Today & Saturday: Valentine's-Themed Tastings at DeLaurenti's

credit:delaurenti.com

DeLaurenti hosts its regular, free, expertly-led wine tasting on Saturday afternoons, but on the occasion of that big, red holiday, bubbly wines are on the menu for an added Friday tasting. On the menu, a series of sparklers: Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace (Brut Blanc de Blanc), Jeio Rosé Prosecco, Les Gardettes Rosé, and Claudio Corallo Chocolates, too.

The shop's longtime cheese buyer, Connie Rizzo, will provide her Coeur de la Crème, a heart-shaped cheese dessert made with crème and crème fraîche, strawberry coulis, and fresh strawberries.

Friday, February 12, 3-5 p.m.
DeLaurenti Specialty Food & Wine, 1435 First Ave., 622-0141.
Free. No RSVP needed.

The regularly scheduled tasting also follows a Valentine theme.

Here's what they're pouring:
Argyle Brut Sparkling Wine
Penner-Ash Viognier
Bethel Heights Pinot Blanc
Mas de Lionne Grenache
and Bergstrom Pinot Noir

Saturday, February 13, 2-4 p.m. Always free.

Trust these longtime gourmet retailers to know their stuff when it comes to champagne (and prosecco and the like) and delicious fresh or ripened dairy. True for both days: the drinking menu will also include pinot noir and grenache for those who hanker for red instead.