…AND TO DRINK?
In my youth, when entering into tentative relationships with the opposite sex, I would always make it very clear that I didn’t ‘do’ Valentine’s Day. I’d claim that I was taking a stand against commercialism but, if I’m honest, I was just being cheap. Yes, it can be a lot of commercial nonsense but isn’t it nice, one day a year, to tell your wife, husband, partner, live-in lover, or ‘good’ friend, that they’re special? You don’t have to hire a string quartet or a plane to write ‘I’m yours forever, Brenda’ in the sky, but something good to eat, a film perhaps and some champagne always work wonders. Most importantly, make it a really good bottle of champagne. You can be cheap for the rest of the year but not on the 14th February.
Bruno Paillard Blanc de Blancs NV, £64.99: www.selfridges.com
Really lovely stuff – there’s some oranges on the nose and a touch of almonds, and the palate is beautifully balanced between lemons and creaminess. Romance guaranteed.
Henriot Rosé NV, £46: www.oddbins.co.uk
Rosé champagne can sometimes be an expensive let-down so I was particularly taken with this one. It’s toasty and meaty with lots of strawberries and a little orange peel.
NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé, £49.50: www.leaandsandeman.co.uk
My wife, on the other hand, preferred this one. It’s lighter, with more citrus. It’s very elegant but was a little too subtle for me.
Philippe Michel Crema du Jura, £6.99: www.aldi.co.uk
This is the one if money is tight. It’s clean, fizzy and tastes of apples. Great with pizza in front of Casablanca – my ideal night in.
Bruno Paillard Blanc de Blancs NV, £64.99: www.selfridges.com
Really lovely stuff – there’s some oranges on the nose and a touch of almonds, and the palate is beautifully balanced between lemons and creaminess. Romance guaranteed.
Henriot Rosé NV, £46: www.oddbins.co.uk
Rosé champagne can sometimes be an expensive let-down so I was particularly taken with this one. It’s toasty and meaty with lots of strawberries and a little orange peel.
NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé, £49.50: www.leaandsandeman.co.uk
My wife, on the other hand, preferred this one. It’s lighter, with more citrus. It’s very elegant but was a little too subtle for me.
Philippe Michel Crema du Jura, £6.99: www.aldi.co.uk
This is the one if money is tight. It’s clean, fizzy and tastes of apples. Great with pizza in front of Casablanca – my ideal night in.