17 Romantic Food & Wine Pairings

From oysters and steak to chocolate fondue and fudge, we've paired some of our best recipes with a range of affordable and splurge-worthy wines.

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Steak au Poivre

Chocolate Fondue

Chicken with Creamy Mushrooms

Roasted Oysters

Country French Beef Stew

Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna

Almond Biscotti

Chicken Curry

Tuna Steaks with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Easy Crab Bisque

Tuscan Lamb Chop Skillet

Simple Fudge

Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Seeded Pork Roast

Scallops with Dill Sauce

Coq au Vin

Crab Cakes

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Steak au Poivre

Brandy cream sauce adds a special-occasion twist to classic pan-fried steak.

Pair it with: A rich, full-bodied red; try Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet 2006 ($27.00, www.beringer.com) or Glen Carlou Syrah 2006 ($21.99, www.glencarlou.co.za).

See Steak au Poivre recipe

Chocolate Fondue

Chopped peanuts and a swirl of marshmallow creme dress up this retro dessert. Serve it with strawberries, orange slices, and angel food cake.

Pair it with: A rich Shiraz; try Angove's Shiraz McLaren Vale Vineyard Select 2005 ($19.49, www.angoves.com.au) or Pepper Tree Sparkling Shiraz NV ($29.50, www.peppertreewines.com.au).

See Chocolate Fondue recipe

Chicken with Creamy Mushrooms

Though it looks fancy, this Italian-marinated chicken smothered in creamy mushroom sauce is ready and on the table in just 30 minutes.

Pair it with: A crisp, fruity white or rose; try Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio 2007 ($8.99, www.eccodomani.com) or Domaine Carneros Brut Rose Sparkling Wine ($36, www.domainecarneros.com).

See Chicken with Creamy Mushrooms recipe

Roasted Oysters

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a natural aphrodisiac -- oysters -- paired with a simple mixed-green salad or shrimp cocktail.

Pair it with: Bubbly; try the fruity, slightly sweet Domaine Ste. Michelle Frizzante ($12, www.domaine-ste-michelle.com) or the elegant Bouvet Signature Brut ($12, www.kobrand.com).

See Roasted Oysters recipe

Country French Beef Stew

Make this pot roast stew ahead and reheat it before dinner -- it tastes even richer after it sits overnight.

Pair it with: A spicy red; try Osborne Solaz Tempranillo-Cabernet 2005 ($9, www.osbornesolaz.com).

See Country French Beef Stew recipe

Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna

Layers of tangy peppers and creamy goat and ricotta cheeses put a festive spin on classic lasagna.

Pair it with: A classic Chianti; we love the bright cherry notes in both Ruffino Aziano 2006 ($13.59, www.ruffino.com) and the more elegant Ruffino Santedame 2006 ($19.33, www.ruffino.com).

See Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna recipe

Almond Biscotti

Homemade almond biscotti are even more delicious when dunked in a glass of Port.

Pair it with: De Krans Tawny Port Western Cape NV ($14, www.dekrans.co.za) or Delaforce Ruby Port Fine NV ($8, www.delaforce.com).

See Almond Biscotti recipe

Chicken Curry

The sweetness in raisins and peanuts balances spicy curry in this mouthwatering dish.

Pair it with: A sweet, medium-bodied wine to temper the spice of the dish; try Willm Gewurztraminer 2007, ($14.99, www.alsace-willm.com).

See Chicken Curry recipe

Tuna Steaks with Fresh Tomato Sauce

For a delicious dish ready in just 18 minutes, top grilled tuna steaks with our zesty homemade salsa.

Pair it with: A California Pinot Noir; we love the cherry and peppery notes in Meridian California Pinot Noir Santa Barbara 2006 ($11, www.meridianvineyards.com).

See Tuna Steaks with Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe

Easy Crab Bisque

Serving rich and creamy bisque is a delightful way to indulge your sweetie -- and this recipe is easy and elegant.

Pair it with: A rich and buttery California Chardonnay; try Ventana Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay ($18, www.ventanawines.com).

See Easy Crab Bisque recipe

Tuscan Lamb Chop Skillet

This quick and easy lamb dish looks impressive, tastes delicious, and is ready and on the table in just 20 minutes.

Pair it with: A dry red; we love the full-bodied Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese Toscana Castiglioni 2006 (www.frescobaldi.it, $23.99).

See Tuscan Lamb Chop Skillet recipe

Simple Fudge

This decadent seven-ingredient fudge is so easy you can even make it in the microwave.

Pair it with: A rich Shiraz; try Angove's Shiraz McLaren Vale Vineyard Select 2005 ($17, www.angoves.com.au) or Pepper Tree Sparkling Shiraz NV ($29.50, www.peppertreewines.com.au).

See Simple Fudge recipe

Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin

A horseradish cream sauce flavors tender roast beef; serve it with our simple mushroom tumble.

Pair it with: A spicy Syrah, such as PlumpJack 2007 Syrah Napa Valley ($42, www.plumpjack.com), or a fruit-forward Zinfandel, such as Ravenswood Zinfandel 2007 ($15, www.ravenswood-wine.com).

See Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin recipe

Seeded Pork Roast

A savory blend of aniseed, fennel, caraway, dillseed, and celery seed creates a crustlike coating for pork roast; apple juice adds a touch of sweetness as the meat simmers in your slow cooker.

Pair it with: A simple Shiraz with mixed berry flavors; try Santa Rita Reserva Shiraz 2007 ($10.99, www.santarita.com).

See Seeded Pork Roast recipe

Scallops with Dill Sauce

These broiled scallops are served with an easy-to-make tartar sauce -- all ready and on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Pair it with: An ultra-crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; try Babich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2008 ($14, www.babichwines.co.nz).

See Scallops with Dill Sauce recipe

Coq au Vin

Nothing says celebration like this French classic; serve it with a simple mixed green salad.

Pair it with: A medium-bodied red; we love the round Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir 2008 ($9.69, www.donsebastianiandsons.com).

See Coq au Vin recipe

Crab Cakes

Roasted red pepper relish adds a special twist to classic crab cakes; complete the meal with our Sharp and Sweet Green Salad.

Pair it with: An oft-dry Riesling; we love the mineral, pineapple, and tangerine flavors in Wolf Blass Riesling Adelaide Gold Label 2008, ($14, www.wolfblass.com.au).

17 Romantic Food & Wine Pairings

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