As we approach Valentine's Day we start to think of ways to celebrate with our special someone, whether the choice is "bubbly," something to go great with a rich chocolate dessert or with a romantic mid winter dinner, the choices are plentiful. The good news too for consumers is that come this time of year wine tastes change to heartier wines to keep us warm on cold winter nights and also pair with the heavier cooking style that we seek out in wintertime.

So here are some recommendations to help you celebrate this special holiday. As you know we are big "bubbles" fans here at the dinner party so we have many in stock to fit any budget, especially pink Champagne will make a great addition to a romantic evening. We recommend the Perdrier Rose from the Burgundy region of France - delicious, crisp and dry with no sweetness. It is a steal for $11. For those of you who would like a sparkler with less of an eye to budget try the Copinet Rose, true grower Champagne for $55. If you would like a domestic bubbly try the Beacon Hill Rose of Pinot Noir from Tony Soter, also for $55.

Another fun idea if you are entertaining a crowd or if your special date is not a fan of Champagne is to pick up an assortment of sparklers in 187ml bottles. These tiny bubbles hold exactly one glass of Champagne, are priced well (most under $5) and come from a variety of appellations including Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy, and the aforementioned Perdrier.

After a nice aperitif like sparkling it will probably be time to move to some still wine to enjoy by the fire or have with a romantic meal. The choices here quite literally are endless, but our favorite place to start is with Malbec. This Bordeaux varietal is a very small, thick skinned grape of very dark color. The wine produced from it therefore is also very dark and inky, virtually opaque. In our opinion, though one of the most romantic table settings is simple light colored linens with a crystal wine glass filled with Malbec. The color is so intense it can't help but speak to romance.

Malbec too has the varietal characteristics to go with many mid winter romantic meals like Chateaubriand, oven roasted rib eye steaks with mushroom sauce and others. For domestic ones we highly recommend the 2007 Basalt Malbec loaded with notes of blueberry and other dark berries and dark stone fruits for $26.75. At a more gentle price we recommend the Ichanka from the Mendoza region of Argentina, similarly dark and inky, riper and more forward fruit, the wine is delicious for $13.

After dinner it will not doubt be time for some chocolate. The idea of chocolate and red wine has been around for some time but shows no signs of ebbing, in fact more and more folks are getting interested in the combination. A well made Merlot with its traditional chocolate covered cherries aromatics is a great pairing. We recommend the 2006 Chelsea Goldschmidt from California's Dry Creek Valley for $15, or if you really want to splurge the 2005 Pride Mountain Merlot also from California for $54 is a stunning choice.

One final innovative choice that we recently tried is the 2006 late harvest Syrah from the great Washington State winery Dusted Valley, produced in 375ml half bottles for $30. The wine is truly unique showing great red wine characteristics coupled with slight sweetness and a nice chocolate note on the finish.

While getting through all of these categories on Feb. 14 alone would be a challenge, you have some fun choices to carry on throughout the winter months with your special sweetheart.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo. www.thedinnerpartyshop.com