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RSSMy Funny Valentine Wine
Every year, just before February 14th, people scurry to find the perfect token of affection for their loved one. But what about the other 364 days? Personally, I go with the Rodgers and Hart classic, My Funny Valentine, that Each day is Valentines Day, so I cooked my Valentine dinner on February 10th.
I assembled the most aphrodisiac food and wine I could find. Top of the list: oysters - high in zinc for increasing testosterone levels. Halfway through eating them garnished with mango salsa, hubby and I agreed - they work.
To pair with oysters, nothing is more romantic than a good sparkler. Blue Mountain Brut was an easy choice. As a cult favorite, Blue Mountain wines were always difficult to obtain, but thanks to the current recession, they are now available in stores. After their upcoming gold label bottles appears, I hope they Don’t change a hair for me.
This NV Brut has such a fine mousse and exudes aromas of toasty lemon and green apple. The palate is crisp and fresh with tart apple and citric notes leading to a dry, clean finish that leaves a tingle of lemon. It was so perfect with our oysters; we almost jumped into bed that moment. But I said, Stay little Valentine, stay.
For our main course, I baked-broiled chicken thighs in a Mediterranean-style sauce and topped them with olives and another aphrodisiac, avocado, cut into heart shapes.
As an accompaniment: Mon Coeur 2007, romantic in name and effect. This Cotes-du-Rhone Syrah from ancient family-owned winery J.L. Chave is wild and lusty in its approach and hearty in delivery, perfect for prowling any lover. It has luscious aromas of spicy red, black, and purple fruit, with notes of cola, licorice and lavender. The velvety mouthfeel is deep and complex with chewy blackberries and black cherry, silky tannins, chocolate, earth, anise, and brown spices. Savoring the sarsaparilla/plum sauce finish, hubby asked me, Is your mouth a little weak?
For dessert, dark chocolate. My favorite is Dove and not just because the name is one letter from “Love." As expected, it melted smoothly with Mon Coeur, and created a plum pudding flavour. The Brut complemented Dove too, but from a crispier, root beer float angle. They both Made me smile from my heart.
Funny is sexy and My Funny Valentine has more amusing, borderline insulting lyrics to learn. Singing them would be a very funny Valentine, indeed.