I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that wine, like love, means never having to say you’re sorry. That doesn’t mean, however, that too much of either can’t tickle your gag reflex.

Until recently, I felt much the same way about sweet wines as I did about that couple pawing at each other on the subway: “Gross”. But if love is unapologetic foreplay in public, then wine must surely be approaching every glass with an open mind.

Which is how I found myself nose to rim with a glass of ice wine over lunch recently. I could hardly help but to be enticed by the perfume of baked apricots, fresh almonds and marmalade that was unfurling from the preciously small desert glass. But my inner wine snob balked. “Isn’t this the stuff of sophomoric delight? Worse yet, isn’t this the nectar of naivité? A sippable incarnation of girlish silliness?”

It only took one small mouthful to quiet those snobbish reservations. On my tongue, the flavor of liquefied peach gummy candy; bright, juicy, sweet, and tangy danced a lovely little number before slinking down the back of my throat like silk.

So this was love: being so pleasantly wrong and stupidly happy. It was kind of like getting a dozen red roses on Valentine’s Day – you’d think that such a clichéd gesture would initiate ruthless eye-rolling, but the pleasure in the whole thing is disarming. There’s a reason it’s done, my friends, and so it is with sweet wines.

One of the key components in any dessert wine worth drinking is a high level of acidity. That acidity is what makes these wines delicious and prevents them from being cloying saccharine messes. Acid is to dessert wines as good sex is to any loving relationship – the key to longevity (or is that communication? Good thing I’m not a relationship blogger I guess…).

This Valentine’s Day, do yourself (and your significant other if you’re so inclined) a favor and arrange a rendezvous with a sweet wine. I’ve rounded up five sweet wines from Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes – a region that’s producing desert wines that easily hold up to the best from abroad. Much easier to get your hands on and less expensive, why not show a little love for the good ole’ USA while you’re at it? Yup. Went there.

Forget Burgundy’s Picks:

Wagner Vineyards Semi-Dry Gewürztraminer 2010 ($12.99) - Not technically a desert wine, this is a good choice for who might be hesitant to go all the way on the first date…with a sweet wine. A floral nose of roses and peonies mingles with notes of lychee and a trace of nutmeg on the finish. That rich, heady perfume carries through to the palate where the wine fills the mouth with a slightly oily texture. The weight of the sugar is gorgeously balanced by the wine’s sparkling acidity, making this an old-world style Gewürz that is an unbelievable bargain for the price.

Lakewood Vineyards 2010 Glaciovinum ($13.99) – This super affordable desert wine is made with a grape called Delaware that some claim is native to North America and others argue is the result of some sexy time between European and native varieties. Either way, Delaware yields some delicious desert wine – I likened the nose to cherry Jolly Ranchers but fancier reviewers call it “sweet tangerine.” Bright, juicy, and just bursting with sweet exotic flavor, this desert wine is quaffable delight.

Treleaven Eis Wine 2008 Late Harvest Riesling ($29.99) – Peaches, marmalade, and a streak of caramel make up the nose of this luscious iced wine. The late harvest grapes are frozen after they’ve been picked, which excludes it from being a true ice wine, but its no less delectable. Rich and juicy, this dessert wine has stunning acidity and perfect balance.

Sheldrake Point Riesling Ice Wine 2008 ($50) – The nose of baked apricots and fresh almonds brings to mind the smell of a Danish. On the palate, it’s really bright, juicy with flavors of white peaches, and even a hint of peach gummy candies. It’s sweet without being cloying at all.

Martini-Reinhardt 2008 Reiesling Trockenbaren ($100) – This wine smells like Hawaii; fragrant mango, frangipani, cocoa butter, and even a whiff of sun tan lotion. It’s bright, juicy, rich and warm – cheaper than a tropical getaway but just as indulgent.

Read more by Caroline on her blog Forget Burgundy. Image courtesy of digitalart.

Photo by Ian Andreae/Mutineer Magazine

Mutineer Magazine’s Editor in Chief was recently named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list for food and wine and was asked to put together an auction lot for Food Network’s South Beach Food & Wine Festival to benefit Florida International University. Alan, wanting to do this big as he does all things, put together an incredible auction lot.

