But, there was at least one who died on February 14, and is recorded to have been a Roman Priest that aided and married young Christian couples who were prosecuted by the emperor of the time Claudius II. Valentine was imprisoned, beaten and eventually beheaded for trying to convert Claudius into Christendom
(see Wikipedia http://bit.ly/yEaCP).

Today, there are many explanations on how Valentine became a Saint, from many different sources. Even Geoffrey Chaucer was attributed to have started the tradition in his writings, of giving tokens of love to the special person that we love. In France, like everywhere Saint Valentine’s Day is synonymous to 'Saint Love' or 'Saint-Amour'. There is not only one, but are two villages that wear the name of "Saint-Amour". The first is not so well-known village, located in the Jura wine region just north of Bourg-en-Bresse. While the other, much more popular, is a village in the Rhone department situated in the Beaujolais wine region.

Saint-Amour en Bellevue in Beaujolais, is one of the ten Crus of the Beaujolais appellation that few people know about. Saint-Amour makes fruity, supple wines, not pretentious and quite pleasant to drink. We often drink the wines of the Domaine of Bernadette et Paul Spay, Domaine de la Cave Lamartine. Another wine maker that makes really good Saint-Amour is Domaine des Duc les Capitans. They won a gold medal for their 2010 vintage this year at the International competition of the Gamay 2012
(see Concours Gamay: http://bit.ly/z9nurs).

Saint-Amour en Bellevue is also the village that people come from all over the world to get married. Last year there was a large in flux of Chinese couples who reserved February 14 to get married in the village. And why not? Not only do they fulfill their wish of wanting an everlasting married life with that very special someone, but also, there is plenty of red wine to celebrate the occasion! Long live Saint –Amour !

Leaving the USA for Europe after her studies at the University of Houston, Melba falls in love with the wine and food culture in France and decides to stay. She obtains a diploma from the well-known "Université-du-vin", Suze la Rousse in the Rhone Valley and at the same time succeeds in getting Beginning and Advance Certificates from the WSET [Wine & Spirits Education Trust] Program of London in the same year. As a passionate enthusiast, Melba dedicates herself to Wine Communication and Education. She teaches at the International European Management Institute since 2000.

by Melba Allen
Melba's blog: The Wine Profilers
Luxury hotels and designer Bed and Breakfasts in the Rhone Valley, Business hotels and Secret places