Jean Smullen goes pink and fizzy for Valentine’s day

2007 Gran Fuedo Rosé €8.89, left and Jacob’s Creek Blanc de Blancs €13.84, right

Today, Thursday February 4^th is officially Imbolic, the quarter day which in ancient times in pagan Ireland heralded the first day of spring. Naturally at this time of year when spring arrives, our thoughts turn to love and we celebrate the feast of St Valentine and the ritual of courtship. Today our mating rituals are sponsored by Hallmark and the wine trade is awash with pink wine and wine with bubbles.

So for this week and next, the wine blog will recommend good-value wines for Valentine’s Day. If you and your significant other are planning a stay-at-home Valentine’s, we have some suggestions which may help. Sparkling wines are good value at the moment. New World sparkling wine is definitely worth a look and Australia has great value; the Jacob’s Creek Blanc de Blancs, €13.84, a new addition to its sparkling wine range, is exclusive to Dunnes Stores and is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

Bottle of the week is a rosé from the Navarra region in Spain, east of Rioja. Bodegas Chivite was originally founded in 1647 and is the one of the oldest wine-producing dynasties in Spain. Gran Fuedo Rosé (Rosado), €8.89,  is a lovely example of a fruity rosé. It is produced from a Spanish grape called Garnacha Tinta, known in France as Grenache. It has lots of red-berry fruit and is light and easy to drink.

If you’re staying home to have a romantic dinner for two then this wine is the ideal accompaniment for pasta or a risotto starter. It is also great with anything spicy such as a Thai green curry or anything cooked with chillis. Serve slightly chilled.

Stockists: Dunnes Stores, Superquinn, O’Briens and all good off-licences nationwide

For my wine event diary check www.jeansmullen.com