Bidders have a once in a lifetime opportunity to win the chance for two couples to dine with Ben Flajnik, winemaker at Envolve Winery & star of ABC’s “The Bachelor”, and Alan Kropf, Editor-in-Chief of Mutineer Magazine. The lucky winners will dine at Chef Victor Scargle’s restaurant “Lucy” located within the renowned Bardessono eco-luxury hotel in Yountville, CA. After a memorable dinner paired with delicious Envolve wines, both couples will stay the night at Bardessono in the lap of luxury. Both couples will also receive 2-year subscriptions to Mutineer Magazine.

Special Instructions

• Valid from May 1, 2012 – February 1, 2013.
• Dinner to happen at a mutually agreeable date.
• Package redeemable Sunday – Thursday nights based on availability.

Click here to bid on this incredible lot. Bidding closes March 5, 2012 at 7pm EST.

Special thanks to Envolve Winery, Bardessono, Teplin+Nuss, and Charlotte Milan Communications.

NAPA, Calif. — World-famous winemaker Michel Rolland built his reputation by working wonders in the cellar. Now he’s doing miracles of a different sort by turning his South African wine into water for Ethiopians in desperate need.

A crisis of epic proportions is unfolding in Ethiopia, where every day millions struggle for their very lives due to drought and contaminated water. Recognizing this urgent need and the critical role that water plays in the production of fine wine, Michel Rolland has partnered with CNN Hero Doc Hendley, founder of Wine To Water, and Montesquieu Wines, a California winery and importer, on a special project – the Bonne Nouvelle, a wine from the land of Africa, for the people of Africa.

The 2003 Bonne Nouvelle, Michel’s signature Cabernet blend from Stellenbosch, is aptly named: it means “good news” in French. Proceeds will go directly to Wine To Water to dig deep bore wells in the Dale region of Southern Ethiopia, where 6 out of 10 people lack access to clean water, causing life-threatening diseases to run rampant. The project’s initial goal is to raise $40,000 – enough to fund four wells, providing permanent water access for over 8,000 people. The Bonne Nouvelle is available at www.winetowaterstore.com, where wine lovers can learn how they can save a life with each bottle they drink.

Montesquieu Wines’ founder Fonda Hopkins, who works separately with Michel Rolland and Doc Hendley on several other projects, brought them together to forge this partnership. “Michel and Doc come from completely different backgrounds,” observes Hopkins. “But both men are so passionate about life and committed to excellence that this project came together as a natural fit.” Montesquieu is facilitating the partnership by importing and distributing the wine at no charge.

Hendley, whose organization has provided water to approximately 100,000 people in twelve countries, says, “It’s wonderful to see some of the top players in the wine community step up to the plate to make such a difference.” In 2009, Hendley was named a CNN Top 10 Hero for his work. He is currently touring the nation discussing his new book Wine to Water: A Bartender’s Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World, published by Penguin.

For more details, please visit www.winetowater.org or www.montesquieu.com.

After a roaring 2011, Mutineer Magazine and Second Glass have partnered on their 2012 US Tour, and it should be known that I’m very excited about this. In terms of fine beverage cultural badassery, Wine Riot ranks near the top for us due to it’s inspired nature and ambitious vision. Especially in the confused culture that is wine, Second Glass is a ray of light showcasing what the millennial generation of drinkers is all about, and we sense even bigger things to come for these fine folks in 2012.

Here is the 2012 schedule, which includes an additional stop in San Francisco:

Boston: April 20-21
DC: May 4-5
Chicago: June 1-2
San Francisco: August 3-4
New York City: September 21-22
Los Angeles: November 10

If you are a enthusiastic wino in one of these cities, you should do yourself a favor and attend. If you work at at winery that is hoping to tap into the millennial wine drinking scene, do yourself an even bigger favor and pour at one this year to experience it for yourself.

What’s been going on in the wine world lately? Here’s a small collection of some articles worth checking out.

2011 grape harvest in Washington holds promise of subtle, food-friendly wines
Despite the bizarre weather, the consensus among winemakers seems to be optimistic about this strange yet potentially wonderful vintage.

N.J. bill to allow direct wine shipping would bolster wineries, expand buyer choices
If the Assembly votes to allow direct shipment of wine to New Jersey customers, two greater goods will be accomplished: The measure will help the state’s budding vineyards and it will drastically expand the choices available to wine buyers.

