Top 10 Valentine's Day Gifts for Food + Wine Lovers

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.”

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to treat your sweetheart to something special and show them how much you care. If they happen to have a passion for food and wine (in addition to you!), you're in luck because in this post I'm sharing my top 10 favorite Valentine's Day gifts for food and wine lovers!

All of these items are near and dear to my heart and I'm very excited to share them with you. Please scroll down to browse the descriptions and simply click the name of an item to view purchasing information. Just FYI, some of the links are affiliate links which result in NO extra cost to you, and a small commission for me if you purchase something.

If you have any questions about any of these items, please feel free to reach out using the comments section below. Also, please scroll down for info on when I'll be revealing my 2021 Valentine's Day wine recommendations:

I hope you find these Valentine's Day gifts for food and wine lovers helpful and if you’re looking for some delicious wine recommendations, please check out my recent appearance on WPTV Newschannel 5 featuring Romantic Red Wines for Valentine’s Day.

In the meantime, for even more Valentine's Day resources, check out my favorite recipes, desserts and playlists that are guaranteed to set the mood for l'amour. Wishing you and your loved one a deliciously Happy Valentine's Day! xo

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6 Wonderful Winter Red Wines

Your favorite cashmere sweater. A cozy fleece blanket. A succulent bowl of savory Boeuf Bourguignon. These are definitely a few of my favorite Winter things and you know what makes them ALL even BETTER? Enjoying them with a nice, big glass of RED WINE!

In my opinion Red Wine is the PERFECT Winter accessory and this post features some of my absolute favorites that are guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. They are intensely colored, full-bodied, mouthfilling wines with oodles of ripe fruit and copious amounts of tannin. If you crave this style of wine or are in the mood for further exploration these Somm selections will inspire you to race to your local wine store OR your favorite online purveyor. And in order to accommodate your vinous whims, I’ve chosen wines at a variety of price points featuring both steals AND splurges ~ Enjoy!!!

6 Wonderful Winter Red Wines

1.) CLINE ANCIENT VINES MOURVEDRE, CENTRAL COAST, CALIFORNIA ($18): Crafted from the concentrated fruit of 80-120 year old vines, this full-bodied beauty delights with mouth-filling notes of luscious plum, blackberry, chocolate + eucalyptus accompanied by supple tannins + a lengthy finish.

2.) ALTA VISTA ESTATE MALBEC, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA ($24): Hailing from the mountains of Mendoza, this 100% Malbec seduces with a dense, inky purple color + fragrant aromas + flavors of blackberry compote, plum, violets + spice with firm tannins + a peppery finish.

3.) ROBERT OATLEY SIGNATURE SERIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MARGARET RIVER, AUSTRALIA ($22): This fresh, juicy red delights with a bright garnet color + aromas + flavors of black currant, raspberry, cassis + dried herbs with grippy, gravelly tannins + a lengthy finish.

4.) GAJA CA’MARCANDA PROMIS, TUSCANY, ITALY ($50): This savory blend of Merlot, Syrah + Sangiovese is a stunner with heady floral aromas of rose, violet + earthy red + black fruit. On the palate, mouth-filling flavors of wild strawberry, black cherry + plum are accentuated by rosemary, fennel + smoke + supple tannins which culminate in a long, lingering finish.

5.) LA JOTA MERLOT HOWELL MOUNTAIN, NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA ($85): This beautifully structured blend of predominantly Merlot with dollops of Tannat + Petit Verdot crafted from coveted mountain fruit entices with heady aromas of ripe black fruit, earthy truffles + spice. Opulent layers of blackberry, roasted plum, cassis + espresso delight on the palate + are accompanied by affable tannins + a mineral-tinged finish.

6.) CHATEAU DE BEAUCASTEL CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE, RHONE, FRANCE ($90): This Southern Rhone classic, a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah + Counoise, delights with aromas + flavors of black currant, black cherry + plum as well as savory notes of smoked meat, tapenade + garrigue + chewy tannins. It all culminates in a lengthy, richly textured, mouthwatering finish.

