“Romance without finance is a nuisance,” sang jazz guitarist Tiny Grimes in 1944, when gas was 21 cents a gallon and a couple of dollars could buy a hot meal or a round of cold drinks. Make that even more of a pain if you’re in the Napa Valley in 2008.

Need help choosing a sparking wine? Gregory Castells, head sommelier of the French Laundry, provided some tips for choosing and serving “the perfect bottle of bubbly” for Valentine’s Day 2008.

The Culinary Institute of America, Greystone, adapted from John Ash, ‘Earth to the Table’

Paul Franson

Pastry Chef Deanie Fox

Beer dinner in

Should Oscar get hungry in wine country, there are topnotch chefs aplenty willing to fill his plate.

Pained by the loss of a close friend — a former Napa High School classmate — Floyd McGregor knew he had to do something to help combat AIDS.

Andy Arndt, executive chef, Elaine Bell Catering

Peter Pahk, executive chef, Silverado Resort

Dominic Orsini, executive chef, BarVino