Say It With Wine for Valentine's Day

Forget the candy and the flowers! If you really want to win over your sweetheart, give your Valentine a bottle of wine. Even Cupid knows that wine is the perfect sharing beverage. According to a Valentine's Day Online Survey conducted by The Wine Market Council in which both men and women participated equally, 59% said they would be happier to receive wine from their sweetheart on Valentine's Day compared with 41% who would prefer a box of chocolates.

Red, the color of love, was also the color of choice, according to the survey.
Red wine, especially Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, in that order, was a safe choice with 37% who said they preferred it. However, 32% of those surveyed preferred white wine, with Chardonnay coming out head and shoulders on top, and 31% named rosé or blush wine, namely white Zinfandel, as their favorite. The plurality or 45% of the respondents described the type of wine they prefer as "fresh and fruity." Another 28% described their wine preference as "smooth and sophisticated" compared with 20% who answered "crisp and dry." Only 7% described the wine they preferred as "big and bold."

But how to set the mood? Most of these online lovers or 31% said they would like to cozy up with their sweetheart by a warm fireplace and a bottle of wine. Another 24% would like to sip wine with their sweetie while cooking a romantic dinner for two at home. Sharing wine in a sensuous bubble bath was the third favorite place with 17%, followed closely by in a restaurant at 14%. The bedroom was low on the list with 9% and as for the remaining 5% who responded "other," we won't go there.

And what do most people think they will actually receive from their Valentine? Though 59% of those surveyed said they would prefer wine over candy for Valentine's Day, only 14% expected that their sweetheart would really come through with a bottle of wine. Almost 50% expected to receive one of the old standbys--flowers (26%) or candy (23%). Another 21% didn't even expect a token gift.

There's still time to surprise your sweetheart with a bottle of wine to share on Valentine's Day. Even if you don't know your lover's favorite wine, select one you think you will both enjoy; you really can't go wrong. Think of it as a time to share and experiment together. Otherwise consider a fresh and fruity red to share by the fireplace with a CD-carousel filled with your favorite love songs. by Felicia M. Sherbert