When it comes to Valentine's Day wines, take the advice of John Johnson, owner of The Wine Rack (2632 Frankfort Ave.): "You don't want to screw up," he says. "And you don't want a bottle that looks like you got it off the bottom shelf at a drug store. You need an extra edge to make it memorable."
If you're trying to get lucky (and, really, who isn't?), Johnson suggests an $18.99 bottle from Southern France's Gérard Bertrand winery. It's called a Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose. I can't pronounce it either. Again, let Johnson explain: "It's a French sparkling wine," he says. "It has wonderful red berry and floral notes on the nose, along with hints of rising bread."
Johnson says the wine is a blend of 70 percent Chardonnay, 20 percent Chenin Blanc and 10 percent Pinot Noir. "It pairs quite well with everything from shellfish to spicy Asian cuisine," he adds. "If you wish to share it with your valentine over chocolates and strawberries, it's equally ideal for that as well."
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