An Italian wine maker once said that white wine was like the kiss of a sister and red wine is like the kiss of a lover.

And this Valentine's Day weekend there is sure to be plenty of `kisses' being enjoyed by locals.

But how do you find the wine, or according to the Italian wine maker `the kiss', that is perfect for your romantic interlude.

Bristol Cellars' Kevin Green, who also teaches a wine appreciation course at the Bermuda College, said just as with selecting a mate for life, everyone's tastes are different and you just have find one that is right for you: "The one thing about this is that it is so subjective,'' said Mr. Green.

And when selecting a wine, he suggested consumers go with what they know.

"Stick to what you know and trust,'' he advised. "And match your food to the wine you are drinking.

"I like to decide what wine I'm going to drink and then build my menu around it.'' And Mr. Green pointed out that an old bottle of wine was not a guarantee that it will be a good bottle of wine.

"Don't buy older wines unless you taste it or are certain of what you are getting,'' he said. "Don't buy wine more than four years from its vintage date, especially white wine, unless you know what you are getting into.

"Drink what you're comfortable with, read various magazines and match your food with your wine.'' Mr. Green also said the wine industry is enjoying booming business thanks in part to recent reports that wine is in fact good for your health.

"Wine is becoming very popular,'' he said. "I think it all began with the 60 Minutes story on the "French paradox'' and how a drink red wine is good for you.'' In 1991, "60 Minutes'' aired a story that energised the wine world. The story highlighted the fact that the French -- despite eating large amounts of artery-clogging saturated fats, smoking cigarettes and exercising very little -- have one of the lowest heart attack rates around.

Experts said their moderate and daily consumption of red wine was the most likely reason for the phenomenon.

According to Into Wine magazine, within weeks of the programme red wine sales in the US shot up by 40 percent or 2.5 million bottles.

"All the recent reports about the health benefits has made a difference, wine sales are up by a huge percentage,'' Mr. Green said.

He added: "Wine also tends to generate a more responsible drinker because you consume it with food. We are seeing a trend that reflects the European lifestyle. Europeans are brought up on wine and see it as a beverage, not as alcohol. They drink it as a complement to food.'' Marc Morabito, vice president and general manager of Frith's Liquor said red wine was selling well at the Front Street store.

"This is partially because the weather is still cool and traditionally people drink red wine in the winter.'' And he echoed Mr. Green's stance that wine was definitely in vogue and following a trend away from hard liqour.

Mr. Green said he has noticed another trend in the wine industry -- consumers are starting to broaden their horizons and upgrade their tastes.

"Most people are trading up, for example, those that used to buy wine in the $5 or $6 range are now picking up bottles in the $9 or $10 range and so on,'' he said. "People are trading up, they may be drinking less but they are drinking better.'' Mr. Morabito added: "There are quality wines in each price bracket.'' And local store shelves are stocked with a vast selection of wines, in a variety of price ranges, from around the world including Italy, Chile, and Australia.

"We carry a wide selection of wines, but French and Californian wines are still the most popular,'' Mr. Morabito noted.

And Mr. Green pointed out that vintage bottles were also enjoying a surge in popularity thanks in part to Americans.

"There has been an increase in consumption in the high end stuff,'' he said.

"The Americans are really getting into wine now.'' For special occasions, like Valentine's Day, Mr. Morabito said locals usually reach for rose wines.

"For Valentine's Day, most people go for a White Zinfandel,'' he said. "The colour makes it very popular.'' Mr. Morabito said another perennial favourite was champagne -- the sparkling drink discovered and perfected by the Benedictine monk, Dom Perignon.

"We are selling a lot of champagne for Valentine's Day, especially the rose.

A good one is Bollinger, the champagne of James Bond.'' And Mr. Green urged locals not to wait until special occasions to enjoy a bit of bubbly.

"Champagne is not just a Valentine's Day drink,'' he said. "It can be enjoyed any time.'' With regards to the widely-held belief that there will be a shortage of bubbly for the Millennium, Mr. Green said.

"I don't think there will be a shortage, but people are snapping up some special bottles.'' Why wait: Champagne is not just for special occasions. The festive drink invented by Benedictine monk Dom Perignon can be imbibed anytime.