The St-Germain Carafe and Mini Carafe | SRP: $12.00 | Location: www.stgermaincollection.com
Add a touch of style and sophistication to your romantic evening with this signature St-Germain 1L carafe or 300ml carafe. Each glass piece is embellished with painted fill marks on the side for “Champagne,” “St-Germain” and “Sparkling Water,” making it easier than ever to craft the perfect St-Germaincocktail for that special someone every time. The signature St-Germain Cocktail (Champagne or Dry Sparkling Wine with St-Germain, Sparkling Water, garnished with a twist of lemon and served over ice) has been hailed as a new classic aperitif, while the relatively low sugar content and all-natural product integrity allow diverse pairings with a wide range of base spirits. The large carafe makes approximately 5 cocktails per batch and the mini carafe is perfect for 2.
MARTINI Sparkling Wine Minis
MARTINI sparkling wine minis (187ml) are available in MARTINI Prosecco, Sparkling Rosé, and Asti and are perfect for toasting with your significant other or BFF on Valentine’s Day. For the chic sophisticate – the fully sparkling Prosecco; for the bold and sexy siren – the Sparkling Rosé; and for the stylish sweetheart – the classic Asti. Sold in 4-packs for only $14.99, the minis are ideal for any budget.
Price: $14.99
Location: Available at your local fine liquor store
T-GERMAIN
Below are a number of cocktail recipes that can be easily customized for Valentine’s Day. For example, add fresh fruit or a gorgeous edible flower to the St-Germain cocktail for some extra romance.
The St. Germain Cocktail
- 2 parts MARTINI Prosecco
- 1½ parts St-Germain
- 2 parts Sparkling water
Stir ingredients in a tall ice-filled Collins glass, mixing completely. Think of Paris circa 1947. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Variation: Think of Sartre circa 1947. Be the lemon twist.
La Rosette
- ½ part St-Germain
- Top with Brut Rosé
Serve in a flute glass and garnish with a strawberry.
St-Germain and Champagne
- ½ part St-Germain
- Top with Brut Champagne
Serve in a flute glass and garnish with a strawberry.
CALICHE RUM
Caliche Rum concoctions including the Cali Tidings Punch are the perfect element to prepare for an evening with friends and family. Using an aged, white rum like Caliche, the Champagne Daiquiri is complex, yet refreshing — the perfect balance to ignite the spark for this romantic occasion.
Cali Tidings Punch
1 liter bottle Caliche Rum
1 bottle of sparkling wine
16 oz of Ruby port
12 ozcuraçao liquor
12 oz fresh squeezed and strained orange juice
12 oz unsweetened pineapple juice
8 oz fresh squeezed strained lemon juice
8 oz light agave nectar.
1 large block of ice
For garnish:1 cup of hulled and sliced strawberries, 2 large lemons pitted and sliced and a handful of mint leafs.
In a large punch bowl combine the Caliche, port, curaçao, fruit juices and agave nectar, stir until well incorporated, refrigerate for at least 4 hours. When ready to serve add the ice and garnishes to the bowl, gently stir in the champagne. Serve in small punch cups.
Rum is the New Champagne Daiquiri
- 1 ½ oz Caliche Rum
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
- ½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Top with Brut Champagne (or Dry Sparkling Wine)
Shake first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a flute glass, top with brut Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE GIN
For an elegant, yet bold cocktail, try one of the following Bombay Sapphire gin recipes to elevate your evening’s class and sophistication. Experience each of the 10 botanicals that surface with each sip.
The French 75
- ¾ ounces Bombay Sapphire gin
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ shot of sugar syrup
- Top with Champagne
Shake the first three ingredients with ice and strain into champagne glass, then top with champagne and lightly stir.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Capitol 75
- ¾ ounces Bombay Sapphire
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ shot of sugar syrup
- Top with Martini & Rossi Prosecco
Shake the first three ingredients with ice and strain into champagne glass, then top with champagne and lightly stir.
Garnish with a cherry
Fifty Shades of Grey Wine
Personally blended by Author, E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey Wine varietals include Red Satin, a decadent blend of cherry, cocoa powder creamy caramel and vanilla, and White Silk, which features floral aromas of lychee, honey and pear. Red Satin and White Silk are now available for purchase at www.FiftyShadesWine.com, Albertsons, CVS, Total Wine and More, Vons and other retailers for $17.99.
For fans of the award-winning television series, Downton Abbey®, this is the perfect way to make your special night personalized and classic. British period inspired Downton Abbey Wine helps to create a night full of grace and elegance. Varietals include Claret Bordeaux, which reveals hints of blackberries, raspberries and black currants and Blanc Bordeaux, which boasts notes of tangerine, apricot on a harmonious, crisp palate.
VOGA Italia’s Red Fusion: Made from a blend of 65% Zinfandel and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon from Salento, Red Fusion bursts with blackberry, black cherry and black raspberry notes. The tannin structure and oak aging provide balance, complexity and a long, delicate finish to this contemporary, food-friendly blend. Packaged in the VOGA Italia award-winning trademark cylindrical bottle with re-sealable cap, the soft grey minimalist graphics communicate a subtly masculine quality appropriate for this big, bold red. Red Fusion is available for $11.99 per 750ml at select retailers and www.vogaitalia.com.
