How Men and Women View Valentines Day- Tips to Make It Memorable By Darryl Beeson   Korbel, one of California's most consistent producers of fine sparkling wine, surveyed Americans for their thoughts on Valentines Day and found some surprising results about how men and women differ in expectations for this annual event. Sparkling wine is the more politically correct way to refer to "bubbly" not from the Champagne region of France, though people often interchange the names out of habit. The old adage, the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, rings true in the Korbel Valentines Day survey results, which show that men are significantly more likely than women (55 percent vs. 43 percent) to want to celebrate Valentines Day by going out to dinner. Men are also more likely (33 percent vs. 27 percent) to want chocolate as a Valentines Day gift, while women prefer perfume or cologne (53 percent vs. 36 percent). According to 16 percent of Americans, champagne/sparkling wines are the perfect gift, so pick up a bottle to make any special someone bubble over with excitement. Concerned about how much to spend on your sweetie? In spite of recent economic times, many Americans (67 percent) plan on spending just as much money on their significant other this Valentines Day as they did last year. When it comes to those spending more, however, more men than women (18 percent vs. 9 percent) will be opening their wallets a bit wider. Survey results indicate that one in three Americans (31 percent) would like to spend Valentines Day with Julia Roberts, making Americas sweetheart the preferred Valentines Day guest. One in five (21 percent) want to spend Cupids holiday with President George W. Bush, deeming him a more desirable date than the Sexiest Man Alive, Pierce Brosnan (18 percent). Nine percent of Americans would say Thats Amore to spending the holiday with anchorwoman Katie Couric. Will couples be painting the town red during this day of hearts? Statistics show that nearly half of Americans (49 percent) prefer to go out with their spouses or significant other to celebrate Valentines Day. Three in ten Americans (29 percent) still agree that home is where the heart is and prefer to stay in with their spouse or significant other. "No Valentines Day celebration is complete without champagne", said Gary Heck, President and Chairman, Korbel Champagne Cellars, "For 120 years Korbel has helped Americans enjoy this romantic day, and we encourage everyone to toast the holiday with one of our hand-crafted champagnes." Survey results report that romance and champagne do go hand-in-hand, as 51 percent of Americans think of romance when they think of champagne/sparkling wine on Valentines Day. One in three (32 percent) of Americans think champagne is fun on Valentines Day, and 21 percent of Americans report that celebrating Valentines Day with champagne makes them feel sexy. For more information on celebrating with champagne, visit www.korbel.com. Regardless of whether you secured that dream date, or whether you are spending a quiet evening at home, here are some special tips on making the holiday romantic. When your Valentines Day date arrives at the door, greet him or her with a special champagne cocktail and a kiss! You'll set the stage for a fun evening together. For a memorable evening, find a romantic spot for a champagne toast and celebrate at the beach or overlooking your city at sunset. Start a Valentines Day tradition of sharing favorite memories with your special someone or exchange love letters to keep thoughts of each other close to the heart. "Nervous about that cork?" asks Heck, "There are the basics to make you an educated and dashing date. Never shake a champagne bottle and always point the cork away from people when opening. Start by removing the foil and wire hood, then grasp the cork with one hand and hold the bottom of the bottle in the other hand. Hold the cork firmly at a 45-degree angle and turn the bottle, not the cork. Cover the cork with a towel to prevent any spilling. Chill champagne in the refrigerator for two to four hours prior to serving, or chill for thirty minutes in a bucket half-filled with ice. Do not chill champagne in the freezer." Serve champagne/sparkling wine with strawberries, chocolate or with another sweet treat on Valentines Day. Prior to serving champagne, decorate stemware by rubbing the outside of the flutes with lemon, then pressing your glasses onto a plate of superfine sugar. Turn gently and lift for a perfectly delicious and elegant sugarcoated rim. Champagne cocktails are easy to prepare - whether shaken or stirred - and are todays hottest trend. Classic varieties, such as the French 75 or Kir Royale, are sure to set a romantic mood. For more great wine suggestions, click here Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com Copyright © 1998 Inter Active Media Solutions. All Rights Reserved. The interactive components of this site require that you use a current browser version of Explorer; be sure to maximize your window out so you can see the entire page. This page was created by Inter Active Media Solutions.