A Toast to Your Valentine -- the Perfect Way to Say I Love You

(ARA) - A bouquet of roses on Valentine's Day has become something of a cliché. Granted, it's an easy way out, and a nice gesture, but not very creative. This year, why not choose a gift that is just as easy to buy as flowers, but much more personal?

Wine.com, a Web site devoted to fine wine and gourmet food, makes it simple to send a gift of either wine or food, or both. Just head to the "gift center" section of the easy-to-use Web site to start shopping for the perfect gift. You can browse by price or by category (wine collections, gift baskets, gourmet foods, etc.).

A good bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine is a must for Valentine's Day celebrations and toasts. Wine.com offers more than 100 varieties, ranging in price from $10 to $400. A perfect choice is the Brut Impérial Rosé from Moët & Chandon, packaged in a matching isotherm tote for that special touch. Or, pair your Champagne with a box of premium chocolate and you'll discover the meaning of "decadent." The Sparkling Romance gift shows off this timeless Valentine coupling with G.H. Mumm's NV Brut Cordon Rouge accompanied by three heart-shaped boxes of assorted Ghirardelli chocolate squares, hearts and caramel clusters.

Wine collections are some of the most popular items offered by Wine.com, and they make great gifts. These samplers consist of two to eight bottles of wine from various countries or regions, and are sure to please the wine connoisseurs in your life. Many collections also come with an extra gift -- a cookbook or corkscrew for example.

Did you honeymoon in Spain? What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day that with the Spanish Tapas Pairing with everything you need for a romantic dinner for two -- two bottles of Rioja wine and a Fino sherry, along with a tapas cookbook. Do you dream of touring California wine country together? Make plans while enjoying the Napa vs. Sonoma collection, which offers a taste of California's best. It features Chardonnay and Merlot from some of the best wineries in Napa and Sonoma, along with a beautifully illustrated book, "A Portrait of Napa and Sonoma." Both regions are famous for producing outstanding wine -- this collection lets you sample the best of both.

Another thoughtful choice is one of Wine.com's wine clubs. Each month, the lucky recipient will get two hand-selected bottles of premium wine; discounts on reorders of featured wines and other wine and accessory purchases; detailed tasting notes for each selection; a monthly newsletter with information on the featured wineries, food pairing suggestions and recipes.

And just for Valentine's Day, the cupids at Wine.com even came up with a special three-month Valentine's Day club, "Love Story", as a way to celebrate beyond just a single day in February. In February, your valentine will receive a wine gift basket with 2 wines and tasty gourmet foods. In March, they will receive two hand-picked bottles of wine. And in April, a bottle of Mumm's sparkling wine and luxurious chocolates round out the "Love Story" Wine Club.

Wine.com also offers a complete selection of gift baskets featuring a wide variety of gourmet specialties. "The Perfect Pair" features two Columbia Crest wines, a Merlot and a Chardonnay, accompanied by crackers, Gouda cheese, herb almonds and a variety of sweets. "Cupid's Spa Deligh"t is a perfect way to pamper your Valentine with Harvest Sweet strawberry truffles and Sofia Blanc de Blancs from Francis Coppola. Mint pomegranate French milled soap, bath salts, a poof body sponge and lavender vanilla body mist complete the package.

Even if you wait until the last minute, Wine.com can help. Shop from the Last Minute Gift Shop for fine wines and tasty gifts that will arrive in time for Valentine's Day.
Wine can be shipped to 26 states and food gifts can be shipped throughout the United States. To see the entire selection of more than 10,000 wines and 100 gourmet gift baskets for yourself, visit www.wine.com or call (800) 592-5870 to place an order.

Courtesy of ARA Content