For purchasing information for any of these Winter Red Wines, simply click on the wine’s name above. And, just in case you can't find a particular wine or it's not available in your area, please don't give up! Ask a clerk at your local retail store to recommend a wine that’s similar to the one you're looking for. Better to enjoy something similar than nothing at all!

Also, if you're interested in learning more about wine this year, I have the perfect place to start: my White Wine 101 and Red Wine 101 blog posts. I hope you enjoy them and please feel free to share this post with your wine loving friends!

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6 Wonderful Winter White Wines

This month I am craving white wine. Not the bright, citrusy Sancerres and Pinot Grigios of Summer, no, this week I'm craving WINTER white wines! The vinous equivalent of a lush, luxurious cashmere sweater.

But what exactly does that mean?

Winter white wines have a little somethin' extra - a little vinous booty if you will. Winter white wines are rich, creamy and delicious and capable of keeping you warm on a chilly night. They should even be served about 5 degrees warmer than lighter-bodied Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc (50-55 degrees is ideal). This allows the complexity of their aromas and flavors to really shine.

Luckily, I've had the chance to sample some of these beauties recently. From a luscious Viognier from France's Rhone Valley to a Marilyn Monroe-esque Chardonnay from California's Napa Valley, I've got some steals and splurges that I think you are really going to enjoy!

6 Wonderful Winter White Wines

1.) YALUMBA Y SERIES VIOGNIER, BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA ($12): This alluring, medium-bodied winter white displays floral-imbued notes of honeyed citrus, peach and spiced pear with a delightful palate-hugging viscosity.

2.) CROSSBARN SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY, SONOMA, CALIFORNIA ($28): A medium-bodied wine with delightfully creamy notes of spiced apple, peach, apricot, fig and vanilla which culminate in a long, lovely, lingering finish.⠀

3.) ZIND-HUMBRECHT GEWURZTRAMINER, ALSACE, FRANCE ($27): Fragrant aromatics of lychee, rose and ginger emanate from this completely delicious, spicy Gewürz that should be dubbed "the official Wine of Winter!"

4.) HARTFORD COURT FOUR HEARTS VINEYARD RRV CHARDONNAY, SONOMA, CALIFORNIA ($42): Floral and fabulous this Chardonnay entices with glorious aromatics of honeysuckle and orange blossom. On the palate, alluring notes of Meyer lemon, red apple, candied ginger, peach and spice are followed by a mineral-tinged finish.

5.) CLIFF LEDE NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC, NAPA, CALIFORNIA ($24): This medium-bodied white wine envelops the palate in rich, elegant notes of mandarin orange, white flowers and peach balanced by a delightfully crisp, lively minerality.⠀

6.) CHATEAU DE SAINT COSME CONDRIEU, RHONE, FRANCE ($78): This perfumey and richly textured white wine, made from 100% Viognier, delights with enticing notes of honeysuckle, lemon verbena, star fruit and apricot which you can readily savor on its luxuriously lingering, spice-tinged finish.

For purchasing information for any of these Winter White Wines, simply click on the wine’s name above. And, just in case you can't find a particular wine or it's not available in your area, please don't give up! Ask a clerk at your local retail store to recommend a wine that’s similar to the one you're looking for. Better to enjoy something similar than no wine at all!

Also, if you're interested in learning more about wine this year, I have the perfect place to start: my White Wine 101 and Red Wine 101 blog posts. I hope you enjoy them and please feel free to share this post with your wine loving friends ~ Cheers!

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The New Year's Waistline-Friendly Wine Guide

Egg nog. Christmas cookies. Peppermint-stick ice cream. If you're like me, you indulged in everything you could get your well-manicured hands on this holiday season…and after 2020 who could really blame you? And while it’s fun to enjoy your favorite foods during this festive time of year, this decadent tradition unfortunately usually relegates January to a month of restraint and, let's face it,...self-imposed misery.

That sure doesn't sound like a Happy New Year, does it?

But what if you didn't have to forego that glass of vino every night? What if there was a handy Waistline-Friendly Wine Guide that featured delicious wines that didn't sabotage your New Year's-inspired weight loss plans?

