Reds and Whites to Romance

Cooking Valentine’s Day dinner for your sweetheart? Want to find the perfect wine to accompany the meal, but find yourself a little intimidated by the wine selection process?

Let Kevin Simon, lecturer and director of the Fred Parks Wine Cellar at the UH Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, lend his expertise. Here are some of his personal picks:

Reds

• Zinfandel, Rosenblum ($18-22/btl.) - Rich, soft plum and ripe cherry flavors that pairs beautifully with osso bucco, chile verde, or marinated chicken.
• Pinot Noir, Artesa by “Carneros Estate” ($35-45/btl.) - Predominant raspberry fruit has intriguing hints of blueberry, smoke, cinnamon and mocha. Even versatile enough to pair with fish and poultry.

Whites

• Riesling, Wilhelm Bergmann Piesporter ($7-9/btl.) - Light bodied, fruity, semi-sweet white wine, with tart citrus and crisp flavors that pairs well with salty and spicy foods.
• Sauvignon Blanc Brancott ($10-12/btl.) - Medium bodied with aromas of gooseberry and grapefruit and hints of bell pepper, melon and banana esters. Pairs well with seafood, poultry, and veal.
• Chardonnay, Chateau St. Jean ($25-30/btl.) – Medium bodied with fresh aromas of lemon, honeysuckle and pear. Pairs well with most foods.

Champagnes/Sparklings

• Segura Viudas Aria Estate Cava, NV, Brut ($11-14/btl.) - Aromas of apples, oranges and minerals, with a soft effervescence from the small bubbles.
• Banfi, Rosa Regale, Brachetto d’Acqui ($19-24/btl.) - A unique red sparkling wine that is sweet and appealing. May be enjoyed as a delicious aperitif, between-meal or after-dinner sparkler.
• Veuve Cliquot, NV, Brut ($35-45/btl.) - Deliciously rich on the nose and palate, with almond croissant and suggestions of Calvados in the aroma and flavor. A fuller-bodied style, creamy and round, with a long, lingering nutty finish (Simon’s personal favorite champagne)

“All of these wines are sure to please a range of tastes, from the uneducated pallet to the master sommelier,” Simon remarks. “Just follow your tastes and budget, and you can’t go wrong with any of the above selections.”