"valentines wines" news and stories

The Dirty Dozen - Tim Atkin selects his top 12 bottles for seduction. From the Observer Food Monthly:

1. Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2005 Chile (£4.99 widely available) "elegant, strawberryish.. the best sub-£5 Pinot Noir in the country"

2. Tesco Finest Gewurztraminer 2004 Alsace (£6.99 Tesco) "a great seduction wine. Even if you're not David Ginola"

3. Disznok Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos, Hungary (£21.99 Oddbins) "for the more traditional seducer.. thrilling balance

4. Almond Grove Noble Late Harvest Riesling, 2003, South Africa (£5.99 Majestic) "a dessert wine with flavour to burn"

5. Larmandier-Bernir Champagne, France (£17.95 Vine Trail) "brilliant value organically-grown blend"

6. Felton Road Pinot Noir, 2004, New Zealand (£24.95 Berry Brothers) "one hell of a Pinot Noir"

7. Marques de Monistrol Cava Reserva Rosé, Spain (£4.86 Waitrose) "two bottle for under a tenner at the reduced price. If you're a cheap date, you won't do any better than this"

8. Oudinot Champagne, 2001, France (£19.99 Marks and Spencer) "some attractive bottle-aged characters"

9. GH Mumm Brut Rosé Champagne, France (£29.99 Sainsburys) "really sings in the glass"

10. Little Yering Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia (£6.99 Co-Op) "soft and seductive"

11. Gaillard Cuvée Jeanne Elise Viognier, 2001, Rhone, France (£21.50 H&H Bancroft) half "inordinatetly sexy"

12. Cathiard Nuits St Georges 2000, Burgundy, France (£28.75 Stoe, Vine & Sun) "elegant ready-to-drink"