Whether for Valentine’s Day or any othertime of the year, my preference generally runs toward savory over sweet(especially because savory is easier to pair with wine). I realize thatchocolate is the reigning food of choice this month, but I urge you to considercheese. At the recommendation of the cheese ladies at Molly Stone’s onCalifornia Street, I recently enjoyed a luscious St. Aubin bleu and the doublewhammy richness of a Brie-Bleu combination called Cambozola, both of whichpaired magnificently with the 2000 Château Cantemerle from the Haut-Médocregion of Bordeaux.

Andwhile you may be thinking, what is she kidding me, I can’t afford anything fromthe 2000 vintage of Bordeaux, there are, even now, bargains to be found in thatcoveted vintage. J.J. Buckley Fine Wines carries the 2000 Cantemerle for about$30/bottle so you can enjoy all that pencil lead and tobacco now now now, insteadof sitting on your hands waiting for those pricey 2005 Bordeaux futures to comein (and then another 10-20 years for them to be ready to drink).

Ofcourse chocolate has its time and place, but unless Jeff Bareilles of Manresaor Paul Einbund of Coi is around to create a wine pairing for me, I’m stickingwith cheese.

Wonderwhat the Molly Stone cheese ladies will have for me to try next month?  In the meantime, what to pair with allof the lovely
wine events during the month of February …

The Wine Club,953 Harrison St. (at 5th), 415-512-9086, www.thewineclub.com:

• Rhône wines, Saturday, Feb. 2, 1-3 p.m.

• Rosé Champagne, Saturday, Feb. 9, 1-3 p.m.

• 2004 & 2005 Bordeaux, Saturday, Feb. 16,1-3 p.m.

• Red & White Burgundy, Saturday, Feb. 23,1-3 p.m.

Vino Rosso Wine Bar,629 Cortland Ave. (at Anderson), 415-647-1268:

• Italian Wine Tasting Class, Monday, Feb. 4,6-7:30 p.m., $50/person

La Ciccia,291 30th St. (at Church), 415-383-6070, www.laciccia.com:

• AIWF Suckling Pig and Sardinian Wine Dinner,Monday, Feb. 4, 7-10 p.m., $145/person

Ottimista Enoteca-Café,1838 Union St. (at Octavia), 415-674-8400, www.ottimistasf.com:

• Ruby & Chocolate: A Port and Chocolate Pairing Experience,Tuesday, Feb. 5, 6-7:30 p.m., $25/person

Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant,Ferry Building (Embarcadero at Market), 415-288-0470, www.fpwm.com:

• Spanish Wines from Eric Solomon Selections,Wednesday, Feb. 6, 4:30-7:30 p.m.

• Viader Winery, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 4:30-7:30p.m.

Incanto, 1550 ChurchSt. (at Duncan), 415-641-4500, www.incanto.biz:

• Vietti Barolo Dinner,Thursday, Feb. 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $135/person

Palace of Fine Arts,3301 Lyon St. (at Bay), 707-620-0788, www.psiloveyou.org:

• 2nd Annual Dark & Delicious Petit Sirah Tasting,Friday, Feb. 8, 6-9 p.m., $50/person

California Modern Art Gallery,1035 Market St. (at McAllister), 925-945-8340, www.winesocials.com:

• Pre-Valentine Wine Tasting Party,
Saturday, Feb. 9, 7:30-9:30 p.m., $30/person

Villa Taverna,27 Hotaling Pl. (at Washington), 415-381-4460, www.vintnersclub.org:

• Vintners’ Club MerlotComparative Tasting between California and
Bordeaux, Monday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m., $110/person,followed by optional wine-pairing dinner at 7:45 p.m., $175/person (includestax and gratuity; discount available to attend both events)

Dry Creek Kitchen,317 Healdsburg Ave. (at Matheson), Healdsburg,

707-431-0330,www.charliepalmer.com/dry_creek/home.html:

. Valentine'sDay six-course dinner with wine pairing from executive chef
Charlie Palmer and chef de cuisine Mike Ellis, Thursday, Feb. 14,
$145/person

COPIA at Cellar 360,900 North Point St. (at Larkin), Suite F301, 415-788-5500, www.copia.org:

• Chocolate and Wine Tasting, Saturday, Feb. 16,2:30-4 p.m., $45/person

Viognier,222 East 4th Ave. (at B), San Mateo, 650-685-3727, www.viognierrestaurant.com:

• Wines of Spain six-course dinner,
Friday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m., $125/person

K&L Wine Merchant,638 4th St. (at Brannan), 415-896-1734,
www.klwines.com:

• Rhône Ranger Grand Tasting, Saturday,Feb. 23, 12-3 p.m.

Wine Scene at Campton Place,340 Stockton St. (at Post), 415-955-5574, www.tajhotels.com:

•                                    Storybook Mountain Vineyards Dinner,Thursday, Feb. 28, 7-10:30 p.m., $160/person