Fellow winelovers, I'm happy to tell you these wines DO exist and, in moderation, you can still indulge your vinous cravings without consuming oodles of pesky calories. But since a glass of wine can range between 100-300 calories, how do you know which wines have the least amount of calories? Here are 3 tips to consider when making your selections:

1. Go for Low Alcohol: While that juicy glass of Australian Shiraz might hit your palate’s sweet spot, it probably clocks in at around 16% alcohol. And since alcohol has almost twice the calories as sugar (yes, you heard right!), you've got a double whammy in that glass just waiting to haunt your midsection through bathing suit season. For optimal results, pick wines that are 14% ABV or less which, by law, must be clearly listed on a wine's label.

2. Dry over Sweet: Say buh-bye to wines with high levels of residual sugar ("RS" in wine lingo), including Port, Sauternes and late-harvest wines. The low-calorie wines you want to choose right now are bone-dry, crisp and refreshing. In general, if a wine you're drinking tastes overly fruity or sweet (even a supposed "dry" wine like White Zinfandel), banish it from your fridge until you've reached your desired goal!

3. Cool Climate is Key: The wine regions of Europe (aka the Old World) have much cooler climates than the rest of the world (aka New World) and grapes grown in cooler climates don't achieve the lush ripeness that those grown in warmer climates do. And since it's grape sugars that are converted into alcohol by the yeast during fermentation, cooler climate grapes produce wines that are lower in alcohol and, therefore, calories. So if one of your New Year's Resolutions is to explore a different wine region, this is the perfect time to explore the delightful wines of countries such as France, Italy, Germany and/or Spain!

The GG Waistline-Friendly Wine Guide

SPARKLING WINES: Whether its Champagne, Cava or Prosecco, sparkling wines range from approximately 100-125 calories per 5 ounce glass and should generally be your FIRST waistline-friendly choice. Since they are usually served in a flute, there's also less variation in the size of the pour which provides reliable consistency. Look for the terms "Brut,""Brut Nature" or "Brut Zero" on the label to ensure there isn't excessive sugar added. So if you have any sparklers left over from the holidays - lucky you!

WHITE WINES: These wines should be your second choice when selecting a waistline-friendly bottle. You want to opt for lighter-bodied, unoaked white wines which are crisp, refreshing and bone-dry since they generally contain about 115-145 calories per 5 ounce glass. Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, dry Riesling and Albariño are great choices in this category, beware of big, full-bodied white wines such as Chardonnay and Viognier which can contain higher alcohol and therefore, more calories.

RED WINES: If you're a bona fide red wine lover, no worries! While red wines generally contain the most calories due to riper fruit and higher alcohol levels, there are lighter versions to be found that contain around 130-170 calories per glass. Opt for wines made from the Pinot Noir, Barbera and Tempranillo grapes from cooler climate regions in France, Italy and Spain respectively. In order to keep calories at a minimum, steer clear of ripe, fuller-bodied wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec or Shiraz from warmer climates until you've reached your desired goals.

I recently had the opportunity to share some of my favorite Waistline-Friendly Wine recommendations with the fabulous John Favole of WPTV NewsChannel 5, our local NBC affiliate here in sunny South Florida. Please check out the video above for all the deets and I hope you enjoy our Waistline-Friendly Wine Guide and best of luck with your New Year's resolutions. If you've made any food and/or wine-related resolutions, I'd LOVE to hear about them. Please let me know in the Comments section below!

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5 Fabulous New Year's Wine Resolutions!

With your New Year's Eve hangover in the rear view mirror, not to mention a disastrous pandemic-ridden 2020, it’s time to start planning for the future with a proverbial clean slate. To help with the vinous portion of your plans, here are 5 Fabulous New Year’s Wine Resolutions to guide your exploration in the New Year.

