"Think Pink" this Valentine's Day: Rosé Sparkling Selections to Inspire l'Amour!

When considering your vinous selections for the most romantic day of the year why not consider something pink AND sparkling? If there was ever a day to indulge in a deliciously elegant Brut Rosé, Valentine's Day would undoubtedly be it! Not only is the color perfect for this most romantic of occasions, but these wines definitely add that level of decadence that makes a special occasion well...special. As an added bonus these wines are also extremely versatile and perfect for either sipping on their own or paired with your favorite aphrodisiac-laden menu.This year I've selected some of my favorite pink sparklers from both the Old and New Worlds at a variety of price points to suit a variety of vinous budgets:J.P. Chenet Brut Rosé NV, France ($12): This French sparkler is made of 100% Bobal, a grape variety native to the Utiel-Requena region in Valencia, Spain. The name derives from the Latin bovale, in reference to the shape of a bull’s head. This fresh, fruity wine has a delightful pink color and aromas and flavors of red berries, cherries, and strawberries. While it makes a perfect apéritif , this delightfully festive bubbly will also pair beautifully with desserts featuring red berries, fruit salads and/or fruit pastries.Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé NV ($30): this sparkler is a blend of 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir from Schramsberg’s select cool-climate vineyards in Northern California. Flavor depth and aromatic complexity result from the blending of base wine lots aged in barrels and tanks for one or more years. The wine undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle and rests in Schramsberg’s historic Diamond Mountain caves for approximately 2 years. This multi-vintage Brut Rosé has aromas and flavors of strawberry, candied orange, watermelon and cinnamon with a creamy richness and long, lingering acidity. It is delicious on its own and also pairs well with dishes including grilled salmon, country fried chicken, BBQ pork ribs, Caprese salad, poke tuna or simple pastas.Domaine Carneros Cuvée de la Pompadour Brut Rosé NV ($45): This wine was crafted to celebrate the life and times of Madame de Pompadour (the great courtesan and mistress of Louis XV) who is credited with introducing Champagne to the court and was an influential tastemaker in the matters of art, architecture and philosophy–famous for her comment, “Champagne is the only wine a woman can drink and remain beautiful.” This sparkler was made using the time-honored Champenoise methods of production applied to fruit sourced exclusively from Carneros. It is a delicious blend of 58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay meant to be enjoyed at a fairly young age, when the fruity character is still predominant. This wine has aromas and flavors of wild strawberries and roses with notes of peach with lovely fruit and a food-friendly acidity.Taittinger Brut Rosé Prestige NV ($70): This decadent Champagne from one of the region's most heralded families simply exudes elegance in it's gorgeous clear bottle and gold packaging. A quantity of still red wine (15%) produced from the best Pinot Noirs from Montagne de Reims and Les Riceys is added to give this cuvée its unmistakable color and vibrant intensity on the palate. The high proportion of Chardonnay (30%) brings the elegance and delicacy that underpin Taittinger’s signature style. The bubbles are very fine, a sign of quality in a sparkling wine and it gives off expressive aromas of wild raspberry, cherry and black currant. The elegant palate is rife with fresh, lively notes of red fruit. This Champagne can be enjoyed as an aperitif but would also complement dishes such as pate, charcuterie, or roasted lamb. Wine Advocate, 90 points.Champagne Bruno Paillard Rosé Première Cuvée MV ($80): Composed of a majority of Pinot Noir, this Champagne is produced exclusively from the first pressing and a percentage of Chardonnay from the North of the Côte des Blancs adds freshness to the final blend. The "dosage" is very low to produce an authentic Brut wine - 8-9 grams of residual sugar per litre. The disgorgement date is on the back label and the minimum maturation in the cellar after disgorgement and before shipment is 3 to 4 months. Aromas of red currant, Morello cherry, strawberry and violet are expressed on the palate. The palate is refined and elegant with a long and delicate finish. Enjoy as an aperitif or with dishes including poultry, white meat, mixed salads and cheeses.XOXO,