California’s new wine destination: Monterey
Monterey County is always a favorite tourist destination. But in addition to shopping in Carmel, world class golf, and the aquarium, the area is quickly becoming a wine destination, too.

Wineries Move Into Downtown Napa
City’s relaxed rules offer more options for winemakers and consumers

Top 10 Northwest wine stories of 2011
The industry lost some giants to death, and the heads of Washington’s and Oregon’s industries left their positions. Here are the top wine stories of 2011.

Uncorking China’s Wine Market
Although China’s bustling metropolises and staid Bordeaux may seem worlds apart, the two are becoming increasingly intertwined. Indeed, China recently overtook the traditional strongholds of Germany and the United Kingdom to become Bordeaux’s largest export destination.

Debate over wine, beer gets heated
Tahlequah City Council on Tuesday denied a secon request by Tom Barlow for a wine-tasting and beer garden next fall.

Image by © Darius Ramazani/zefa/Corbis

For those of you that have wanted to learn how to saber a bottle of bubbly, here’s your chance to learn from Small Screen Network’s Jamie Boudreau. It couldn’t be easier, but there are a few important steps you must take.

First, of course, is safety. Make sure the bottle isn’t pointed at anybody and that you don’t swing wildly with a knife and cut the person you’re supposed to be kissing at midnight.

Next, make sure the bottle is well-chilled, especially the neck. This will make the process easier and reduce the amount of spillage.

Lastly, if this is your first time, try it outside first or have some towels ready.

For weapon of choice, the back edge of a sturdy knife works well.

Jamie also recently opened a cocktail bar in Seattle called Canon and we can say without a doubt that it is most definitely Mutineer Approved.

Cheers!

Not sure what bubbly cocktails to make for New Years Eve? Try some of these:

Champagne Cocktail
From:The PDT Cocktail Book by Jim Meehan and Chris Gall.

Pour Champagne into a chilled flute. Add sugar cube. Garnish with a spiral lemon twist.

Note: Originally from the Bar-Tender’s Guide by Jerry Thomas, 1862. Per Meehan: “I recommend pouring the Champagne, then adding the bitters-soaked sugar cube so the wine doesn’t bubble over.”

The Ginger Royale

Pour a generous measure of The King’s Ginger into a flute. Add chilled Champagne to taste.

Kir Royale

Pour Champagne into a chilled flute. Add splash of Creme de Cassis, garnish with a lemon twist.

French 75

Shake with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with Champagne, add lemon twist.

Champagne Flamingo

Stir with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with Champagne, add lemon or orange twist.

What’s been going on in the wine world lately? Here’s a small collection of some articles worth checking out.

Krauthamer uses physics to shoot wine bottles
What do physics and wine bottle photography have in common? According to local entrepreneur Collin Krauthamer, everything.

Wine sales robust in 2011, may drop more in 2012
It was a good year for fine wine in 2011 with auction houses reporting solid sales but the bubble has burst in the Bordeaux market and prices are expected to fall further in 2012.

Prevention: Beer and Martinis: As Healthy as Wine?
Many studies have found an association between the moderate consumption of alcohol and increased longevity, and some have found evidence that wine has a more beneficial effect than other alcoholic drinks.

Israel grows as winemaker
For centuries Israeli wine was reserved for religious ceremony, and the less of it one had to drink, the better. But over the past decade or two, the country been producing some very good wines for consumers — wine to drink with food for earthly pleasure, not just the glory of God.

Critics hope private parliament bill will sink antiquated inter-provincial wine rules in 2012
Broadcaster Terry David Mulligan drove 10 bottles of wine across the B.C./Alberta border in a symbolic act against a law that prohibits the transportation of liquor across provincial borders for resale purposes. He wasn’t arrested. Critics of the law say it punishes small boutique winneries and they hope it will be repealed in 2012.

Wine region remains unprotected
Fresh calls for the Margaret River Region (Australia) to be protected by special legislation have been sparked by Environment Minister Bill Marmion’s Christmas present decision on the Vasse Coal Project.

Seven Winemakers to Watch in 2012
What do a war veteran, a tax consultant and a Kiwi have in common? (No this isn’t a bad joke.) They are some of the best winemakers in California right now. Some of these folks were everywhere this year. And some we hope to see a lot more of in 2012. Without further ado, seven winemakers we think are cool, interesting and really good at what they do—in no particular order.