Whether you subscribe to the Valentine’s Day marketing machine or are just anxious for flowers to start popping up this spring, these February picks are sure to set your heart a’flutt’ah! But beware! Their versatility makes them great year round. Each of these is sure to transform your impression of what sparkling wines (and pink ones at that) are ALL about!

Pop over to Wicked Local to see what I’m so excited about…

Which wine get credit as your first “Ah-Ha” rose moment?

I perused the world wide web this week to see if I could find any good juice to whet your whistle in anticipation of the  Super Bowl on Sunday, in the way of wine, anyway. For me it is a” holiday” wholly dedicated to enjoying absolutely delicious beers, as you gear up for whatever main meal you may be dishing up (for me it will be homemade pizza, with roast chicken, fresh basil, mozzarella and pineapple).  Maybe I’ll open a bottle of some exceptional vino to pair with my dinner, but more likely I’ll be digging into the Ommegang Abbey Ale – a wine lovers beer, in my humble opinion, because it offers such an intriguing, inviting nose, a round texture and layer upon layer of flavor.

What I found instead was some intriguing news about the world famous Ferran Adria, of Spain’s El Bulli. He’s taking a little break – and the “reason” up for grabs, according to the press.

I was also pleased to see some great thinking and posturing by a couple of folks I respect in the wine writing world:

Check out this post by Joe Roberts/1WineDude regarding a recent listing in the Sommelier Journal about  top picks for 2009. He makes a great point about the price tag on these recommended wines, but I disagree with his conclusion that “the pros don’t find the experience delivered by those bargains to be all that memorable”. Given the audience of the Journal in particular, I have to imagine some of these folks are posturing among their peers. In addition, top restaurants operate on a completely different buying scale. I could go on, but the bottom line is I think if you asked a broader selection of Soms around the country the same question, the outcome would be changed. We might have to revisit this topic sometime…

Last but not least, I was happy to read Dr. Vino’s article on the up-and-coming Blaufrankish varietal (aka Lemberger). Check out his musings here.

Which beverage will be in hand for you this Sunday?

With ‘App Fever’ catching on seemingly as quickly as swine flu, those of us in the wine world can’t help but wonder if the tools out there are really revolutionizing the wine tracking and selecting worlds. There are myriad apps to choose from, of course. Some are designed to help you better organize your notes and/or your wine cellar. (Who doesn’t love a little organization?) Others are designed to help you figure out which wine might pair with your meal when out to eat, or help expand your wine horizons by guiding you to something familiar – but different. Some do both. Some do more.

But is there a simpler way that embraces what wine does by nature, aka socialization?

We’ve had an insane week here at Pour Favor what with the Boston Wine Expo winemakers and other exhibitors in town. It’s weeks like this I am grateful for the folks in my network who find juicy tidbits online and forward them to my attention, just checking to be sure I haven’t missed them. It’s a great way for me to ensure I’ve got my finger on the pulse of what interests other people, too. So this week, enjoy these two “fan favorite” articles!

First up – Tasting is as Tasting Does, aka “My Rating? I Like It!”. Check out this great piece by Katy Mclaughlin over at the Wall Street Journal. This is precisely the kind of thing I’m talking about when it comes to picking out a wine (more on that Monday!).

Next – Now this is something I might have benefited from this past week myself (if only it also had protein and electrolytes!): a liquid Palate Cleanser. Check it out!

Would you be more likely to purchase a wine if it had a “Fan Favorite” thumbs up, rather than 90+ points?

Big news! Massachusetts continues to get its act together in the wonderful world of wine (whether the powers that be like it or not). It’s looking like finally, after three+ years of duking it out in the courts, out-of-state wineries of any shape or size can choose to ship directly to consumers. Read Wine & Spirits Daily’s synopsis (and somewhat surprising take on the matter…) here!

And, of course, we can’t let today go by without mentioning the biggest wine event in Boston happening this weekend: the Boston Wine Expo! You can still get tickets to this well-known event, but if you do, be sure to check out my  Survival Guide to make the most of your experience.

Last but not least, if you’re in the hood and not just a wine nerd, but also a gourmet cheese aficionado, be sure to attend Ball Square Fine Wines’ “Expansion Celebration” event this TUESDAY, Jan. 22, from 5:30-7:30pm.

Did I miss a wine tidbit or event this week? What’s on your vino screen?