The best thing to do is to ask her and ask what she likes for wine. The worst thing is to buy a nice bottle and end up having both of you guys hating it.

The most romantic wine is Champagne. It is a great wine for celebration, fun to drink and goes well with food as well as well with hot tub/fire place and all those activities. Honestly, if you want to try Champagne, I would spend the money to get something nicer – at least something in $40-50′s range (include Taittinger or Krug) but may be something better (Dom Perignon $140, La grande Dame $150). You can get them at better price at Sam’s or Costco’s, but you should consider spending money at least for one time.

As for Zinfandel, here’s the scoop. Zinfandel is a type of grape grown primarily in California. Two types of wines are made from Zinfandel – White Zinfandel and Red Zinfandel (typically known only as Zinfandel) You need to know which type of Zinfandel she likes.

White Zinfandel is a rose wine or pink wine, started at Sutter Home in 70′s. It is a sweet simple fruity wine that is not very overpowering. It is relatively cheap and available from various wineries such as Kendall Jackson, Sutter Home, etc. for $10-15.

Red Zinfandel is a dark red wine, medium in body, and fill with fruit flavor – lots of berry and plum, with a touch of spiciness. Over past few years, California tend to make Zinfandel with ihgher alcohol content, up to 14-15% now (normally for wine 12.5-13.8%). My favorite brands of Zinfandel include Rosenfel (various types, including cheap Cuvee $12, other single vineyard Zinfandel costing $20-30, very highly rated and wonderful to drink) and Ridge (various vineyard also, personal favorite is Lytton Spring $30).

Good luck. Thanks for the good work at Iraq.

Pick up a few bottles of Italian prosecco…. chill well, serve in flutes and, my GI friend, Bacco will tell you (both) what to do after a few glasses. The rest of the bottles of prosecco will help keep your throats from drying out throughout the evening.

Night Train! lol no on a serious note Kendal Jackson Cabernet is wonderful.

white

A nice wine would be and want to be different is the La BETE winery out of McMinville, OR Aligote wine. You can ordery from him and have it sent. It is reasonable and it is nice. He has the 2005 vintage availble. I had the pleasure of seeing in progress in 2005, and tasting it in 2008.

what ever you and your date enjoy.
It’s all about the both of you, not the wine.

White Zinfandel is garbage but Red Zin is quite wonderful

Champagne – if you’re back from Iraq you’re full of money – don’t be greedy – Zinfandel is the kind of horror to make you dead drunk and sick -

Champagne – Pommery – Mumm – Veuve Clicqot – Hennessy – Taittinger – nothing’s too expensive

Inglenook White Zin is yummy. A nice Pinot Noir is too.

I’d go for an Argentinean wine. They are the best together with the Chilean. Try either a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec.
Salud!

We like a nice chilled gallon of “Golden Glow” apple cider, in the evening. Very affordable. Just look out for the next morning.