From becoming a better taster to planning a trip to your favorite wine region, here are some great ideas that will truly enhance your enjoyment of and proficiency in wine:

1. MIX IT UP: Because the world of wine can be confusing it's often easier to just stick with the same wine day in and day out - but how boring is that? To break out of your rut, why not vow here and now to sample a different wine every week or at very least every month. Come on by the wine shop where we always have 16 wines available on the machines to sample by the glass. Not in the area? I’ll also have plenty of great recommendations here on the blog and in our weekly newsletter so please stay tuned.

2. START A WINE COLLECTION: If you've been drinking wine long enough to have a favorite wine region and/or producer it might be time to sock a few bottles away for a later date. Aged wine can be such a truly enjoyable experience but collecting wine does NOT mean you need to have a custom built, 1,000 bottle cellar, in fact, far from it! From an 18 bottle, under the counter wine fridge to 150+ bottle, free-standing unit go with whatever suits YOUR needs. Having a temperature-controlled place to stash your bottles is VERY important since varying temperatures and humidity levels as well as mechanical vibration and light exposure are arch-enemies of wine. If your budget allows, purchase a unit with a little room to grow, wine lovers have a habit of outgrowing them faster then they think!

3. HONE YOUR TASTING SKILLS: Whether you’re a budding wine enthusiast or an aspiring Somm to really learn about wine you need to taste it in a particular way, utilizing ALL of your senses. This sensory information provides valuable insight into a wine's place of origin, grape variety and "terroir” which are all critical factors when learning about and understanding wine. So if becoming a better taster is something you’re interested in achieving this year, please click here to be notified of our upcoming wine tastings.

4. DRINK MORE SPARKLING WINES: The focus on sparkling wine/Champagne consumption around special occasions like New Year's Eve leaves the majority of the year unbearably bubbly-free. While Champagne's price tag may limit it to more of a special occasion wine, there are many sparklers from around the globe that are priced for everyday consumption. Wines like Prosecco, Cava and Crémant are perfect for enjoying on a Tuesday night or sipping over lunch with a friend. As an added bonus, sparkling wines also have less calories and alcohol than a glass of Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon - affordable, delicious AND figure-friendly - what's not to love about that?

5. FOOD + WINE TRAVEL: Take advantage of our post-pandemic global status + book that trip you dreamed about during lockdown! Whether it’s an overnight trip to enjoy a favorite restaurant or a long haul flight to an Old World wine region, start planning now and as soon as we get the green light to travel - you’ll be ready to go! For some food and wine-inspired travel inspo check out my post 5 Glamorous Getaways for Food and Wine Lovers.

I hope these suggestions inspire you to further embrace the world of wine in 2023! If you have any other wine-related resolutions I'd love to hear about them, please let me know in the Comments section below.

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6 Sparkling Selections for New Year's Eve & Toasts for the Holiday Host!

If you’re looking for the perfect bottle of bubbly to ring in the New Year, look no further! From Cava to Cremant and, of course, the all time classic Champagne I’ve done the research and am sharing six of my favorite sparklers at a variety of price ranges that are perfect for New Year's Eve.

In addition, I’ve also paired each sparkling wine selection with a timely toast. And after a crazy pandemic-ridden 2020, I think they are especially meaningful. So without further ado, here are my favorite splurges and steals:

1.) Poema Cava Metodo Tradicional Brut, Penedes, Spain, NV ($14)

Poema is a small-production Spanish wine producer in Spain’s Penedès region where the best vineyards are located. While Cava is made using the same method as Champagne, aka the Méthode Traditionelle or Método Tradicional, it incorporates the region’s three indigenous grapes: Parellada, Macabeo + Xarel-lo. It is made in a “Brut” style, meaning the wine is “dry” (not sweet!). This wine is clean, refreshing + mineral-driven with citrus-infused notes of green apple, toasted brioche, honeycomb + almond skin.

Toast: "In the New Year may your right hand be stretched out in friendship but never in want." ~ Traditional Irish Toast

2.) Calvet Cremant de Bordeaux Brut, Bordeaux, France, NV ($18)

Founded in 1818, Chateau Calvet is one of France’s oldest brands + while it was sold in 1882, a 6th generation descendent is now re-introducing the brand back to the U.S. markets. Like Champagne, this sparker is made using the Méthode Traditionelle (aka Méthode Champenoise) but it’s a blend of indigenous Bordeaux grapes: 70% Semillon + 30% Cabernet Franc. This cremant has a beautiful golden yellow color with fine bubbles + expressive notes of yellow apple, citrus + brioche accompanied by a fresh + lively acidity.

