With Valentine's Day falling on a Saturday and the hottest film of the year - Fifty Shades Of Grey - coming to the big screen on February 13, there couldn't be a better time for a sparkling rose, Provencal pink or sophisticated red to spark romance - and passion. Here's my pick of the bunch - with a couple of cocktails to set the tone first...

:: LANIQUETINI

If you desire an exotic cocktail to set the mood, a twist on the classic martini promises the perfect start to Valentine's evening. Instead of vermouth, pour in a measure of Lanique (£24.95, 70cl, www.31dover.com) to unearth the scent of rose oil from this unique Prussian liqueur. An exquisite lipstick pink, it's slightly sweet and can also be added to white wine.

:: 25ml Lanique, 15ml gin, lime twist

Half-fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the Lanique and gin, stir well, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist.

:: RED BERRY CLUB

A flavoured grape vodka you may not have tried before, Ciroc Red Berry (£37.50, 70cl, www.alexanderandjames.com) is infused with fresh raspberries and strawberries and if you fancy flirting with a sweet aperitif that's remarkably similar to a Clover Club (a favourite in New York bars that's made with gin), then it's time to try its cheeky French cousin.

:: 50ml Ciroc Red Berry, 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice, 15ml raspberry syrup, 1 egg white

Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Ciroc Red Berry, lemon juice, raspberry syrup and egg white. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupe. Zest lemon over the top and garnish with a raspberry.

:: COMING UP ROSES

The picturesque Loire Valley produces some lovely bubbly and fresh styles from Saumur such as Abesse Cremant De Loire Rose 2012, France (£12.99, www.laithwaites.co.uk) - made in the traditional method, it can be beautifully expressive and offer excellent value. Made from cabernet franc grapes, it has a floral, fresh berry nose with a creamy palate and a fruit-filled freshness on the finish.

:: FIT FOR A QUEEN

A classy choice for the lady of the house, Royal Warrant holders GH Mumm are the official suppliers to Her Majesty the Queen and for an easy drinking rose, you can't go wrong with a bottle of G H Mumm Cordon Rouge Rose, France (£33.59 from £41.99, now until March 17, Waitrose). A deep peachy pink with raspberry aromas, vibrant red fruits and a slight tartness on the flourish of a finish.

:: UNDER LOCK AND KEY

A sexy creation from Moet & Chandon, their limited edition 'Unfurl The Tie' Rose Imperial Champagne, France (£110, www.selfridges.com, available end of January) comes in a stylish rounded case which pirouettes open to reveal a bottle of their rose, with a 'Toasting Tie' stand that holds two delicately stemmed, footless champagne flutes.

:: PINK PERSUASION

Cited by Decanter magazine as 'the perfect Provence Rose', once you've poured a glass of Chateau Coussin Rose 2013, Cotes de Provence, France (£13, Oddbins) it won't take much convincing that this wine is going to be utterly delicious. The colour is a pale, baby pink, the bouquet is rose and strawberry scented which leads to passion fruit and pink grapefruit flavours with an underlying minerality that adds freshness and elegance.

:: ROSE ON DEMAND

This salmon pink rose from Chateau d'Esclans enjoys a cult following and to tap into a Riviera lifestyle, Whispering Angel 2013, Cotes de Provence Rose, France (£15.99, gift box £4.95, www.31dover.com) is heaven scent. The same Chateau produces Garrus - the world's most expensive still rose - but with cupids on the label to channel your love and attraction, this seductive wine speaks the language of love. With delicate red fruits and nuances of strawberry and peach on the graceful finish, there's enough interest to keep you coming back for more.

:: SPARE THOSE BLUSHES

If you've been cracking the whip lately, this tongue-in-cheek label from one of Australia's top winemakers should appease your loved one. A plush pinot that's as smooth as a silk stocking, Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir 2013, Western Australia (£15.49, www.strictlywine.co.uk) describe their wine as having "hints of lipstick and leather", and it opens up with black cherries on the nose and is laced with sweet and sour cherry notes with an underlying savoury character, hint of oak, mild tannins and raspberry fruit echoing on the finish.

:: A FINE ROMANCE

A Left Bank Bordeaux that wears its heart on its sleeve, Chateau Calon Segur wines have a heart on the label - a lasting legacy from the Marquis de Segur who once owned the famous First Growth estates Chateau Lafite and Chateau Latour, but declared his heart belonged to Calon Segur. Concentrated, cabernet sauvignon dominant and a grand crus classe, IG Wines cite the beautiful Calon Segur 2003 Gift Box, Saint Estephe, Bordeaux, France (£67.95, www.igwines.com, order by February 10) as being vigorous and youthful with plenty of mulberry, blackcurrant and cherry fruit intermixed with cedarwood, baking spices and roasted herbs.

:: BEST BUY

Not kidding... If you're looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year (February 19) and the Year of the Goat with a taste of Chinatown, Tsingtao (pronounced Ching Dow) beer, brewed, bottled and imported from Quingdao, China have released a celebratory limited edition Year of the Goat four-pack. Tsingtao, £8 for two (England and Wales) £4 each (Scotland), 4.7%abv, 4 x 33cl bottles, Tesco.

:: LIQUID NEWS

Master of the glen... The latest release in the award-winning Private Edition collection, Glenmorangie Tusail Private Edition (£78, 70cl, www.whiskyshop.com) invites whisky noses to savour the unique taste of a whisky made from Maris Otter winter barley, a grain usually associated with craft brewers.

"I knew its deep flavour profile would provide an intriguing contrast to Glenmorangie's more delicate house style, creating a whisky to enchant connoisseurs," says Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie's director of distilling and whisky creation.

"The result pays homage to the Maris Otter variety, with rich, rustic flavours of nut toffee, sweet barley malt, ginger, cinnamon, molasses, and dates, complementing the more familiar Glenmorangie notes of peaches, oranges and smoked pears."

Glenmorangie Tusail is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% abv and marks the sixth annual release in the range.