SOMETHING red, something spicy, something nice… it’s Valentine’s Day and for the wine and chocolate industries it’s their own time to celebrate as their products make their way out of the shops and restaurants into the hands and onto the tables of those celebrating the romantic festival.

For the marketing division of the wine industry, it provides a perfect opportunity to promote the red, the rosy, the pink and the “darling” bubbles for wine-drinkers, wine-lovers and all of the lovers out there. Think white, think pink or drink deep, dark purple and red.

Chocolate-makers around the world also take to this occasion to promote goods to all the loved, lovers and wannabe loved who want to share the sensual delights of the divine cocoa-bean. Chocolate after all has been scientifically shown to trigger parts of the brain that are stimulated when kissing.

Chocolate for those who are true-connoisseurs, is a passionate affair that involves a keen sense of smell, taste and appreciation, which all sounds like the building-blocks to passionate wine-tasting.

When one hears about individuals’ love for this delicious experience, why not indulge the month of February with both, in a matching wines to chocolate?

Cocoa beans, like grapes, come from all different parts of the world with different flavour profiles specific to their country of origin and just like wine, bring out the best when given the correct environment to be “tasted”.

So for this Valentine’s Day, be bold. Break out of the mould and squeeze yourself into a fruity red wine with complex spices, hints of cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla or toasted oak. Pair this wine with some carefully crafted chocolates from Chocolate on Street 240 or La Résidence on Street 214 – et voilà, you and your special guest or guests for the occasion can be whisked away by this truly delightful combination.

If you’re shopping around for a bottle, try an Argentinian Malbec, a South African Cabernet Sauvignon, or an Australian Grenache at any one of the fantastic wine shops around Phnom Penh.

Vintage Wine Cellars, for example, will be hosting a Swiss chocolatier extravaganza on February 22 with a special wine and chocolate event. Call for more information on 023 987 998.