Drinks

After dwelling in New York for a decade, I've grown to despise the brutal month of February. The barren landscape is as gray as the sidewalks, with the Arctic winds chilling me to the bone. But during these depressing days, there's still one event that flips my frown: the release of Tröegs' Nugget Nectar, a seasonal beer that's like the promise of a coming spring.

Now, Harrisburg, Pa.'s Tröegs puts out numerous knockouts. The coffee-infused Java Head Stout combines a.m. and p.m. pleasures, while the DreamWeaver Wheat is tangy and banana-tinged. Then there's the Hopback Amber Ale, so-called because the beer circulates through a hop-packed vessel. It's a heady and aromatic home run. But Hopback's bigger brother, the Nugget Nectar, is a grand slam.

"We wanted to take some of the traits inherent to Hopback Amber Ale -- mainly the sweet finish of the caramel malt -- and interpret that into something different," explains brewery manager Ed Yashinsky.

Why settle for a simple ice cube made of water when you can spruce up any beverage with colorful cubes filled with herbs and fruit?

Unless you're hiding under a rock, you've noticed that, in the days leading up to Valentine's Day, chocolate varieties flood the market. Make your Valentine's more romantic and indulgent with these gourmet chocolate-and-wine varietal pairings.

Green & Black's Organic Chocolate Peanut Bar ($3.50, 3.5 oz)
This smooth-tasting bar is a mix of milk chocolate (37 percent, to be exact), caramelized organic peanuts and sea salt. An Aussie Shiraz – for its fruit-forward, jammy notes – would stack up well with this bar. Or, if you're a fan of whites, consider Gewürztraminer; its sweet notes will contrast nicely with the sea salt.

Harry & David Bing Cherry Chocolates ($22.95, for a 16-oz box)
Embedded inside each of these double-dipped chocolate balls is a dried (but juicy!) bing cherry. Yet when paired with a festive, sparkling Rosé – such as Cupcake Vineyards Brut Rosé, $16, which has a nose of wild strawberries – the chocolate reveals a softer finish.

I'm still having a blast with Crosby Gaige's "Cocktail Guide and Ladies Companion." Now that I'm all in love and treated like a queen by a most amazing man, my single girlfriends won't let me gripe about anything. No matter what I say, I hear, "Well, at least you've got a great guy." This is usually followed by how they wish they could find one. In essence, their hearts are weary from men who "love 'em and leave 'em."

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I figured I wouldn't get too sappy with cocktails topped with rose petals and Champagne; Gaige's Lovum and Leavum cocktail can be found on page 93 in the chapter "The Old Gin Mill." This chapter also includes classics such as the Pegu Club cocktail made with lime juice, gin, curaçao, orange and Angostura bitters that Ms. Audrey Saunders and company named their bar after.

Admit it. When it comes to watching football games on television, you'd rather uncork a bottle of red wine than sip a micro beer. Yet a bag of chips trumps the thought of a fussy four-course meal. That's where we can help. This Sunday's Super Bowl festivities can definitely embrace both wine and traditional game-day snacks. Here are some pairing tips.

There isn't a Super Bowl party out there that won't have a cheesy, creamy dip within the food spread. In terms of matching it with a wine, think bold and robust – like a bottle of Australian Shiraz, Napa Cabernet or Sonoma County Zinfandel. But if whites are your weakness, a dip containing sharp cheddar, Derby or Gruyère will pair just as well with a Sauvignon Blanc. Goat cheese is a popular dip ingredient, and a glass of Chardonnay is a fantastic partner.

With a bag of chips, turn to Riesling, often a favorite pick with Indian and Thai foods. The wine will cut through the salt and spice nicely. Tortilla chips flavored with lime or lemon need a high-acid white to compete with their intensity; we suggest Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, Torrontés or Roussanne. A light-bodied red wine – such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais – is a great selection for salted, roasted or candied nuts. If there are wings at the party, or any kind of barbecued meat, a Malbec or Zinfandel will complement those flavors.