You know what this sign means guys. It is another chance for us to mess up and buy the wrong thing. Many times this means we bought clothes (wrong size can kill you). Jewelry, too serious, too fast. Or the ubiquitous heart-shaped box of chocolates, and tried to pair it with some wine to seem enlightened only to find that the pairing wasn’t as magical as we had thought.

 

Here at Bubbles we have people all the time looking for a bottle of red to go with some chocolates. This can be a great match or leave one with a mouthful of tannin and the sensation that you just had your teeth covered in fur. Doesn’t sound great, huh?

 

We have all heard that red wine goes with red meat and white goes with white meat. While these are not tried and true rules, they are excellent suggestions to avoid a bad match. In the same vein, your wine should always be sweeter than your dessert. This is not a rule as there are many great exceptions to it. This is just a way to avoid the above mentioned unpleasant side effects.

 

Now that I have completely blown your gift giving plans for this Hallmark holiday let me revitalize them with some suggestions of how to make sure that your wine and chocolate pairing succeed. The first thing we need to pay attention to is what kind of chocolate. If it is the kind that comes in that box it is most likely milk chocolate which is more sugar than cocoa. This leads us to our suggestion to match them with wines such as:

 

Martini and Rossi Asti Spumanti, An Italian classic made from the Muscat grape. Its aroma will lure you in like a siren’s song, boasting fruity and floral notes. Sparking on the tongue, the natural sweetness of the grapes comes through with full flavor and wonderful texture. Recommended for after dinner, pairing with cakes and other desserts or sweet fruits. Ideal for a sparkling cocktail. SALE 10.99!!!

 

 

Fizz 56 Sparkling Red, More than just a wine, Fizz56 is a personality, sweet as a first kiss with its ripe berries and as seductive as the memory of it. Pop the cork and savor the 56 million bubbles in every bottle. SALE 16.99!!!

 

 

 

NOW FOR SERIOUS CHOCOHOLICS!!! For those of us to whom chocolate is a separate food group, only those with higher cocoa contents will do. If you grab something that actually lists the amount over 60% then think of ultra-ripe, jammy, easy drinkin’ zins such as these:

 

Michael and David 2008 Lust Zinfandel, This Zinfandel has a soft texture and decadent mouthfeel, and the flavors are of creme de cassis, caramel cream, melted milk chocolate, tangerine zest, and cinnamon-spiced gingerbread

 

Michael and David 2009 Rapture Zinfandel, A very dark garnet color in the glass. Fragrant aromas of ripe, dark berries lift to the nose. Blackberry and whole plum flavors fill the palate and persist through a long leathery oak finish.

 

Don’t forget our free wine class coming up on March 2nd, registration is required. Sessions are offered at 4 and 6 and will cover wine making techniques. Why are some wines red, taste like butter, have bubbles, etc.

 

Sale prices good through 2/15/12.

 

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