Wines for a certain enchanted evening

Love it or loathe it, Valentine's Day is at the very least a great motivation to break out a "special" wine. It might be pink, or have bubbles, or both. It might be hearty, or silky, or both. It might evoke an old memory, or create a new one, or just have a fitting name.

Toward that end, we asked some local purveyors: "What wine would you most like to share with that someone special on Valentine's?"

Many respondents thought in terms of food. John Lenzmeier of On the Rocks in Hugo called the Cline Cashmere blend ($17) "sheer decadence, soft, supple and velvety. ... It will add finesse to filet mignon and enhance those chocolates in the later hours of the evening."

Lisa Impagliazzo of North Loop in Minneapolis chose a wine with local ties (owner Angus Wurtele) and a fitting moniker: "Terra Valentine is a good, big cabernet [$44] with complexity and layers. It's a real value when compared with other Napa cabs. And it's just a great wine to sit by the fireplace and relax."

Lonny Isenberg of the Minnetonka Haskell's also first mentioned the Terra Valentine but opted for "a sparkling rosé like Veuve Clicquot [$50-$75, depending on vintage]. Champagne is just so celebratory and if you go with a rosé, it's more romantic."

Pink bubbles also won favor with Stephanie Shimp of Scusi in St. Paul: "If I were to pop a cork with my sweetie, it would be Il Follo Rosé Spumante ($18). I can't think of a time of day/time/place when bubbles aren't in favor -- Valentine's Day being no exception."

Victoria Norvell of Lucia's in Minneapolis went a similar route: "I like Innocent Bystander sparkling pink moscato [$12 a half-bottle]. It's got pink bubbles and a cute package, kinda girly."

Taylor Stein of Hennepin Lake Liquors in Minneapolis chose a red from the same region, a blend made in the amarone style (allowing the grapes to dry for several months until they become raisin-y). "The Tommaso Bussola L'Errante ($55) is made that way but with Bordeaux grapes. I usually do some cooking on Valentine's, and this is great with a braised lamb shank. It's a special-occasion wine."