by Dwight Casimere
Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Instead of going with the traditional sparkling wine or Champagne idea, why not try something different? German Riesling is a terrific dry, food friendly wine that undeservedly gets overlooked. Most people think of Riesling incorrectly as a "sweet" wine. True Riesling is anything but that. True, it has an abundance of bright fruit flavor, green apples, citrus and hints of white flowers and a bite of tangerine or mandarin orange, but never cloyingly sweet, as some pretenders tend to be. Most people are also unaware that Germany produces some terrific dry red wines, particularly Pinot Noir, that have lovely flavor notes and aromas of crushed red roses, ripe raspberry and blueberry flavors and a hint of pepper, that make them ideal with a Valentine's meal of Surf 'N Turf or Roast Orange Duckling. The Dr. Loosen 2014 Wesem Pinot Noir from the Rheinhessen-$23 is perfect for Valentine's Day. It can take you right through the meal to a sumptuous decadent dessert, or a pairing with dark chocolates or traditional chocolate covered strawberries. Another great Valentine's Day wine is 2014 Dr. Loosen
"Red Slate" Dry Riesling from the Mosel-$18. This is another great flavor pairing with traditional Valentine's Day delicacies; Shrimp Scampi, Lobster Thermidor or Veal Picante. Try this Riesling with assorted Valentine's Day candies, particularly the heart-shaped fruit-flavored lollipops that are so popular. You may want to save a little on the side to savor after Valentine's Day.
"Red Slate" Dry Riesling from the Mosel-$18. This is another great flavor pairing with traditional Valentine's Day delicacies; Shrimp Scampi, Lobster Thermidor or Veal Picante. Try this Riesling with assorted Valentine's Day candies, particularly the heart-shaped fruit-flavored lollipops that are so popular. You may want to save a little on the side to savor after Valentine's Day.