What's Love Got To Do With It?

By a show of hands, how many people are stressing about Valentine’s Day? Were you able to get that sought-after reservation? Are you cooking a romantic dinner at home and don’t know sauté from flambé? (If you fall into that category – a word of advice – keep the fire extinguisher handy, the fire should be in the bedroom, not the kitchen) Is the little token of affection you bought too much or too little? It’s enough to suck the romance right out of the day.

It may sound like we are cynical, and perhaps we are, but it seems to Gothamist that we try so hard to make sure the day is just right that we end up feeling frustrated - not hopelessly in love. That’s why this Valentine’s Day we are throwing tradition to the wind and mixing things up Gothamist style - and by that we mean heavy on the wine. Now traditional Valentine’s Day wine would be Champagne – you won’t find any of that here. [Writer’s note: dear champagne, you know we love you - nothing personal].

We are going to mix things up with spicy red and white wines that tantalize every last tastebud. Just think, if the wine can create that much excitement – you already are on the right path. Here are our picks of the bold and the beautiful:

Elegant Spice: Syrah embodies that perfect balance of spice and fruit. The delicate notes of white pepper intertwined with rich black fruit are expressive but not flashy. 2001 Paul Jaboulet Aine Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert, Rhone Valley, France, $24.99