Need the help of a wine genius...

[Tisseel]

I'm pretty new to the wine universe so bear with me if I sound stupid. I'm making a romantic dinner for my girlfriend in a few days and the problem I have is that she really only likes white zinfendals. I find the white zin very sweet and am not sure what foods to pair it with. Can anyone suggest a similar wine that would be easier to match with foods... or maybe some foods that would be easier to match with the white zin? here is the menu I have currently planned:

appetizer: fruits and cheese
main course: roasted duck and vegetables
dessert: chocolate filled bombacino

The meal will be spread out over the course of two hours if that makes a difference. Thanks for any input... the menu or the wine.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Tisseel, and welcome to the Wine Board. Sorry, no geniuses around here. A white zin could possibly work if she is really stuck on that. 2000 Buehler, Napa Valley, White Zinfandel is only slightly off dry (1.6% residual sugar), runs around $8, and is very nice.

A better choice that she might go for is the 2001 Nouveau Beaujolais that has been on the market less than two weeks. It is fruity and refreshing, and, although bone dry, has the allusion of sweetness.

The best choice, and you would be taking a chance here is pinot noir. Villa Mt Eden is a nice one that won't cost much more than the Nouveau. A very elegant pinot is Frei Brothers, Russian River Valley that will run around $18. That is what I would drink with the duck.

For that dessert, recommend you either get a dessert wine such as Port or Late Harvest Zinfandel, or serve coffee.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 11-27-2001).]

[Drew]

Not the time to risk romantics experimenting with wine on a girlfriend. Buy a bottle of white zin for her and a pinot for you, which goes great with duck like Innkeeper suggested. During the dinner ask her if she'd like to taste your wine and no matter her response, your covered cause you got two bottles of wine. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img] The below thread might help in selecting a white zin.

http://www.wines.com/ubb2/Forum26/HTML/000018.html

Drew

[Tisseel]

Thanks for the tips... you're both lifesavers...

[Botafogo]

You want to get lucky, get her a bottle of Moscato d'Asti....works every time. She will love it period and you can have some with the chocolate.

Now where's that McAurthur grant?

Roberto

[winedope]

take it from a woman- the Moscato AND chocolate-you're definitely going to score major brownie points!! WD

[Thomas]

..after all these years I thought it was me, but now I discover it's the wine and chocolate that has made my success story!!!!

[cpurvis]

Foodie, your success would be even greater if you'd recognize the merits of Moscato d'Asti [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

cp

[Botafogo]

In the immortal words of John Gotti:

"Ba-da-Bing...Ba-da-Boom!"

Moscato....use protection or name the baby after us!

Roberto

[winedope]

guys,guys,guys-
I said score major points, not score. The moscato and chocolate are great, but quality is required in all aspects, at least for me. If the guy is lacking, the yummies won't be enough to pick up the slack.

[Thomas]

...I knew it had to be meeeeeeee!

Anyone out there ever try Champagne with white chocolate---supoib match if the Champagne has a little residual sugar.

[winedope]

so Foodie- any specific Champagne suggestions to to with white chocolate? sounds good. WD

[cpurvis]

"white chocolate"..tch, tch Foodie...you KNOW that's a misnomer.

As for "champagne" sweet enough to go with it, try Motif [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/tongue.gif[/img]

cp

[Botafogo]

Jean Milan Grand Cru Oger Sec "Tendresse"! Here is our shelf talker for it:

Hey, you...yeah, YOU! Wanna get lucky?

Then this is the one you want: rich, smooth, round, perfect with fresh strawberries, chocolate, a care package from Victoria’s Secret...use your imagination. Finally, a truly high quality off-dry (no, we’re actually going to say it: SWEET!) Champagne that’s the perfect thing with breakfast in bed, dessert, sunsets, fireplaces and long French kisses.

Jean Milan Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Sec “Tendresse”, Oger

A public service from your friends at WINE EXPO

[winedope]

thanks much for the suggestions, all. do these work on guys as well or is there something else I should try to find ?? WD

[hotwine]

We're easy, WD. A Lone Star works just fine.

[Innkeeper]

Got turned on by the Malvasia Delle Lipari last night.

[Botafogo]

IK, fifteen years ago (and that was before we found out what a perv Woody Allen was) the guy selling that Malvasia told me "Roberto, you-a know-a Woody Allen, he getta lucky with-a la Sophia (as in Lauren) with a bottle of-a this-a wine!"

[Thomas]

winedope, with guys all you have to do is to say hello...at least with the guys on this board.

[Tisseel]

Thanks so much for all your help... the night was a fabulous success... FABULOUS!!!!