Most of us are always trying to find a way to make a night more romantic for our dates, whether it is at a dinner or just sitting on the couch watching a movie. For me, there is nothing more satisfying than making my date feel that much more special by adding that little extra touch of romance. Luckily, she is a wine lover, so it’s easier for me than for some others. So whatever the case may be, I am going to give you all a few tricks I keep up my sleeve, and if they work for you, well then, let’s just say that you owe me one.
Let’s begin by how you want to start the night off. Champagne! You just have to love it; a wine that not only can start an evening but also end one. Probably the most versatile food wine out there, champagne can just make about any night more romantic. The question remains though, which do you choose, sparkling wine, cava, prosecco or champagne? If you are at a restaurant, do you close your eyes and point at the wine list, praying that it’s good, or maybe ask the sommelier to choose for you and hope that he 
brings you what wine your date likes. What about when you are at a wine shop, how many times do you pace the aisles until finally you pick whatever is closest to you? Here are a few helpful suggestions that you should be able to find in most restaurants and neighborhood wine shop.
Sparkling Wine- America’s answer to Champagne
Gruet, NV, Blanc de Noir, Albuquerque, New Mexico ($15 retail/$30 Rest) – Yeah, that’s right, I said New Mexico. Talk about making quite the name for themselves, Gruet has been turning heads for some years now. Crisp, refreshing and at an unbelievable price, you will definitely earn some romance points with this surprising bubbly.
Schramsberg, NV, Blanc de Noir, Napa Valley, California ($32 retail/$65 Rest) – This one is a little more expensive but well worth it. Heralded as America’s first house of sparkling wine, you can rest assured of a clean, citrusy and aromatic bubbly that will help the romance wherever you may be.
Cava- Spanish, exciting and full of flavor
Caseteller ‘Brut’, NV, Cava, Spain ($13 retail/$32 Rest) – There are a lot of cavas out there. Some good and some really bad, but when you are able to find a good one, remember it. This cava has light notes of lemon, green apple and honey, making a quite suitable sparkling. I would suggest a cava to start a date with, especially if you are doing some oysters.
Prosecco- Something from Italy has to be romantic, right?
San Giuseppe ‘Brut’, NV, Veneto, Italy ($19 retail/$40 Rest) – Champagne’s sexy Italian cousin, Prosecco, is a great way to start an evening. Fruity, tart and refreshing are all attributes prosecco contains whether you are having a glass at the bar or a bottle with some seafood. 
Champagne- The king of all the bubbles
Duval Leroy ‘Cuvee Paris’, NV, Champagne, France ($39 retail/$85 Rest) – Sure, you can pick a bottle of Dom Peringon or Cristal, but why would you want to drop that kind of cash on an overrated champagne? You wouldn’t buy a Delorean knowing what you know today (well of course if it was a time machine that would be a different story, but we are not talking about that!) With some champagne, just as in all wine, you end up paying more for the name on the bottle than you do for what’s inside. Duval Leroy is an amazing champagne that will not break your bank but still can hold a candle to all the big guys. Lemon, fruit and hints of toasted wheat are all great flavors in this champagne that will impress anyone.
Krug ‘Grand Cuvee’, NV, Champagne, France ($180 Retail/$350 Rest) – Yeah, I know this one is pricy, but if a bottle of Krug at your table can’t bring romance into your night, then my friend it’s time to hang it up, ’cause it is definitely you and not them. One of the premier champagne houses in France, Krug differs from the other big name producers, in my opinion, because what you pay for on the outside of the bottle matches what’s on the inside. I have had the pleasure of trying several different Krugs in my day and I will tell you one thing, it’s worth every penny.
Wines with your romantic dinner
So now you are done with the champagne and the romance is in the air, your next course is coming up and you want to keep the mood going. Your date likes big red wines but they hate cabernets…Hmmmn...sounds like an oxymoron, but trust me, these people do exist. Try going the way of a blend. I find that most blends are big enough to hold their own but also have a soft finish that won’t be too overbearing to most. Plus there is nothing like a sexy, silky red wine with dinner to bring in the romance.
Ramey ‘Claret’, 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/ Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, California ($28 Retail/$55 Rest) - David Ramey is one of my favorite producers, and with this wine he once again proves why he is always at the top of his game. Hints of chocolate, strawberry and tobacco are just as tart of things you will find in this blend. Big bold flavors start the wine but the finish is silky and smooth, which makes this wine an easy choice.
L’ecole ‘Perigee’, 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla, Washington ($55 Retail/$90 Rest) – An amazing wine that you should find in a few places, but if you get a chance to try this wine then I say, rose petals in a glass. Now that’s romantic! Multiple layers of raspberry and chocolate make this wine a must try.
Tenuta San Guido ‘Guidalberto’, 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Sangiovese, Tuscany, Italy ($60 Retail/$100 Rest) - I couldn’t be romantic with red wine without mentioning this amazing blend from Italy. Neighboring the vineyards of Sassicaia (One of the most well known wineries of Italy) the fruit for this wine comes from some amazing stock. This blend is a little different; we are starting to talk about some earthy character now. Smoked meats, blackberry, and currant are just some of the flavors you will find. This wine is complex, but don’t be afraid to approach, ’cause once it opens up, it is truly spectacular.
Now the next question is. Can you close the deal?
Now you are done with dinner, you have made this night into one romantic endeavor that you and your date will never forget, but wait; there is still one more course to go—dessert. After all of your hard work and planning you can’t finish the night with a Budweiser in a can. Maybe you like a scotch and a cigar after dinner, but my gut tells me that you may have just blown it with your date. A fun way to end the evening is to go the way of a dessert wine. Here are some dessert wines that will end the night on the right note.
Quady ‘Elysium’, Black Muscat, California ($22 Retail $50 Rest) - This dessert wine is an amazing balance of sweet raspberries and lychee, making it compatible with everything from chocolate desserts to cheeses. My favorite though is to pour it over some vanilla ice cream.
Selaks ‘Ice Wine’, 2006, Riesling/Gewürztraminer, New Zealand (.375 $19 Retail .375 $35 Rest) – This amazing example of an ice wine has scored perfect ratings in years past. Once you try this wine you will understand why. Tasting like a glass of apricot and honey preserves, this ice wine should be romantically linked to a big slice of cheesecake.
Chiarlo ‘Nivole’, NV, Moscato di Asti, Piedmont, Italy (.375ml $15 Retail .375ml $30 Rest) – Now I know that we talked about sparkling wine above, but this is different…a sparkling wine with a touch of sweetness. Slightly sparkling and having a floral aroma invites any couple to enjoy alone or with creamy desserts. True elegance in a champagne glass.
Chateau D’Yquem, 2002, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, Sauternes, Bordeaux (.375$120 Retail .375 $240 Rest) – Sauternes is the king of all dessert wines and like all kings, you have to pay the tax. Well this tax is pricy, but if you ever have the pleasure to try a glass of Chateau D’Yquem, you will not be sorry you paid for it. Hard to find in most restaurants but relatively easier to find in wine shops, this sauternes has one description. Crème Brulee in a glass—need I really say more?