Wednesday, February 8, 2006
The world of wine can be a little intimidating for the newcomer.
With thousands of different kinds of wines — all with different ages, colors and flavors — it might seem like an impossible feet to make the best selection. But you don’t have to be Dionysus to pick the best wine for Valentine’s Day.
So before you sit down to that candle-light dinner with a special someone, there are some things to keep in mind when perusing the wine section.
“Go light and simple,” said Michelle Meyer, co-owner of Holy-Field Vineyard in Basehor. Meyer suggests new wine drinkers not jump directly to the dry, red wines, but instead try something a little sweeter, such as a sparkling wine or Sauvignon Blanc.
People are accustomed to sweeter drinks like soda, she said, and these wines — which are lighter in color — have a fruitier taste that will appeal to those taste buds.
Thomas Goerdal, manager of Teller’s, said Valentine’s Day is one of their biggest days for wines because wine is more relaxing. It lets you enjoy the company more than beer, he said.
Goerdal estimates about 70 percent of Teller’s guests choose to have some wine with their dinner on Valentine’s Day.
For first timers, Goerdal suggests staying away from the pricey wines — anything more than $30. He said more expensive wines, which are richer and drier, have an acquired taste.
While price may play a major role in your wine selection, the important thing to consider is your dinner.
Goerdal suggests having a Cabernet Sauvignon with red meat, to enhance the flavor. If it’s something spicy on the menu, trying a German Gewurztraminer may be in order.
You can usually order wine at a restaurant by the bottle or by the glass. Cost for a glass at Teller’s, 746 Massachusetts St., can run anywhere from $6 to $10 and bottles from $19 to $100. Goerdel said the prices are two-and-a-half to three times higher at restaurants than at a liquor store.
Spencer Duncan, owner of World Wine & Beer, 3106 S. Iowa St., said a quality bottle of wine at a reasonable price would run about $10 to $15.
On a day like Valentine’s Day, the last thing to do is to forget your date when selecting a bottle of wine, Duncan said.
“Valentine’s Day is a good day to keep it simple,” he said. “It’s not a day to experiment.”
Popular wines for Valentine’s Day correlate with the holiday’s color. He said pink and red wines — such as blush and rose — are top sellers, as are dessert wines.
Duncan said rose and blush wines are not as heavy and very functional for new wine drinkers.
While you may not be a wine expert, Goerdel suggests being honest and letting your waiter know how much you want to spend and the meal you plan to have.
While recommendations can be helpful, Meyer said there’s never a bad wine.
“You should be adventurous and try new things because there is always something new to try,” she said.
— Edited by Jonathan Kealing
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