Time to look and leap

It takes a lot to encourage a chap to abandon his have-it-all lifestyle, so there has to be an incentive where he can clearly see the positives of settling down. Converting your man-about-town to man with mortgage, steady job and an ability to fix leaking taps will take time and persistence but ladies, we all know where to start – his stomach.

This is the year when you don’t bother dropping big hints about chocolates, bunches of roses and romantic weekends away for you. This year the focus is on him, so take the time to give him a snapshot of what life really could be like if he just takes a deep breath and commits.

First of all, you need to set the scene, so clean the flat/house/bedsit, but do it when he isn’t there, a bit at a time, so he just thinks that sharing a house forever could be quite a good idea. Then take a keen interest in whatever sport he enjoys. You may end up having to wear a silly hat and scarf and get cold watching a football match, but this is a long-term investment plan and some sacrifice along the way will be required.

Next, take a mild interest in baking, but never try to make the favourite cake his mother makes. By definition, yours will never be as good, even if her version would sink a flotilla of ducks.

Now it is time to turn your attention to his favourite food, and of course the drink to go with it. Again, avoid the dish his mother makes when she hasn’t seen him for ages. Once you have landed your man you will need to “ask her for the recipe” which will get her onside and make everyone happy.

The key this weekend and for the next few days is to provide a range of food which fill him up and keep him keen. It is the same with the drink. Don’t blow the whole month’s budget on top-notch wines, this will ring danger bells in his bank balance. Instead seek out good quality and value while keeping his interest in what’s in the glass.

So here’s the plan.

Get in some of his favourite beer, or better still buy some local brew such as Timothy Taylors or Yorkshire Post Taste Award winner Wold Top Gold. They are widely available in local supermarkets and it will show that he can drink good quality beer without having a night out with his mates.

Next plan the food and don’t try to be too ambitious. This weekend is all about showing what is possible for the future, so casseroles, a good chicken dish and maybe a curry should be on the menu so he knows he will eat well.

As for the wines, head to Majestic where they have just launched their new set of offers for the next couple of months.

Stock up with good aperitif wine such as The Ned Waihopai River Sauvignon Blanc 2011 which is down from £9.99 to a bargain £6.99. This made by Brent Marris who was the winemaking skill behind successful brand Wither Hills but when the family sold it to big business they took away a lot of money and have spent it on the most fabulous winery I have seen in a long time. The Ned reflects the clean, pristine nature of the winery, where the fruit is looked after with care and precision to become a bright, vivacious wine with herby notes amongst pineapple and citrus fruit. Drink this on its own or team it with salmon and salads.

Next you will need some wines to go with the various main courses you have planned.

Casseroles need warm robust flavours such as the terrific spice-edged black fruit flavours of Porcupine Ridge Syrah Viognier 2010 from South Africa which is down to a bargain £6.99. Don’t be confused by the Viognier component. It is a white grape but is added in tiny amounts just to lift the aroma. For an impressive wine to go with a steak supper, Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet 2009 (down to £9.99 on multibuy) from the beautiful Aconcagua Valley in Chile will fit the bill, while a curry could be partnered by the juicy fruit and light tannins of Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2011 from Mount Difficulty in central Otago, New Zealand (down to £16.99 on multibuy).

You will need to practice a few desserts that involve slightly more effort than some fresh fruit and a pot of yoghurt, but once again, steer clear of his mother’s speciality. Chocolate in any form always goes down well so look for a bottle of port such as Taylor’s 10 year old Tawny which will also go with the cheese you have planned.

Champagne will be required at some point in the weekend and Majestic has dropped the price of Taittinger to a bargain £25, so you might as well buy a couple of bottles to keep the celebration going.

While you are out buying the wine, make sure you have a good set of glasses, nicely polished, and an ice pack to wrap around the champagne.

Don’t forget, ladies that if you do seize the Leap Year moment and pop the question then that story will be wheeled out at every dinner party for the next umpteen years, so just manoeuvre the conversation in the right direction, hold your breath and remember to look surprised when he comes up with the idea of making 2012 the Valentine’s Day to remember.