Valentine Wine For a Variety of Loves from Friends to Kids
From a Passito from Umbria (the home of Saint Valentine) to Sparkling grape juice from Calistoga.
Monique Soltani is back on live TV sharing her love of wine with KTVU’s Sal Castaneda on The Nine.
We begin in Italy where we travel to Umbria, the region known as the Green Heart of Italy.
Saint Valentine was from Umbira and he used a wine from the region as his love potion to marry star crossed lovers of the time.
ROMANTIC LOVE: Cantina Antonelli Montefalco Sagrantino Passito DOC $40 – Umbria
Sweet wine made from semi-dried grapes. Cantina Antonelli makes a traditional version of Montefalco Sagrantino. The name derives from the Latin “sacer”: a holy wine destined for consumption during the Christian festivals.
Grape varietal Sagrantino 100% First vintage 1979 Harvest At the end of September, the grapes are hand-picked and placed in crates in single layers. The bunches most suited for drying are specially selected. Drying method On crates for about two months.
PAIRING: Heston Cakes prepared a three-layer organic dark-chocolate cake filled with and frosted with a chocolate ganache buttercream. The cake will be topped with seasonally-themed berries and flowers.
ROMANTIC LOVE: Rodney Strong 2016 Symmetry $55 – Sonoma
Symmetry is an iconic wine family owned and locally grown Rodney Strong Vineyards. It’s a traditional Bordeaux-style red blend they been crafting since 1996.
The name “Symmetry” means balance, and the winemakers’ ultimate goal is to craft a blend that is in harmony. For Valentine’s Day this can also represent harmony between someone and their significant other! harmonious, intensely flavored and elegant.
This is a classic Bordeaux-style red blend with all 5 varieties represented, in various amounts according to the vintage. In 2016 the blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot.
PAIRING: Two tickets to the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience May 18-21. It’s the 2nd annual event, seminars, grand tasting (downtown Healdsburg), culinary demonstrations at The Matheson. For those attending the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience in May, tickets to the events, including Little Red Door’s Farm-to-Glass seminar on Saturday, May 20th, from 3:00 -4:30 p.m.
GALENTINE’S DAY: 2020 Fontaine Dry Rose $16 – Mendocino
Galentine’s Day is Observed on February 13 and was created by Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation. The friend-filled holiday dates back over a decade to season two (2010), episode 16 of Parks and Rec.
The family winery has put earth first since day one. California Certified Organic Farmers in 1991. Supplementing his eco-friendly vision of sustainable agriculture, he built a hydroelectric power plant with 300 solar panels, making McFadden Farm a net producer of renewable energy.
This crisp, dry Rosé of Pinot Noir is well-balanced with strawberry notes and fresh flowers dominating the nose. Like spring sunshine, the palate is crisp, bright, refreshing, and more importantly, it’s dry.
PAIRING: shrimp cocktail + cheese + popcorn
CHILD’S LOVE: Castello di Amorosa Sparkling Grape Juice Red Blend – Calistoga
The name translates to Castle of Love and we love this sweet and refreshing non-alcoholic juice made from premium red wine grapes, with a pleasant spritziness which adds an invigorating twist to this delicate grape juice. Made from 90% Gamay, 5% Grenache and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietals.
Castello di Amorosa is certainly Napa Valley’s most unique winery It is one of the most visited wineries in the country. It is one of the largest direct-to-consumer wineries in the country (you won’t find their wines in stores or restaurants, only available at/from the winery/website)
PAIRING: stuffy, candy hearts, and a big hug and lots of love from mom 😀
