Last night was not our typical Valentine’s dinner. We usually go to the local Chinese place because my daughter thinks it is the best place ever. This year, we stayed home and slowly worked our way through about 6-7 courses and an equal number of wines. I had a few dozen bottles left over from a marathon tasting on Monday, so I made a bunch of small dishes and served a different wine with each.

We started with lox and red onion, which was paired with a fresh, dry Washington State Riesling….perfect! Second came three huge scallops, seared medium-rare with a Sicilian white wine which I had never heard of (reply to me and I will tell you what it was) and that wine may be the best Italian white I have ever had!

Next I sautéed some shrimp in olive oil and garlic alongside a dry French rose, one of my favorite combos. For the fourth course, I grilled pork medallions and paired them with Santenay, a Burgundian Pinot Noir. Then we sipped Carpentino’s Dogajalo red with rigatoni and marinara.

Finally we grilled some sirloin steaks with a glass of Roth Cabernet from the Alexander Valley, which was yummy. I could really get used to dining like that every night….maybe when I retire! I think this is what the Italians call slow food!

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida Wine Supervisor

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