Diplomatic relations

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and your nearest and dearest would probably like you to acknowledge this. I am addressing my comments to the male of the species, since in my experience it is they who generally need a nudge to acknowledge this annual celebration of affection.

All over the region I can hear men, perhaps a little beyond the first flush of young love, squirming over their breakfast thinking "I don't need to bother with that any more". But why not? Just lift your eyes from this column, briefly, and take a look at the lady who has ironed your shirts for the last 25 years. Even the most parsimonious of Yorkshiremen can work out that a year's worth of ironing weighs heavier on the balance sheet than a bunch of roses. And investment this evening could ensure that your space is reserved on the sofa tomorrow, no doubt with peace, quiet and the occasional glass of beer.

So just how much effort is required? Depending on how long you have been together, probably not a lot. Most women are prepared to be impressed by the slightest change in behaviour pattern.

So if your standard way of acknowledging birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions is by recycling last year's card, with a smile (believe me, I know people who do this), then you have set the bar so low you can get away with a bunch of garage-shop flowers. But I suggest you raise your game and really make an impression that will score enough points to last you through to the World Cup.

Why not organise dinner tonight? You have left it far too late to book a restaurant, so cooking at home is probably your only option, and it does provide the perfect opportunity to combine a little food and wine without the bother of the drive home. And since tomorrow also marks the start of the Chinese New Year, you can phone for a takeaway, raid the prepared food counter of your local supermarket or even rustle up a stir-fry yourself and score extra points for recognising two events with the one meal.

So here's the plan.

To start with you will need a bottle of fizz, preferably Champagne, and preferably ros. There is something special about ros champagne that automatically makes a girl smile, whatever her age. Made with just a splash of Pinot Noir grapes added to the blend, it should taste of wild strawberries and have a little more weight on the palate than your usual champagne. This is a wine you can sip on its own or sup with a meal. There are some good deals and great styles on the shelves right now. The best deal has to be Lanson Ros which is on a two-day only special offer at Morrisons. It went down from 32.99 to 16.49 yesterday and will be back up at its original price on Monday, so you need to get there quickly. However, the last batch of Morrisons champagne deals ran out after just a few hours, and while they have assured me that they have plenty of stock this time, you may find the shelves cleared. In style terms I actually prefer the taste of Marks and Spencer's Oudinot Ros champagne. This is made by Laurent Perrier, although it doesn't shout the fact on the label, but it clearly has plenty of class in its soft, strawberry-edged fruit and delicate, elegant balance. Now down from 22.99 to just 17.99, until the end of this month, so there should still be stock on the shelves. Waitrose has the delicious, fuller-flavoured Mot and Chandon Ros down from 37.99 to 29.99 until February 16, while the gentle, ros-petal-scented Veuve Clicquot Ros is at Majestic, down from 60 to 35.

You could cobble together a few simple nibbles to go with your champagne, such as a few slivers of smoked salmon, or even bowls of olives and nuts (pistachios go well with champagne). None of these requires a great deal of effort but they show extra attention to detail and they might score a few more points.

Chinese food is delicious, but home-preparation usually involves endless chopping of vegetables and the use of several sauces, so a phone call to the local take-away could save time and effort, leaving you to organise some wine. Carry through the champagne if you must, but I favour buying a champagne stopper and keeping the remainder for tomorrow morning, with breakfast.

The light touch of spice in many Chinese dishes should be balanced by a touch of spice in the wine. For fish, prawn and chicken dishes try Cono Sur's Gewrztraminer 2008 from Chile (Majestic and Waitrose 6.99) or Villa Maria's Gewurztraminer 2008 from New Zealand (Waitrose 8.49).

Both of these wines are quite dry but they have a layer of aromatic spice which complements most kinds of Chinese food. Argentinian Torronts, such as Urban 2009 from O. Fournier (6.99 www.halifaxwine company.com) also has the right aromatic, nutmeg-spiced peach notes with a clear twist of acidity which leaves the palate clean and fresh.

Heavier meaty dishes such as spare ribs, or Szechuan-spiced beef need a bigger wine. Try the delicious pepper-dusted plummy flavours of Domaine la Garrigue, Vacqueyras 2007 from Majestic (10.99 on multibuy) or Marks and Spencer's sweet-and-spicy food-friendly Paradiso Carmenre (on offer at 4.99).

Chocolate is a great way to round off a romantic evening and of course you'll be picking up a good box of chocolates along with the fizz and

food. I like the combination of chocolate and chilli which you can get in small blocks from Hotel Chocolat and this goes surprisingly well with a glass of port.

Harrogate Fine Wine has half bottles of Niepoort's LBV at 8.99 (01423 522270) which is the perfect size for after-dinner slurping with a little left over to sip while you are relaxing on the sofa.

By the way, while you are out shopping today, don't forget to buy a new card for your loved one. Last year's version simply won't do.