It seems that we were just financially compromised with the recent gift-giving season. With barely a month to recover, we are again asked to pony-up for the manufactured holiday promoting romance through gifting chocolate, flowers and jewelry to our fairer-sex sweethearts.

Make no mistake, I am no philistine and certainly not aromantic but it seems that there is an uneven pressure placed on the male of a relationship to bestow trinkets of affection. The argument exists that other male animals, including our closest relatives the chimpanzees, practice gift giving during courtship to attract their mates; but we have “evolved” since then, haven’t we.

This year, I mean to shake things up by turning tides and asking all the Sheilas out there to pick up the baton and show your significant other how much you appreciate them. Fret not, as I am here to assist you in your shopping endeavors to find the perfect gift that oozes romance, right out of the bottle.

There exists a stigma in the beverage industry that white and lighter red wines are more for females and bold wines are more for men. The industry has even forwarded this notion by using the terms masculine and feminine to describe attributes in the wine. Rubbish. I think that wines are gender neutral and if your mate is a white wine lover, that should in no way be emasculating.

Albariño

So, if this describes your guy, I highly recommend steering him toward the Albariño variety. Although the grape’s spiritual home remains in the north west areas of Spain and northern Portugal, there are some exciting examples for other regions such as Sillages Albariño 2023 ($16) from the Languedoc area of southern France. The wine has overt orchard and citrus fruit, a white floral note and mouth-watering ocean spray, brined acidity; a wonderful accompaniment with anything that lives in the ocean.

Grenache

If searching for a lighter red, many would, and rightfully so, turn to a Pinot Noir. Although, I am an admitted Pinotphile, there are even more interesting avenues worth exploring. Grenache is one of my favorite grapes in this category and can be found in varietal wines and blends in some of the famous regions of Spain and southern France.

On our side of the pond, I believe some of the best examples hail from the great state of Washington. These wines exude a restrained elegance that one has to experience to fully appreciate. Elk Haven Grenache 2021 ($48) remains one of the finest examples I have had the pleasure of sampling and although all of Elk Haven’s wines are incredibly well made, I think this one in particular is one of their shining stars. The fruit component (raspberry and plum) dance with baking spices (anise, cinnamon) along with an attractive earthy element on the palate. I love this wine with North African dishes and barbecue.

Mourvèdre

Some guys fail to be satisfied unless a “big” red wine fills their glass. If that sounds like your beau then before you reach for that California Cabernet, take a moment to weigh your options. Taking a grape variety that makes big wines in hotter climates and growing it in slightly cooler climates can be enormously rewarding. Mourvèdre (aka Mataro) grows in some of the hottest areas in Southern France and Spain but can transition to theses slightly cooler environments.

Keeping the same regional motif, Washington State allows the Mourvèdre grape to stay satisfied with enormous amounts of sunlight during the growing season. The cooler nights, however, allow the vine to “rest,” preserving its natural acidity and delivering a certain freshness that the homeland counterparts often lack.

Rotie Cellars Dre 2022 ($65) serves up 100% Mourvèdre from the Wallula Vineyard along the eastern edge of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The wine has rich red and black fruit (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, currant), meaty leather, freshly sharpened pencil graphite, and an interesting sweet baking spice and at 15% abv, temperance is absent. This wine begs for grilled sausages or slow braised beef ribs with root vegetables.

Albeit remote, there exists a possibility your man may not drink wine. If this is the case, and you are unable to upgrade to a better model, I will concede and provide you with a different plan. If you have been to the spirits side of the alcohol store, you may be familiar with the alternative named Bourbon.

Bourbon

The number of best Bourbons is directly proportional to the number of people having the discussion. In my opinion, I like a spirit that has some rye for spice, malted barley for that cooked cereal note and aged enough in oak to extract some of those sweet toasted barrel notes.

My selection of Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey ($65) checks those boxes and then some. This version of Wild Turkey first saw store shelves back in 1991 and became an instant favorite. The complexity includes caramel, orange peel, sandalwood, pepper spice, leather, tobacco and a hint of toasted coconut. One can see why the popularity has not faded over the decades.

I truly hope that my list of liquid romance helps make your sweetheart happy, a bit tipsy and certainly more malleable. Perhaps if you ask nicely, he may even share a sip or three with you. Appropriately so, as you are probably one of the reasons that drives each other to drink.