I’ve been holding onto a little 2007 350 ml since February 2009, never quite sure of when to pop it. In fact, I’d held onto it for so long that I’d begun to wonder if it would be any good.

Produced in the town of Acqui in the Piedmont region of Italy (DOCG), Brachetto d’Acqui is a slightly sweet sparkling red made from the Brachetto grape. It has a soft effervescence, produced by the Charmat method, where the secondary fermentation occurs in tanks just before bottling. Typically, this method is used for wines that are meant to be consumed young, hence my nervousness about having held onto it.

I should not have feared. The deep, rich nose contained complex hints of bourbon, brandied and cooked fruits, but also a lighter nod toward its youthful past with notes of sweet red raspberry. It tasted rich and deliciously syrupy on the palate, with a lovely floral bouquet of lilies and roses.

I had the good fortune to taste this side-by-side with a more recent 2010 vintage. Light violet in color, the red fruits and roses on the nose were much more apparent. It was thick with ripe red fruits, but the acidity of youth managed to cut through and provide a layer of brightness. On the finish, I tasted hints of strawberries and cream.

Indeed, as a perfect pairing for chocolate, you could argue that the Rosa Regale is the perfect wine for your Valentine.