Wine Tasting
A spirited way to strike up romance
Setting the Stage:
You don't have to live in Napa to get a taste of the good life and enjoy the sensual sophistication of wine tasting. Grapes are now grown throughout the country from Montana to Florida. For next to nothing, vineyards give tours and tastings of their offerings in incredibly romantic surroundings. A scenic drive through the countryside visiting the local vineyard is the perfect way to wile away a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and spend quality time while you're at it!
For a similar experience closer to home, call your local fine wine retailer. Most of them dedicate one night a week to a tasting of a particular varietal (grape) or wine region. Many culinary schools, restaurants, and extension programs also offer these educational evenings. You'll learn a whole new language together — what an intoxicating way to begin a new hobby with a special new someone!
Begin by visiting localwineevents.com. Make sure you've properly registered for the class and that you've mapped out the route in advance. Take care that your vehicle is clean and is in good working order and the gas tank is full.
IMPORTANT: Call a cab or car service if you drink too much. There's nothing sexy about a DUI — or a car accident.
Dress to Impress:
This date calls for upscale/casual attire.
 | A pair of good jeans or khaki's (flat front, please!) paired with a well made cotton oxford or the old standby — the black turtleneck. |
 | TA cute skirt cut on the bias with a sexy top, or your favorite slacks with a low cut top. A good rule of thumb: you can and should be sexy on a first date, but display one goody at a time! You wouldn't put your stunning chocolate torte on the same platter with the beef roast, right? If you're showcasing your terrific breasts, leave the teeny mini till next time. If you're introducing a mile of leg, a simple top is best. |
Devil's in the Details:
 | Vino, of course. For an extra romantic touch, try a champagne tasting. Which ever you choose, make sure you don't start on an empty stomach. A nice beginning: splurge on some appetizers at an upscale bar before the tasting begins. Remember, the point here is to sip, not to slosh! Few things are more unattractive than a first date who overindulges. Who cares if you can throw around fancy wine lingo if you're slurring your words! |
 | Three guesses. |
 | Music sets the mood for wine tasting. Try a Pucini Opera — Tosca, La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, or Turandot. Go flapper style with some classic roaring twenties jazz such as Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, or Tommy Dorsey. |
 | Watch your date's lips as they sensually indulge in the luxury of wine. |
 | Bring your winning personality and a sense of moderation. |
 | Taste is the topic, and you'll be swirling it in your hands. If you're a complete novice, you can pick up some basics beforehand at WineSpectator.com. Don't be afraid to ask questions — that's what the night is for, and don't be afraid to have an opinion! If you're already a wine expert, keep the bulk of your genius to yourself during class time. No one likes a know it all, and it's much sexier to impress your date later in private. |
 | What could be more thoughtful than to send your date home with a bottle of his/her favorite wine? Consider it an investment. If you play your cards right, by date three, you could be sipping it together while cozying on the sofa! |
 | For Girls who are Naughty by Nature, wine can linger a lonnnnng time on his lips as your tongue licks up the last drops. Très sexy! For Boys who are bad to the bone, look directly into her eyes as you sip, occasionally resting your hand on the small of her back. As always, remember to bring condoms along — discreetly hidden — just in case both parties want the night to lead to a private tasting. |
GET THE BEST WINE FOR YOUR MONEY
Six Strategies To Employ
1. Focus for a moment on what you're in the mood for — red or white. This alone cuts the list in half.
2. Skip the house wine. Unfortunately, these wines are most often purchased on the merit of their price, not their quality. Unless you are familiar with the house wine, don't bother because they generally carry the highest mark-up.
3. Scan the list quickly to get a quick fix on the average price of a bottle. If you see that most wines are in the $20's, $30's, $40's, and so on, try to stay within the median of the price range where the mark-up is "average".
4. Go with a wine from the same region as the restaurant's food specialty. A good Italian restaurant, for instance, should have a solid selection of Italian wines. Ditto for French and South American
5. Ask the server for a wine recommendation. If you happen upon an enthusiastic server, take a chance, at least if ordering by the glass.
6. Buy by the bottle. If two or more individuals at your table are going to have a few glasses, it is more economical to order by the bottle.
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