BUBBLES AT DIDA’S FOR VALENTINES DAY

February, for those with a sense of occasion, means Waitangi Day and the forging of a nation, but for those romantically inclined it means St. Valentines Day.

Who was this mysterious Saint and what is the history behind the celebration? According to one legend, Claudius II in the 3rd Century outlawed young men from marrying (his source of potential soldiers) but Valentine, a priest, defied Claudius and continued to marry young lovers. Claudius had him executed but Valentine was declared a martyr and sainted by the Pope.

Sending red roses on Valentines Day as a declaration of undying devotion is a very sweet thought. But considering the pecuniary cynical world we live in, the reaction might well be (with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning) “How do you love me? Let me count the roses.” Not to mention the inevitable issues with heat in February.

Maybe it’s best to come on in to Dida’s and enjoy a glass of Allan Scott Bubbly with your loved one. The fries are on us for Valentine’s Day - we can’t wait to see you both.

Happy Valentines Day plates style cuisine and the superb skills of our talented culinary team work hard to pair perfect morsels with the multiple by-the-glass options of local and imported and hard-to-find wines.

Didas Wine Lounge – Where wine meets food. Tuesday to Saturday 3 pm – 10 pm. 60 Jervois Road, Herne Bay.

Convivially yours, the Dida's Wine Lounge encourages leisurely engagements with the comprehensive wine list and the ever-changing, always-innovative food menu. The smallDIDA’S, 60 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 2813, www.didaswinelounge.co.nz

PHIL PARKER: FAB FEB FLAVOURS

Happy New Year, folks. Here we go with another monster edition of fantastic wines to usher in 2023 and beyond. Cheers!

Giesen Gemstone Marlborough Riesling 2021- $20

Crisp, light and bursting with flavour. 11.5% alcohol with a hint of spritzy CO2, and flavours of lime zest, jasmine, canned peach, a hint of tropical lychee and Muscat grape juice. Avaliable: finewinedelivery.co.nz

Giesen Marlborough Riesling 2022 - $14

Again, crisp and fruity with lively acidity and raisiny freshness, citrus notes and 11% alcohol. A great summer quencher. Available: winesale.co.nz

Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Riesling 2020 - $32

Full bodied and concentrated, with a slightly funky nose and aromas of ripe grapefruit. Medium sweet at 13% alcohol. A rich and lengthy palate of grapefruit marmalade, lemon and beeswax. Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Herne Bay Cellars.

Astrolabe Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - $27

A very approachable softer style of Sav, with a respectable 13% alcohol. Tropical flavours of pineapple, melon and passionfruit dominate backed up by a dash of green capsicum and green tomato. Available: Glengarry, Caro’s.

Astrolabe Kēkerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - $32

Even more subtle than the Awatere Valley, and a tad less alcohol at 13.5%. Elegant and restrained with flavours of gooseberry, melon, fresh picked peas and a hint of ripe blackcurrant. Delicious! Available: Caro’s

Domaine des Pothiers La Colline en Flamme Chardonnay 2021 - $33

Lightly oaked in a Chablis style. Soft acids, with stone fruit, pear and funky yeasty tang – with a crisp, dry finish. Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash.

Domaine des Pothiers La Colline en Flamme Rouge 2021 - $29

Smoky, spicy, and youthfully ripe. Flavours of cassis, black currant, dark berry fruits and a funky gaminess. 12% alcohol. Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash.

Domaine des Pothiers La Chapelle 2020 - $45

Made from a unique clone of Gamay Noir known as "Saint Romain" from the northwest of Lyon. Ripe, rounded and soft with black cherry, cassis and savoury barnyardy hints. Available: regionalwines.co.nz, Dhall & Nash.

Taylors Limestone Coast Clare Valley Shiraz 2020 - $16 Soft tannins in a medium Aussie shiraz style. Spice, mocha, plum cake and cassis with a nudge of ruby port. Available: widely.

Taylors Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 - $16

Ripe and juicy with soft plummy spice, blackberry, and boysenberry. Sumptuously soft and extremely drinkable at a young age. Available: widely.

Domaine des Pothiers Eclipse Methode Ancestrale 2020 - $37

Eclipse is a biodynamic organic ‘methode ancestral’ (aka Pet Nat) sparkling gamay noir rosé from the northern Loire Valley. Medium off-dry with tart citrus, red berry fruit flavours and a strawberries and cream palate. Delightfully fizzy with fine beaded bubbles. Available: Fine O Wine, Pt. Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash.

The Uncommon Wine of New Zealand - $29.99 for 4 x 250ml cans

Fizzy wine in a can – hey no problem. Easily chilled and transported for that summer picnic or BBQ. They come recyclable aluminium cans, each containing a third of a regular bottle of wine. Available: wearetheuncommon.co.nz

The Uncommon Wine Bubbly White

Carbonated sauvignon blanc from Marlborough. Typical sauv flavours of passionfruit, guava and gooseberry with crisp citrus acidity. Available: wearetheuncommon.co.nz

The Uncommon Wine Bubbly Rosé

Pinot noir rosé with the fun of spritzy bubbles. Dry and crisp Provence style with red summer berry flavours and a crisp finish. Available: Farro Grey Lynn, wearetheuncommon.co.nz (PHIL PARKER)  PN