Berentzen USA
Since 1758, Berentzen USA has had a rich history as the premier spirits producer in Europe. Based in Germany and known for their fruit liqueurs, Berentzen is now making a bigger splash in the USA. Tey have a great portfolio that just expanded with an apple bourbon, Bushel & Barrel, and a supermint schanpps, called Icemint. The apple bourbon tastes like fall in a bottle and the supermint schnapps is great for the upcoming winter holiday (i.e. mixed with chocolate liqueur for a peppermint patty taste).
The Dreaming Tree Wines
The Dreaming Tree Wines, a collection of California-based wines from world-renowned musician Dave Matthews and award-winning winemaker Steve Reeder, are accessible, approachable and fun wines that are food-friendly and best savored with close friends and loved ones. Even better, the Dreaming Tree Wines are committed to sustainability as the natural cork closure is sustainably grown, the bottle’s label is made with 100% recycled kraft brown paper, and the bottles are sealed with an eco-friendly sealant. Whether you are in a long time relationship or embarking on a first date, The Dreaming Tree Wines are the perfect way to say Happy Valentine’s Day.
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Clos du Bois Rouge
Clos du Bois Rouge, a unique red-blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Charbono, is the perfect wine for V-Day evening. With aromas of jammy blackberry, plum, chocolate, mocha and roasted coffee, followed by notes of lush, red fruit and toasty oak, Rouge is an approachable, easy-drinking wine that pairs perfectly with sweets like chocolate-covered strawberries and decadent chocolate cake. Available at wine and liquor stores nationwide for $11.99, Clos du Bois Rouge is a great addition to any romantic evening.
Planning to impress your Valentine with a home cooked meal? Grill a rack of lamb and serve with Clos du Bois North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon. This ruby red wine has complex aromas of cherry and cassis with hints of toasty oak, bittersweet chocolate and flavors of dark berry. This foolproof pairing will have your loved one swooning. Even if your plans are last minute, you can be sure that Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon is available at wine and liquor stores nationwide for $17.00.
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MARTINI Sparkling Wines
Price: $12.99-$14.99
Location: Available at your local fine liquor store
- MARTINI Sparkling Rosé ($12.99) – Aromatic, sweet and balanced with notes of citrus fruit, elder & peach. The sparkling rosé pairs well with delicately flavored fruits and cheeses and is PERFECT for Valentine’s Day with its soft pink hue!
- MARTINI Prosecco ($14.99)– The invigorating and fully sparkling prosecco is a great alternative to champagne (with only 60 Calories and 1 gram total carbohydrates per 3 ounce serving) and works well to sip alongside spicy chicken, pork or fish.
- MARTINI Asti ($12.99)– A naturally sweet white wine, is the number one-selling imported sparkling wine in the United States. The sweet taste of Asti is an ideal pairing to complement desserts.
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MARTINI Sparkling Wine Minis
Price: $14.99
Location: Available at your local fine liquor store
MARTINI sparkling wine minis (187ml) are available in MARTINI Prosecco, Sparkling Rosé, and Asti and are a great gift for your significant other or best friend on Valentine’s Day. For the chic sophisticate – the fully sparkling Prosecco; for the bold and sexy siren – the Sparkling Rosé; and for the stylish sweetheart – the classic Asti. Sold in 4-packs for only $14.99, the minis are ideal for any budget. They’re very versatile. They can be used as place cards (just tie tags around the bottle and place at a table setting) or served individually (with a straw!) to guests as they arrive.
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St-Germain Bottle
SRP: $5.00 – $28.99
Location: Available at your local fine liquor store
Description: Whether you fancy a perfume-sized mini, modest mid-size or a stunning full 750ml bottle of St-Germain – the unique, old world beauty and artisanal French design of the adds a touch of romance to any home bar. Touted as “Vie Parisienne en Bouteille” or “Parisian Life in a Bottle,” every element – from the opulent eight-sided flute (to resemble the smoky Left Bank bars and curvy Art Nouveau Metro entrances in Paris) to the weighted glass and charming blue and gold ‘turn of the century’ labels – oozes the beloved City of Lights. And like any true couture piece, each bottle is marked with a personal Atelier No. signifying its charm as a truly one-of-a-kind gift.
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Patrón XO Cafe Dark Cocoa
A distinctive blend of ultra premium tequila, the natural essence of the finest coffee and extraordinary chocolate, this liqueur is the perfectly decadent way to indulge on this Valentine’s Day with that special someone. Excellent for sipping or using in a high-quality cocktail like Patrón’s “Goodnight Kiss” recipe that features Patrón XO Café Dark Cocoa, Irish whiskey and hot coffee, this liqueur is sure to warm up the evening and help correct your formerly cliché Valentine’s Day ways.
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E. & J. Gallo Winery
For Valentine’s Day, sales of wine, particularly sparkling wine, soar. Whether people go out to dinner or order a wine from t
he shop to share with someone, sales of wine increase. Sparkling wine does particularly well as it is seen as festive and celebratory. While there are many different types of sparkling wine, the Italian Prosecco from the E. & J. Gallo Winery is the latest and fastest-growing category in the US due to its excellent value (it is typically half to one-third the price of Champagne, yet quality is high), it is perceived as softer, fresher and fruitier in style (bubbles are gentler and it is bottled earlier) and is relatively new in the country.
