Noted for short days and chilly temperatures, winter on the Central Coast transforms golden brown hillsides into tree-studded blankets of green. As revelers gather over convivial meals and Valentine’s Day feasts, it’s no wonder the favored wines of the season tend to display warm nuances of earth and oak, as well as spring-fresh notes of lively spice.
Described as the product of an industry of romance, wine serves as a seductive liquid that can play a pivotal role in conducting matters of the heart. According to Dr. Max Lake, author of Scents and Sensuality, the aromas of certain wines mimic the chemistry of human pheromones and can actually spark a fire in the object of one’s desire.
In general, the earthy scents—such as leather, musk, and truffles—found in red wine bear an uncanny resemblance to male pheromones. Chemical signals produced by members of the distaff side of the human clan are best represented by the tantalizing notes of freshly baked bread found in white and sparkling wines.
In Chicago, Dr. Alan Hirsch, a neurologist working at the Smell and Taste Treatment Research Foundation, discovered that both men and women responded to aromas of lavender, pumpkin pie, and black licorice. Men also showed a marked affinity for oranges and doughnuts, while women derived added pleasure from the scent of cucumber, all of which can, perhaps, serve as a guideline for choosing tasty, and effective, Valentine’s Day wines.
Marked by hearty soups and stews, casseroles and roasted meats, hibernal cuisine—both everyday and special occasion—calls for wines with body and warmth to match.
To successfully pair wines with winter fare and love foods, creative hosts and amorous couples should choose vintages offering plenty of fruit, sturdy structure, and a lingering finish, any of which, with luck, will evoke some of the key components mentioned above.
For a fine selection of Valentine-worthy sippers, look to the ruby-, garnet-, and plum-hued wines that line winery racks and store shelves. The dark fruit components and floral aromas, coupled with rich, velvety tannins, provide a measure of the aphrodisiacal attributes that can help jumpstart a heady sensual experience.
Generally bold and jammy, with loads of fruit and sound structure, Sangiovese pairs nicely with everything from old-fashioned pot roast to chunky chile con carne. With its sturdy tannins and medium to high acidity, this wine also makes a fine accompaniment for pastas, especially saucy spaghetti nibbled intimately in the manner of those smitten movie pooches, Lady and the Tramp.
For a treat, try a bottle of Makor 2008 Sangiovese, an affordable beauty that boasts notes of bright red fruit laced with dark notes of strawberry and plum. Small crops of intensely flavored berries from White Hawk Vineyard, located in Cat Canyon, went into the wine, lending depth and complexity to this drinkable delight.
Other local offerings of note include Stolpman Vineyards 2006 Sangiovese, an elegant wine featuring dried cherry components wrapped in silky tannins, and Palmina Wines 2007 “Alisos” Sangiovese, which is graced with resounding notes of sweet cherry and red licorice.
An innovative blend from Silver Wines, called I TRE FIGLI, brings together nearly equal parts of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon with an added touch of Cabernet Franc. This proprietary, Super Tuscan-style blend fills the glass with plush strawberry, dark violet, and spice components, as well as compelling notes of berry and wood that will set amorous hearts a-thumping.
Tempranillo, a food-friendly Spanish varietal noted for its smoky spice and floral aromas, fairly sings with the hearty fare of winter. The Verdad 2008 Tempranillo offers an earthiness and dark fruit that enhance flavorful dishes, such as jambalaya, chicken cacciatore, and pasta carbonara for two.
To match creamy mushroom risotto or spicy beef, reach for a bottle of Buttonwood Farm Winery 2008 Syrah, a full-flavored vintage with tantalizing hints of toasty cedar and lavender in the nose. On the palate, notes of plum, blackberry, and dark chocolate dance, all in service of Cupid’s good work.
Truly a wine of love, Pinot Noir can drive sensitive souls to recite flurries of French poetry in the name of romance. Sometimes described as feminine, this difficult-to-make wine boasts the intrigue of a tender tryst, as well as the promise of a lasting pledge.
The Bedford Winery 2008 Pinot Noir, a wine grown in the cool Arroyo Grande Valley, displays plenty of elegant cherry, earth, and spicy nuances to stir the senses. Serve it with heart-warming dishes, such as roasted turkey or stuffed game hens, dished up in the name of love.
Of course, a golden sparkling wine, such as Laetitia 2007 Brut de Blanc, creates a winning combination when paired with fresh oysters, juicy strawberries, or even a crisp cucumber salad. The wine’s floral, lemon, and citrus aromas introduce palate-pleasing notes of peach and toasted bread in a perfectly balanced quaff that makes a perfect special occasion aperitif or a fine beverage for a ramble down Lover’s Lane.
K. Reka Badger can’t wait for V-Day. Send her some love at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Feb 10-17, 2011.