something small and intimate. So a bottle (or two) of wine would be a perfect treat. But here’s a problem….. We only drink white (any more than half a glass of red wine tends to give us both headaches and for me, a stomach ache). What’s a good V-Day wine that is WHITE? (and I know, this is blasphemy. I’m sorry!).
Asking for a white wine is no blasphemy. Now an ice cube might get you a different response. ha,ha
I’m so glad you asked Ksenia. I was hoping someone would. If you still google Cotes du Rhones there will be whites that come up. This region is equivalent to winning the wine jackpot.
The whites are a perfect wine for low-key, small and intimate. No headache wines – I guarantee it.
Have a fantastic day & CHEERS.
Thanks for this tip! I’m so curious about it now. This might be a silly question, but I’m not an expert, so here goes: Is Cote du Rhone the name of the region? Is that the name of a particular brand or producer? When I got to ask about it in my liquor store, I want to make sure you know what I am asking for!
There are no silly questions Kyla, and expert or no you got it! Yes, Cote du Rhone is the region – in France.
If you ask for Cote du Rhone they will know exactly what you are looking for. If not, send me a message anytime and I’ll help you navigate the store. Ok?
Wines from France are sold by the region/geography or the place the wines come from and not the name of the grapes like in Canada for example where you would see names of grapes like Merlot or Chardonnay etc…
I hope this helps and if you have any Q’s just let me know!
Have a great Valentine’s Day.
Ahh! So cool! I tend to buy wine for the label, but I’ve recently learned that I actually have some wine preferences taste-wise. I’m excited to try Cote du Rhone!
Let me know what you think ok? Have a great Valentine’s
Oooh! Can’t wait to try these, Kellie! Thanks for the tips.
It is my absolute pleasure. Enjoy!
HAHAH…loved this. We LOVE wine….in fact we make it, and have a wine cellar in the basement. I too agree that Valentine’s Day is over rated. My newest post talks all about it too. As much as I LOVE roses, having hubby clean the dishes after I do a recipe shoot is much more appreciated…all year long. As for our favourite wine….fortunately we have MANY!!
Thanks Gloria, I hear you about VDay. I’ll be sure to check out your post. Looking forward to it.
The first time I’ve had Cote du Rhone was in the same region, in France, many many years ago and we also bought a bottle to bring back (to Italy, I mean). But that was more than 15 years ago and I can’t recollect the flavor. You gave me a good reason to buy a bottle and have a glass with my lovely husband on our Valentine’s dinner at home. Thank you!
Sounds like you may fall in love all over again. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day.
Kellie
I would totally follow you through a wine store and be ready to do some serious damage to my credit card. I truly can not adequately express my love for wine. Particularly red wine. I’ve already added this to my wine list on my phone. 🙂
Thank you for the suggestion!
I hope you enjoy this wine, and the best part is that they are awesome value for money. So more wine for you and less damage to the credit card. I’d be happy to shop with you anytime, Diana. We can even do it virtually if you want, let me know if I can ever provide a suggestions.
It is so nice to meet fellow wine lover.