Valentine's Day... Throughout the years my respect for this holiday has ebbed and flowed. I began by just hoping for the those Valentine's that had a little bag of candy attached. Then my opinion took a dramatic turn towards Hallmark conspiracy theories and that may have lasted through my mid-20's. But have you ever read about the history of good old St. Valentine? A man who suffered a very gruesome death (that I will not outline here) in order to protect the marriage rights of young lovebirds. As the legend goes, during the third century in Rome, Emperor Claudius II decided to outlaw marriage when he decided that single men made better soldiers than their married counterparts. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. Of course, the history is murky and there is a chance, as with many holidays, that it was invented as a way of Christianizing a very wily Pagan ceremony in ancient Rome. But let's be honest, it's the middle of winter and there is really no reason to balk at a nice excuse to enjoy some chocolate and celebrate love, whether it's a card to your grandmother or a romantic night with a delicious bottle of wine.

And that's where we come in. We've got wines for every different taste preference. But we did pick out some sweet ones for this, the sweetest of holidays. And to make it easy on you, we'll have them open and available to taste this Thursday though Sunday...anytime. Just to give you an idea, the line-up includes a Sauternes, a lovely Black Muscat dessert wine, a Riesling Ice-Wine and a bold Ripasso (a hedonistic red wine that pairs beautifully with dark chocolate).

And if that special someone would prefer a beer with their Valentine, here are a few we might nudge your way: Southern Tier's Creme Brulee Stout, perfect as is or in a beer float (oh yes, it's good!); Samuel Smith's Organic Strawberry Ale; and last but not least Great Divide's Chocolate Infused Oak-Aged Yeti Imperial Stout.

Oh - and by the way, in my perusing of Valentine's tidbits, I did happen across the fact that 85% of Valentine's are purchased by women. Gentlemen, follow my lead: take a piece of paper, fold it in half, draw a heart, pick a lovely quote. It really works...

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese New Year - enjoy!

Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age.
- Anais Nin

Come live in my heart, and pay no rent.
-Samuel Lover

When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.
-Dr. Seuss

I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.
-Roy Croft

The best thing about me is you.
-Shannon Crown