Original plan for today: sequester myself in bed, away from television, radio and friends, until February 15, at which point I will emerge refreshed, chirpy and blissfully unaware that just the day before the whole wide (coupled) world had enveloped itself in a nauseating fog of red and pink goo. (Yes, I’m single and fabulous. No question mark.) And the plan was an outright success -- ‘till about nine o’clock this morning when I realized, at the sound of the first Happy Valentine’s Day! texts buzzing in, that I had sort of forgotten to quarantine my cell. 

Luckily, I had a Plan B: that is, to treat myself to a Valentine’s Day to remember, made complete with an unforgettable bottle of rosé (pink, check). And lobster tails (red, check).

Who said you can’t drink rosé in the winter? And who said that, in the event that you do, it’s got to be a deep blush? Whoever “said” lied to you so that they could have all the Provencal rosé to themselves while you’re hibernating with a bottle of something else.  Because, rosé (unlike the stuff that comes out of Rush Limbaugh’s mouth) is very rarely inappropriate. And my choice, the Chateau Minuty, turned out to be no aberration. 

This rosé is not your average mindless summer picnic rosé. A cru classé, this Chateau Minuty is part of Provence’s crème de la crème. A blend of grenache (50%), tibouren (25%) and cinsault (25%) grapes, the wine exhibited orange peel, clove, spice (that’s that grenache talking), and floral notes on the palette. But what made it the perfect counterbalance to the buttery goodness of my lobster were the wine’s acidity and its weight -- perfect example of a light-colored rosé being anything but light-bodied. 

For dessert? (Strawberry) ice cream, yes. But not while sitting in front of some chick flick, lamenting over why men fall so frustratingly short of the fairy tale. I’ll be nibbling on the way to the subway, as I make my way to meet friends for drinks. And who knows, maybe somewhere along the way I’ll meet Prince Charming. (Tip for potential suitors: must love dogs wine.)