It’s tempting to look for something a little offbeat or unusual to recommend for Valentine’s Day celebrations, but why mess with success? The non-vintage Roederer Estate Brut has long been my go-to California bubbly, so that’s what I’m suggesting for your romantic day.

   Roederer Estate, in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley, is the U.S. outpost of the famed Champagne Louis Roederer. It’s been turning out excellent sparkling wine since its founding in 1982. Over time, the lineup has expanded to include not only the brut – usually a blend of roughly 60 percent chardonnay and 40 percent pinot noir – but also a rosé and a vintage-dated luxury cuvée called L’Ermitage (both brut and rosé).

   The Roederer Estate brut is racy yet rich, with pear and citrus flavors, some toastiness and fine texture. It’s a complex wine with a lot of finesse for the price – usually around $25-$28. Plus, it’s widely available and sometimes discounted.

   For the sparkling wine geeks out there, the wine now carries a disgorgement date. The bottle I drank was disgorged in July 2024.