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Wines of the week: Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Rosé NV; Vina Pomal Centenario Crianza, 2007; Bluff Hill Sparkling Rosé
Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy
Sunday lunch
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Rosé NV
Yes, we know the real day is tomorrow, but let's not quibble about details. What else could I recommend for a suitably romantic Valentine's Day than a seriously good bottle of pink champagne such as this? It's subtle, refined, toasty and has a long, satisfying finish. Accompanying nibbles? Oysters, obviously. But raw almonds, fried briefly in butter, with sea salt and pepper, do brilliantly.
£37.99, harrods.com, selfridges.com, waitrose.com and other major retailers
Weekday supper
Vina Pomal Centenario Crianza, 2007
There are many excellent rosés on sale at the moment but, for me, February is just not the right time of year for something which requires severe chilling. This, however, is a balanced, medium-bodied Rioja, full of spicy oak and dark fruits, that would do ample justice to a simple grilled main course, such as calves' liver with sage or peppered tuna steak for that cosy fireside supper à deux.
£9.99 (or £7.49 when buying two bottles), majestic.co.uk
Bargain basement
Bluff Hill Sparkling Rosé
If your budget cannot stretch to the Veuve Clicquot, do not panic, because this is a wonderful time to stock up on some of the other sparklers available on the high street. This is the pick of a particularly good range from M&S: refreshing, full-bodied, fruity and ideal either as an aperitif or with pudding, demonstrating the increasing diversity of New Zealand wines. There is a white version, although it is not currently discounted.
£7.99 (until 27 February; normally £9.99), marksandspencer.com
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