Debbie’s Valentine’s Day Picks

Ferrari Carano Sonoma County Tresor 2017


Aptly named Trésor for “treasure,” this is a Cabernet Sauvignon- based Bordeaux style wine from Sonoma County. A seductive blend of hand harvested grapes showing lush, ripe fruit flavors and aromas with concentration and finesse. Twenty months of barrel aging aids in the integration and balance of fruit, tannin and oak.

If your love language is food, Ferrari Carano Tressor may become one of your favorite dinner companions. Trésor complements a wide range of grilled and braised meat dishes including lamb, filet mignon or beef stew. With an aging potential of 10 years this wine would be a special Valentines Day wedding gift for the couple that has everything.


After Hours Raspberry Sour


For the connoisseur and casual beer drinkers looking for a unique tasting experience the sour beer category offers a wide variety of flavors. This style is tart and bubbly with a bit of funk and earthiness. The palate is typically crisp and dry with a fruity center and balanced acidity.

Valentines Day is made for indulgence and it’s the perfect time to fall in love with After Hours Raspberry Sour. If homemade raspberry jam and biscuits could be bottled it would taste very similar to this offering by PEI Brewing Company.

After Hours Raspberry Sour is a kettle sourced wheat beer that has been conditioned and finished on real raspberries giving it an enticing aroma, taste and amazing pink color. The combination of flavors and textures makes this sour an ideal pairing with all sorts of flavors, particularly dishes that are salty, fatty or acidic. Treat your Valentines Day partner to a decadent dinner featuring dishes with fresh goat cheese, grilled chicken with raspberry coulis and finish with an assortment of Island chocolates.


Maison Jaffelin Puligny- Montrachet


The everlasting love between France and Chardonnay has existed for centuries with some of the best wines coming from the heart of Burgundy, the Cote de Beaune. It is from this appellation the impressive 2017 Masion Jaffelin Puligney-Montrachet is produced. The wines from the 2017 vintage are ripe and fleshy with a vibrant structure. Jaffelin Puligny-Montrachet is a great representation of this vintage.

The grapes were hand harvested and fermented entirely in French oak with occasional battonage. The Jaffelin Puligny-Montrachet is aromatic with green apples, freshly sliced pears and citrus on the nose. The palate is well balanced with orange zest and hints of lime. It shows great minerality and vibrant acidity on the long, focused finish.



Rossignol Raspberry Festival


Rossignol Raspberry Festival is produced using 100% local red and black raspberries that are harvested at Wheatley’s Raspberry Farm in Suffolk, PEI. Raspberries are one of nature’s intriguing sweet and tart fruits. The mouth watering tartness contrasts beautifully with the natural sugars and provides an excellent beginning for Rossignol Raspberry Festival. This award winning wine is richly textured with layers of raspberry jam and tangy acidity.

Rossignol Raspberry Festival is a wonderful alternative to dessert but pairs beautifully with many chocolate and fruit based desserts. Create a romantic ending to your Valentines celebration with a chocolate fondue featuring an assortment of fresh and dried fruit, cookies, and sweet breads.

Try mixing up a Cupid’s Kiss cocktail for your Valentine:

Ingredients

Method

  • Pour Raspberry Festival into Champagne glass
  • Top with Sparkling Wine and garnish with raspberries.

Makes 1 drink.




Baileys Original Irish Cream


Baileys Irish Cream is classic liquor created in Dublin in 1971. The goal was to develop a unique drink worth of Ireland’s storied heritage. By combining Irish whiskey, fresh cream with cocoa and vanilla beans the legendary Baileys was born. Today it remains one of the best selling cream liquors worldwide.

It offers so much diversity in baking and a delious backdrop to many cocktail and coffee based recipes. Baileys is a great complement to all chocolate inspired desserts. For something a bit different grab a few Brazil or macadamias nuts; the sweet chocolate and salty tones are an interesting flavor combination. For a special Valentine’s Day dinner dessert, check out the Raspberry Cheesecake recipe. Fresh Raspberries paired with Baileys is a match made in heaven.

Start your Valentines by treating your sweetheart to a strawberry and chocolate inspired brunch. A serving of fresh fruit pancakes with strawberry compote alongside a steaming cup of coffee and Baileys is sure to put a bit of sizzle in your morning.

Ménage à Trois Cocktail

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

  • Muddle 5 Raspberries.
  • Fill shaker with ice.
  • Add Baileys, Vodka and muddled berries.
  • Shake vigorously.
  • Strain into martini glass.
  • Garnish with 2 speared raspberries.