Valentine's Day Delights

Wine Spectator's guide to a day of wine and roses (and chocolate, and caviar, and romantic escapes …)

Nick Fauchald
Posted: February 5, 2004

		Valentine Wine
		Valentine Food
		Valentine Dining
		Valentine Travel

Valentine's Day, some historians believe, was named in honor of a Roman priest who nobly disobeyed third-century Emperor Claudius II. When Claudius, who believed single men made more loyal soldiers, banned marriage for young men, Valentinus continued performing marriage ceremonies in secret.

Sadly, the rebellious priest was beheaded for his disobedience, but centuries later we still celebrate our right to romance, and take advantage of it (at least, hopefully) once a year each Feb.14.

This year, let Wine Spectator play Cupid and help you plan your romantic interludes. Whether you choose to dine out or stay in, seduce with something sparkly or something sweet, or just run away for a weekend adventure, we've got a quiver full of Valentine's Day ideas.

Valentine's Day by the Glass

Champagne: Our latest Champagne tasting report is bubbling with great bottlings.

California Sparklers: Senior editor James Laube's guide to California's best sparkling wine.

Wine Ratings: Search for Champagne and other wines in our ratings database.

Valentine's Day by the Bite

• Boutique Chocolate: New companies think small and aim high, with quality at a premium.
• Chocolate Cake: Any way you slice it, chocolate cake is a Valentine's Day favorite.
• Why We Crave Chocolate: Much like fine wine, chocolate permeates the senses.
• Decadent Desserts: World-renowned pastry chef Jacques Torres and editor-at-large Harvey Steiman match great dessert wines with recipes.

American Caviar: There's nothing fishy about North America's answer to this classic delicacy.

Oysters: Tips on selecting, preparing and matching wines with oysters.

Food and Wine Pairing: Our online guide to finding the perfect match.

Valentine Dining

• Atlanta: Georgia's capital enters the top tier of restaurant cities.
• Chicago: Three Chicago restaurants showcase the city's talent for self-renewal.
• New York: Veteran chefs star in three new Manhattan restaurants.
• Philadelphia: Veteran chef Jean-Marie Lacroix has put his name on the city's best new restaurant.
• Santa Fe: A cultural and culinary crossroads mixes old and new.

Restaurant Search: Information on more than 3,300 fine dining establisments.

Valentine Outings

• Aspen: This mountain hideaway is now home to a cosmopolitan culinary scene.
• Charleston: Worldly dining and accomodations have caught up to the city's historic attractions.
• Los Angeles: From Golden Age to cutting edge, L.A. hotels accommodate all tastes.
• Phoenix: The area's best resorts offer great golf, fine food and wine, and refuge from a cold winter.
• San Francisco: The best restaurants in San Francisco aren't all trendy, expensive or near your downtown hotel.

Hotel and Resort Guide: Search more than 2,000 of the world's top properties.