We've officially made it out of January!

Which means we've traded a month with virtually nothing to celebrate for one that's packed with reasons to eat and drink well. The “Big Game.” Valentine's Day. Even my birthday. 🙂 After four weeks of Dry January posts and memes about the gym, it's nice to remember that life is also meant to be enjoyed.

February might be short, but it doesn't waste time. There are dinners to plan, wines to open, and plenty of excuses to gather around a table or a television with people you like. We'll take it.

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The next week and a half is essentially owned by two very different celebrations: the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day.

Starting with this Sunday: both Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator posted their wine pairing guides for the Super Bowl this week, and we're here for it. Because yes, you can absolutely drink wine while watching the game. Riesling with nachos. Gewürztraminer with Buffalo wings. Tempranillo with ribs. Champagne with potato skins. It's not only allowed, it actually makes sense.

If you've been defaulting to beer because that's what everyone else is drinking, consider this your permission to pour something else. The food is bold, the pairings work, and frankly, wine belongs at the Big Game just as much as anywhere else.

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And then there's Valentine's Day. While restaurants are doing their usual thing with prix fixe menus and special reservations, some of the more interesting offerings are showing up in coffee shops and bakeries.

Brio Coffeeworks is running Valentine's drinks all February…think Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mocha, Sweetheart Matcha, and more. Speeder & Earl's has sweetheart specials plus a tongue-in-cheek Black Heart Latte, possibly for the less romantically inclined. And Burlington Bagel Bakery is offering Cupid's Wings — raspberry, coconut, and Red Bull (whipped cream optional) — in addition to a number of other offerings.

For something giftable, Small Oven Pastries has released a Valentine's macaron collection featuring flavors like Red Velvet, Chocolate Strawberry, Raspberry Caramel, Kir Royale, Crème Brûlée, and Dark Chocolate Dulce de Leche. Available through Valentine's Day or until they sell out…which seems likely.

There’s a lot happening around the Big Game on Sunday…anything from all-day brunch spreads to full-on buffets and watch parties. And from there, the calendar rolls right into Valentine’s weekend, with dinners, tastings, and a cluster of hands-on experiences that go well beyond standard reservations.

We’re not pretending to capture everything…just a handful of things that stood out. And if you haven’t made plans yet, we’d suggest doing so, stat.

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If your game plan for Sunday starts with eating well, May Day is hosting a “Big Game” brunch, leaning into patty melts and Bloody Marys as the backbone of the day. Straightforward, hearty, and built for settling in.

For those watching at home, Prohibition Pig is offering a Tailgate Special for pickup on February 8…a full spread of smoked brisket, chopped pork, ribs, wings, mac and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, and all the sauces and fixings for $120. It feeds four to six, comes straight from the smoker, and requires zero effort beyond popping the lid.

And down in Middlebury, The Waybury Inn is going all-in on a Super Bowl buffet built for grazing. The spread includes Fresno poppers, nachos, spinach and artichoke dip, poblano chili with beef (vegetarian available on request), smoked ribs, three kinds of wings, smoked cauliflower steak, coleslaw, cornbread, and a dessert lineup of maple cheesecake, petite crème brûlée, and rainbow cookies. Non-alcoholic bevvies are included, with $3 select draft beers available.

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One of the more interesting things about Valentine’s week this year is how many experiences lean toward learning and making rather than just dining…there are lots of workshops happening that give you something to actually do together.

That starts early on Sunday, when Fig Bar in Shelburne teams up with Blossom Vermont for a Galentine’s flower workshop centered on building Valentine’s-inspired arrangements. It will likely feel less like a class and more like a guided, creative social time.

Midweek, The 126 is hosting a Sip & Stem on Wednesday the 11th, blending bouquet-building with a signature cocktail in a social, workshop-style format. The price of $35 gets you a 10-stem bouquet and a complimentary drink.

That same night, Red Poppy Cakery in Waterbury teams up with The Mill Market for a hands-on Beef Wellington and Chocolate Pot de Crème class. They’ll walk you through the process, and you'll eat what you make at the end.

If you’d rather work with spirits than stems, Mad River Distillers is holding a “Love & Libations” cocktail class at their Burlington tasting room on Thursday, February 12. You’ll learn how to shake, stir and sip your way through a couple of cocktails while enjoying light snacks and fun. Also $35 per person.

The creative streak continues after Valentine’s itself. Specs in Winooski hosts a creative writing workshop with Jesse Taylor on Monday, February 16, built around prompts, quiet writing time, and optional sharing. And Fig Bar is back, this time with Bloom Lab, to host a Perfume Making Workshop on Wednesday, February 18, guiding participants through crafting a custom fragrance from scratch.

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Of course, there are the more traditional Valentine’s dinners and tastings…not an exhaustive list by any stretch, but just a few that stood out for being fun, food-driven, and full of personality.

On Thursday, February 12, the Colchester-Milton Rotary teams up with Snow Farm Vineyard for Wine, Chocolate & Romance, a guided pairing event built around local wine and artisan chocolate. Guests will enjoy four curated wines paired with Birnn chocolates, along with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction, all in support of Rotary’s service programs.

Barr Hill is offering a three-course prix-fixe Valentine’s tasting menu at their Montpelier tasting room on Friday and Saturday, the 13th and 14th, with optional cocktail pairings and à la carte choices. It should be a nice glimpse into the food side of a brand best known for what they pour.

Salt & Bubbles runs Valentine’s specials all Valentine’s weekend, with Italian-leaning shared plates from Chef Jordan and curated wine pairings…think meats and cheeses, seasonal dishes, and pistachio tiramisu, with reservations strongly encouraged.

Just across the way, Bramble offers a multi-course, prix fixe Valentine’s dinner menu that leans into bold, layered flavors and a mix of indulgent dishes. Expect things like beef carpaccio, seared scallops with cocoa-infused pasta, BBQ beef sirloin, and a dessert lineup anchored by chocolate and fruit options. Curated wine pairings are available as an add-on.

Lastly, Mad River Glen is hosting a Valentine’s Day mixer at the Birdcage lodge on February 14 from 3 to 5 p.m., and it's exactly what it sounds like: DJ, drinks, flirting optional. Free, 21+, and a much better option than scrolling through Netflix.

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Before we go, we need to share this video from Philo Ridge Farm of dozens of their sheep running across a snowy field. It's exactly the kind of thing you didn't know you needed to see today, but you absolutely do. Pure joy in about 15 seconds.

Go Pats. 🏈