If you want to keep your lady around, you'll have to romance her once in a while. Luckily that simply means presenting bottle of wine with the dinner you've picked up on your way home from work. But which grape variety to choose? Here, Patrick Watso, owner of the new Brooklyn Wine Exchange in Cobble Hill (138 Court Street between Atlantic Ave and Pacific St), covers the basic parings.

If you're eating Thai
Not to be predictable (or stereotypical), Watso suggests a sake called Yuki No Bosha ($19): "The name means cabin in the snow, and it's very clean with a hint of pear and apple and a nice acidity."

If you're eating Chinese
Go for Tocai Friulano, a 2008 white wine from upstate New York that's $17 a bottle. "It's got a citrus lemon and lime flavor that's refreshing when paired with General Tso's chicken or lemon chicken," he says. "You can drink that all day long." Though that might not be a good idea.

If you're eating pizza
"The 2008 Vigneti del Sole ($8) is dynamite for pizza," Watso touts. "There's a delicious spice to it and it's made from a ripe red fruit that makes it a great, simple, everyday glass of wine."

If you're eating Mexican
Forget the Corona and Dos Equis, Watso's got a red wine that goes down smooth with tacos and burritos: a Kaiken Malbec from Argentina ($13). "Great for the winter, this red wine is ripe, juicy, spicy and satiating."

If you're eating potato chips
If you haven't learned by now, wine doesn't have to be paired with a fancy-pants meal. If a bag of Lay's is what you're serving, then so be it. Just accompany it with a bottle of 2007 Fleur Petite Syrah ($16). "It's got a nice, sweet fruit that goes perfectly with salty chips," he says. Just use a napkin to wipe your greasy fingers.