Help with pairings

Welcome to the boards, Jenn.

For a white, I would suggest a German Riesling Kabinett or Spatlese. Spatleses are bigger, more lush, and often sweeter than Kabinettss. Or else an Alcasian Tokay-Pinot-Gris (I have found TPGs to pair well with cheeses such as Asiago). Most of the TPGs are dry or just slightly off-dry. There are so many good producers of these wines, but you won't go wrong with...

German:
JJ Prum
JJ Christoffel
Dr. Losen
Muller-Catoir (through 2001)
Kurt Darting

Alsacian:
Zind-Humbrecht
Weinbach
Boxler

You might also try a Riesling from Austria such as a Prager.

For a dry red, the wine that first came to mind is Zenato Ripassa. Ripassa are Italian wines made from Valpollicela grapes but on the pommace of Amarone. The result is a wine of medium-full body with a rich texture, a long finish, and good length -- but without being overpowering. Zenato is, generally, my favorite producer of Ripassa and this wine regularly recieves praise on the WS boards.

For the chocolate, I would go with a Port. You can get a good LBV Port without breaking the bank. Try the 1997 Taylor Fladgate LBV -- it is about $20.

a

is Valentine's Day still in February or have i missed the latest upgrade to April?

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I plan to have samplings of cheeses such as Grana Padano (which is recommended chunked and drizzled with balsamic vinegar)

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a good pairing with balsamic is `01 Viader.

Or so I hear.

In all seriousness... picnics usually scream for German Riesling.

==================
AIM: Drunken Mariachi

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Originally posted by grunhauser:
is Valentine's Day still in February or have i missed the latest upgrade to April?

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Urrmmm, maybe I should have said it's an indoor event?

Cozy in February by the fire with some good wines, hopefully will be a good setting for the date.

Thank you all for the information and the welcome.

JennFR,

If you go with the Zenato Ripassa for red, at least open the bottle in the morning to serve it in the evening, or decant it. I had some last night and it was pretty unenjoyable until it got quite a bit of air, then it was wonderful.

Pierre Boniface "Apremont" is a wonderful white wine to serve with cheese, though this is a dry white, so if you prefer something sweeter go with the above Riesling recommendations.

Nancy

picnic - pleasure trip on which food is carried to be eaten outdoors. A.S.Hornby.
"cozy by the fire in February with good wine" hardly fits the description.
and what happened to dinner??? you must be very good looking

p.s. raspberries available in your hood? get some instead straws, and serve a magnum of Gosset Grand Reserve Rose, followed by good Port or Banyuls and he'll be eating out of your hand for quite awile.

To me, by the fireplace is a great place for a picnic or anything else. But, by far, the most romantic wines in the world are the wines from Burgundy.
The reds are soft and velvety, smooth and warm.
But, they are also expensive.
I would skip the German wine because to me, the last Romantic German died in the 19th century. For the white, try a Sancerre, which is fruity and citrussy enough for your palate, and yet, not too sweet, as your boyfriend prefers dry.

Irwin

"Life is short.....start with the dessert."

Agree on Champagne. It's the most appropriate drink for Valentine's Day.

For the dessert, you might try an Italian Brachetto. This is a sweet, Italian sparkling "red" that goes amazingly well with anything chocolate. And its a sparkling, which I agree is ideal for valentine's day. If you go into your local grocery store, you ought to find the Banfi Brachetto D'Acqui, more commonly known as "Rosa Regale." This should definitely fit the occasion and go well with the dessert. And on a side note, I have yet to meet ANY woman who didnt love this stuff, especially with chocolate.

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Originally posted by grunhauser:
picnic - pleasure trip on which food is carried to be eaten outdoors. A.S.Hornby.
"cozy by the fire in February with good wine" hardly fits the description.
and what happened to dinner??? you must be very good looking

p.s. raspberries available in your hood? get some instead straws, and serve a magnum of Gosset Grand Reserve Rose, followed by good Port or Banyuls and he'll be eating out of your hand for quite awile.

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Dinner you ask? He cooks very well and he loves Italian influence, so I'm thinking the picnic in front of the fire as an appetizer would be a fitting prelude to his skills. Hence, the Italian cheeses and meats, as well as the rich dessert, for the menu.

However the idea of him eating out of my hand...hmmmm GRRR Thats the plan, get him intoxicated...it's not about romance at all - LOL


Thanks to you all - I hope this works wonders on him.

[This message was edited by JennFR on Jan 07, 2004 at 01:23 PM.]