Toast: "May we live to learn well + learn to live well. May you live as long as you want + never want as long as you live." ~ Anonymous

3.) Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs, North Coast, California, NV ($40)

Blanc de Noirs means "white from black" and as the name implies this sparkler from "America's House of Sparkling Wine" is predominantly Pinot Noir, made from 91% Pinot Noir and 9% Chardonnay. Schramsberg pioneered the Blanc de Noirs style in the United States, producing the first such American sparkler in 1967. This luxurious sparkling wine has a creamy texture of toasted brioche, vanilla, baked apple and hazelnut. While perfect for enjoying on its own it has ample body to stand up to dishes including macadamia-crusted halibut or roasted pork tenderloin.

Toast: "Here's a toast to the future; a toast to the past, and a toast to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant, the past a bright dream. May our friends remain faithful and dear." ~ Anonymous

4.) Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve, Champagne, France, NV ($55)

Known as the Champagne that seduced the Royal Courts, Charles Heidsieck is definitely one of Champagne's best kept secrets. This House's non vintage offering is one of my personal favorites, representing a decadent blend of 1/3 each Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. The fact that it includes 40% reserve wine in the blend with an average age of 10 years, with some going back as far as 15 years, really sets this cuvée apart. The result is a toasty, rich, complex style of Champagne with notes of apricot, dried fruit and almonds that is ideal for ringing in the New Year.

Toast: "May you never lie, cheat or drink. But if you must lie, lie in each other's arms. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink with all of us because we love you!" ~ Anonymous

5.) Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru, Champagne, France, NV ($75)

Winemaker Francis Egly's wines are counted among the most well-respected "Grower Champagnes" and are made with the utmost of care from vines located in the Grand Cru villages of Bouzy, Verzenay and Ambonnay. This bright and refreshing Brut is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay that is not fined or filtered, allowing the terroir to shine through. Notes of warmed crepes drizzled with fruit compote; pink and white flowers; and a touch of vanilla are evident on the nose of this Champagne followed by flavors of black and red cherries, fresh ginger and white pepper. A special bottle for a special evening!

Toast: "For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." ~ T.S. Elliot

6.) Krug Grande Cuvée, Champagne, France, NV ($199)

Krug is known for its unrelenting attention to detail in producing one of the finest Champagnes in the world. Krug President Maggie Henriquez likens their portfolio of cuvées to haute couture due to the meticulous attention to detail involved in their production, and rightly so: the Krug Grande Cuvée, the house's flagship multi-vintage bottling, is a blend of 120 hand-crafted reserve wines from over ten different vintages. The full-bodied, opulent Grande Cuvée delights with enticing aromas of toasted brioche, marzipan, and complex flavors of citrus peel, hazelnuts and spice. An exceptionally elegant cuvée!

Toast: "Be at war with your voices, at peace with your neighbors + let every New Year find you a better man." ~ Benjamin Franklin

No matter which sparkler you select to enjoy on New Year's Eve I wish you a wonderful evening and all the best in the New Year ahead!

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The Art of Sabrage & 7 Steps to Performing it Safely!

While the presence of Champagne at an event is usually enough to indicate a celebration is at hand, there's another way to kick it up a notch: the art of Sabrage.

Believed to have been invented by Napoleon during the French Revolution, Sabrage is the technique of opening a bottle of Champagne using a saber. Legend has it, as Napoleon and his troops returned home victorious from battle, the townspeople greeted them with bottles of Champagne to show their appreciation and gratitude. Because they were on horseback, it was too difficult to put down the reins to pop the cork, so they used their sabers and voila, the art of sabrage was born! Another version of the story involves the famed Widow (Veuve) Clicquot who possibly gave Napoleon's officers Champagne in return for protecting her land during this time of political unrest.

