It’s possible to love February.

Often a cold month here in Canada, February can seem endless and uneventful. Valentine’s Day, however, pops up in the middle, and we Canadians seem to use it mercilessly to bring some excitement to the month. The question is: what’s the best way to generate some excitement?

To me, nothing says “Valentine” like “Dessert Wine.”  They rhyme for a reason: they’re the perfect pairing.  Whether you plan on indulging with some chocolate, or whipping up a creamy cheesecake for the occasion, Dessert Wines and Valentines’ treats can be a marriage made in heaven.

What can be better than opening that nicely sweet taste of summer berries in February? Their luscious, concentrated flavours can be sipped on their own, shaken up in a cocktail or martini, enjoyed with some ice cream, used in a dessert treat, or mixed into prosecco or champagne… there’s endless possibilities!

And in celebration of “Dessert Wine Day” Field Stone is offering 15% off ALL dessert wines for a limited time at Calgary Farmers Market West and at Crossroads Market Calgary. Packaged and pretty, all you have to do is pick your favourite flavour:  Strawberry, Raspberry, Wild Black Cherry, Saskatoon Berry or Black Currant. Priced under $25, we offer three fruity liqueur-like varieties, and two port styles.  There is something for all gents’ and ladies’ tastes.

Don’t let your valentine go without wine…

Perhaps you are not in the market for a Valentine gift, but need birthday gifts this month. What could be better than a lovely packaged dessert wine, produced from 100% Alberta-grown fruit? Join the thousands who are committed to supporting local and giving local this year.

At any rate, in celebration of “Dessert Wine Day,”  I am offering a few Dessert-Wine-Recipe ideas for a special occasion. With fresh strawberries and raspberries available year-round, you can easily try them all!

First, for the Raspberry lovers:

Raspberry Chocolate Mousse

3 cups (750 ml) fresh or frozen raspberries
½ cup (125 ml) Raspberry Dessert Wine
2 cups (500 ml) chocolate chips, melted and cooled
16 oz (500 g) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup (50 ml) honey
3 Tbsp. (40 ml) Raspberry Dessert Wine
3 Tbsp. (40 ml) white crème de cacao
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
Combine raspberries with 125 ml. wine and set aside. Beat together on medium speed the chocolate, cheese and honey. Beat in the 40 ml wine, crème de cacao and vanilla until blended. Spoon the raspberry mixture evenly into 10 small serving dishes and top with the mousse mixture. Garnish with chocolate curls and refrigerate for up to one day. Yum!

And here’s a festive twist on the popular summer patio drink:

Raspberry-Champagne Mojito Cocktail

1/2 large lemon – cut in 1/4″ pieces
6 large mint leaves
3 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
3 oz (90 ml) white rum
1 oz (30 ml) Raspberry Dessert Wine
Champagne
Place the lemon, mint leaves and sugar in a mixing glass. Using a wooden spoon, crush the ingredients until the sugar has dissolved and the lemon has released its juice. Add the raspberries and continue to muddle until the raspberries are well mashed and have released their juices. Top with ice cubes, rum and dessert wine. Shake vigorously until very cold.  Strain the mixture into two Champagne glasses. Top with a little Champagne. Garnish with a mint leaf and a fresh raspberry threaded through a cocktail pick. Serve immediately.

Now, for all strawberry lovers, a more “healthy” version of dessert:

Strawberry & Chocolate Buttercream Mousse

1 c. dates
3/4 c. water
1/4 c. cacao powder
2 tbsp. cashew butter
2 tbsp. coconut oil
2-3 tbsp. Strawberry Dessert Wine
2 c. strawberries, washed & sliced
In a blender or food processor, blend all ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate overnight to develop flavours and mousse-like consistency. When ready to serve, top with fresh strawberries. No guilt!

And for those who like it all to be really, really easy:

Super Simple Strawberry Valentine Martini

4 strawberries
1 part vodka
3 parts Strawberry Dessert Wine
Chill martini glasses, and rim with sugar (run a cut strawberry around the rim, then dip in shallow dish of sugar). In a shaker put clean, hulled strawberries in bottom and mash with a wooden spoon until they are very well smashed. Add ice to fill the shaker and add the vodka and dessert wine. Shake for about 20 seconds until well mixed. Pour into the prepped glasses, garnish with a strawberry and serve.

Tip: Serve with your favourite milk chocolate treat on the side, and your sweetie will love you forever.

Of course the winter months can be long and chilly.  Perhaps you are spending more time at home this month, and maybe more time in your kitchen.  If you are in need of some comfort food this month, please see last month’s newsletter, where I paired five fruit wines with some popular comfort foods.

Don’t be afraid to pair a bright and fresh fruit wine with a comfort food recipe.  Here’s one more!  This lovely combo has become a cold night favourite at our house, paired with our full-bodied Blueberry Fruit Wine.  We hope it’s a winter match you’ll much enjoy!

Blueberry-Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

1 1/2pounds pork tenderloin

1teaspoon black pepper

1teaspoon salt

2teaspoons garlic powder

1/2cup frozen or fresh blueberries

2teaspoons minced garlic

1tablespoon honey

1/2cup balsamic vinegar

Pre-heat oven to 375° F.  Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Mix together pepper, salt and garlic powder in a small bowl and rub mixture all over the pork tenderloin.  Place tenderloin on baking sheet and place on centre rack of the oven.  Allow to bake for 20-30 minutes or to 140 degrees.   Place blueberries in a medium saucepan on medium high heat. Using a wooden spoon, break up the blueberries while cooking. Add garlic and honey.  Stir in balsamic vinegar. Bring sauce to a boil and allow to reduce for 12-14 minutes.  Once tenderloin is done baking, remove from oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Remove sauce from stove heat once it has reduced and become slightly thick.  Slice tenderloin into medallions, about 3/4 to 1 inch thick and serve with the sauce and a glass of chilled Blueberry Fruit Wine.  Yum!

Whatever you get up to this month, remember that the summer tastes of fruit wines are a perfect match for winter…

And that’s all for February.

Happy February, everyone, and Happy Valentine’s!