February 14th, St Valentine's Day

January is almost over and thoughts turn to February 14^th and St Valentine’s Day.  In my experience a Marmite day, either disliked by cynics, grumpy single people and grumpy in love people, or enjoyed creatively and celebrated as a day to express love.

Whether you love it or hate it, it is still a beautiful thing to feel love and to celebrate it and if, like me, you are one of those grumpy cynics then it could be a very pleasant surprise for your Valentine should you choose to do so.

Here at Aitken’s we have a great selection of wines (with a couple highlighted below) to help make Tuesday February 14^th the very happy occasion it could be or if you would prefer to go out for a great time then The Wine Press is taking bookings and filling up fast.

Fizz

For any occasion Fizz is an obvious place to start with Rosé always a popular choice for romantics.

La Rosita (also available at The Wine Press)  is great fun, a little richer and more biscuity than most sparkling rosés. Strawberries and cream on the nose with some nougatty complexity. A fleshy fruit driven palate is balanced by crisp acidity – great drinkability. Try it with smoked salmon and horseradish cream, oysters or on its own.

Fresita another great fun wine, deep and rich crimson in colour, with fine, persistent bubbles.  Delicious strawberry aromas combined with honeydew melon and a light herbaceous character. An explosion of luscious strawberries, blended perfectly with green fruit flavours, delivering a crisp and fresh finish.

Rosé

White Tropez Rosé which is currently on a tremendous offer has a pale peachy pink colour with silvery highlights. The nose is fine and expressive, presenting pure, vibrant aromas of tropical fruits, white peach and subtle floral notes. The palate is silky and full of finesse and the tangy acidity adds zest to a clean, quenching finish.

White

A Love Story in Three Acts Furmint has fresh nuances of apple, hints of fresh orange and pear with meadow herbs. This fresh, light and fruity wine has well-integrated acidity with a lemony mineral finish. 36 hours of skin contact gives this wine great body and texture.

Red

St Valentine is apparently also the Patron Saint of Beekeepers so if you don't much care for love but want to enjoy some lovely wine...

Paxton Queen of the Hive is named in honour of the Queen Bee, who lays eggs to produce the bees that are so vital to maintaining balance and health in our natural world. Paxton are a biodynamic estate so bees are able to thrive in the chemical free environment of their vineyards which are home to many bee hives.  This is a McLaren Vale red that blends Shiraz, Tempranillo & Grenache to give harmonious, medium bodied, soft and juicy mouth feel with hints of cinnamon, plum & cherries finished with silky elegant tannins.

‘Les Coteaux Schisteux’, Séguret Côtes du Rhône Villages is explosive on the nose, plush and opulent as ever and layered with suggestions of exotic spices, cracked black pepper and streaked with vanilla. The palate is instantly appealing, polished and smooth on entry but steeped in depth and texture as the flavours swirl around, lengthen and delight. The lasting impression is satisfying - a big and opulent Grenache-driven wine with obvious oak quality, great structure, length and finish.