Wines of the Week: "Date Night Wines" on Facebook LIVE

DATE-NIGHT-WINES-LINEUP

The weather's getting chilly, the holidays are coming and who doesn't want someone special to snuggle up with when the weather man issues the first "Snuggle Alert" of the season?I'm here to help set the mood for l'amourwith my latest installment of Wines of the Week featuring four fabulous "Date Night Wines." So whether you've got a (1) Casual First Date, (2) Hot Date with your new Match.com crush, (3) SpecialOccasion Date or (4) 'Date Night' with your husband or wife of many years on the calendar, I've got something for everyone!1.) Galerie Naissance Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, California, 2015 ($30): This elegant white wine from winemaker Laura Díaz Muñoz is a STEAL and is so incredibly versatile it can pair with pretty much any date OR situation. So whether you've got a picnic at the beach or movie night at home planned you're GOOD to GO! And this isn't your everyday Sauvignon Blanc either, Muñoz ferments one third of the grapes in stainless steel for crispness, another third in French oak for aromatics and the remaining third in concrete egg for minerality resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable, complex wine. The name "Naissance" also means "New Beginning" in French and who knows...this first date could be the beginning of something special!2.) Cuvaison Spire Pinot Noir, Carneros, California, 2013 ($50): There is no grape sexier than Pinot Noir. It's temperamental, expensive, high maintenance and often called "the heartbreak grape" by the winemakers themselves but you know what? It's TOTALLY worth it! Pinot Noir is highly aromatic with seductive aromas & flavors of black cherries, chocolate, earth and spice with an undeniably supple, sexy and sensuous mouthfeel...think liquid velvet. There's simply NO better wine for a Hot Date and I love this special splurge from Cuvaison's sustainably farmed Estate Vineyard!3.) Taittinger Prestige Brut Rosé Champagne, Reims, France, NV ($70): Whether it's a birthday, anniversary or even an engagement, Champagne is the perfect choice for the Special Occasion Date. I adore this delightful rosé from Taittinger which gets its gorgeous pink hue from the addition of still Pinot Noir wine which imparts delicious notes of strawberry and raspberry to the finished wine. It's fuller body also makes it perfect for Fall. And since true Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France (for Champagne 101, click here), don't show up with a bottle of a bargain bubbly - an inexpensive bottle like Prosecco might just to get you ghosted!4.) Chateau Le Trois Croix, Fronsac, Bordeaux, 2011 ($35):'Date Night' or simply taking a night to focus on each other without the intrusion of kids, work, pets or phones is very necessary in this day and age. But rather than blowing a lot of money on an expensive bottle of wine, why not just enjoy something with some special significance to both of you? Picking a wine you enjoyed on your first date or discovered during a trip or special meal can be a way of upping the intimacy without breaking the bank. This bottle has special significance to my hubby and me (please watch video below for ALL the deets!) and is a total STEAL at $35 a bottle.For ALL the details on these special "Date Night Wines," please watch the Facebook LIVE video above and to view past episodes of "Wines of the Week" on Facebook LIVE, please click here. And if YOU have any favorite "Date Night Wines" I'd LOVE to hear about the in the Comments section below!Cheers,