Contrary to popular belief, Sabrage is not actually "chopping" the top of the Champagne bottle off. In fact, not much "muscle" is required to perform this technique which essentially utilizes the 6 atmospheres of pressure present in the bottle combined with a quick “whack” from the saber at the weakest point of the bottle, where the seam comes together at the neck. Although there are "Champagne sabers" made especially for this process, Laguiole makes a very nice one, you don't have to use one to perform this technique. The back of a Chef's knife works just as well, just be sure not to use the sharp end of the knife as you can damage the blade.

For a slow motion view of how Sabrage happens, please check out my video below. And while it may look really easy, there are some very important steps to follow in order to perform it safely. Unfortunately, I’ve seen some accidents happen when the bottle wasn’t prepared properly or the wrong motion was used to dislodge the cork from the bottle. One incident even involved stitches so please scroll down for all the important details.

7 STEPS TO SAFELY PERFORMING SABRAGE

1. Be sure the bottle of bubbly is VERY cold: If the bottle hasn't been in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, you may want to rethink using it. Without a properly chilled bottle, you run the risk of the bottle exploding during the process and nothing puts a damper on a party like a shattered bottle of Champagne.

2. Find the bottle’s seam: Most green Champagne bottles (they are the best to use) have a seam that runs vertically from the neck to the bottom of the bottle where the two halves are joined together. You can easily find it by running your finger around the circumference of the bottle until you find the ridge. This seam is the guide your saber will follow along the bottle, making contact with the neck exactly where it intersects with the seam.

3. Adjust the wire cage and remove paper/foil from the neck of the bottle: In order to clear the runway for your saber or knife, you'll need to adjust the cage, the wire which surrounds the cork, up one notch so the blade of the saber hits the neck of the bottle cleanly. Simply untwist the wire, slide the cage up one notch to expose the neck, and twist to refasten it around the cork. Be very careful, however, because once the wire cage is loosened, the bottle is “live” and the cork can pop out at any time! You can remove the cage altogether but keeping the cage on not only makes the cork easier to find in an outdoor setting, but also make a nicer presentation. At this point, also remove any foil or paper around the neck so your saber has an unobstructed path to follow.

4. Hold the bottle properly: There are two ways to hold your bottle of bubbly for performing sabrage: either with your thumb in the "punt" (the indentation in the bottom of the bottle) and your fingers supporting the bottle from underneath, or by simply grasping the bottle around the base. Experiment with each and go with whichever one feels more natural and secure.

5. Point the bottle away from friends, family, pets, windows and other glass objects: Ideally sabrage is performed outside but when that isn't possible, be sure the bottle is aimed away from people, pets or anything breakable. In the video below, I didn't use as much force as I normally would because I didn't want to take out any ornaments on the Christmas tree, not to mention any of the windows.

6. Let 'er rip: When you're ready to go, hold the Champagne bottle away from you pointed upwards at a 45 degree angle to the ground and run the blade along the seam, taking a few practice strokes. Then, briskly slide the blade along the seam of the bottle with an "up and out" motion, following through and making good contact where the seam meets the neck of the bottle and the top should pop right off! In the event it doesn’t, regroup and simply try again.

7. Wipe off the neck of the bottle and serve: Once the deed is done and all the applause has quieted, it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! Luckily, the pressure inside the bottle ensures no glass falls into it, however, it's always smart to wipe off the top of the bottle with a kitchen towel just to be sure there's no glass fragments remaining. Then, you're free to serve your guests but no matter what you do, don't ever attempt to drink from a freshly sabered Champagne bottle! The jagged edges are extremely sharp and this gaff will take you from hero to zero (not to mention the emergency room) in seconds flat.

In case you're wondering what the process looks like, below is a video of me sabering a bottle of Taittinger Brut Rosé for our guests on New Year's Eve. As I mentioned previously, I didn't use as much force as I normally would in order to spare the windows and Christmas tree ornaments. I hope you have fun experimenting with the art of Sabrage and remember the immortal words of Napoleon, "In victory you deserve Champagne, and in defeat, you need it."

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