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If you're not pairing your wine with chocolate, World Chocolate Day (July 7) is the perfect time to start!
As if both wine and chocolate could get any better, enjoying them side by side delivers a whole new flavor experience. Wine and chocolate share many of the same properties: they're both aphrodisiacs and both come in a variety of different strengths and flavor profiles. Because of the varying intensities and sweetness of wines and chocolates, if not paired properly, the combination can be bitter and unenjoyable. Keep these pairing suggestions in mind when choosing a chocolate to accompany your favorite bottle of vino.
White Chocolate
Although it is not technically considered chocolate due to its lack of cacao, white chocolate's creamy, sweet and buttery flavors make it a great pair to delicate, light-bodied wines. Light, fruit-forward wines and bubbly wines help cleanse the palate of the richness of white chocolate. Try these wines with white chocolate:
This crisp, bubbly rosé is smooth with notes of red fruit, berries vanilla, and brown sugar. These sweet notes in combination with the smooth mouthfeel of this wine will pair phenomenally with creamy, smooth white chocolate. The bubbles will bring out the buttery characteristics of the chocolate.
This light, off-dry wine has fruity, sweet flavors with a low alcoholic content and acidity which gives the wine the pleasant freshness that pairs so perfectly with white chocolate.
This Pinot Noir has notes of black cherry, currant and strawberry and subtle notes of forest floor and spice. It has a soft and silky mouthfeel with balanced acidity. The lightness of Pinot Noir is a great accompaniment to creamy, rich white chocolate.
Milk Chocolate
Sweet and creamy milk chocolate pairs best with lighter reds and sweet whites. When choosing a wine to enjoy alongside milk chocolate, avoid anything too heavy that will overpower the flavor and texture of the chocolate, so stick to lighter-bodied wines. Try sipping these wines alongside milk chocolate:
This Moscato is delicately sweet with mild citrus acidity. This light, slightly-fruity white is ideal for not only serving with milk chocolate, but with fruity chocolate and other desserts such as fruit tarts or pastries.
The description says it all: "A soft semi-sweet juicy red wine. The rich cherry background flavors are accentuated when served with anything chocolate." This juicy red is light enough that it won't be overpowering when paired with milk chocolate.
Late Harvest has juicy, sweet tannins & a fruity freshness. This wine is begging to be served after dinner with milk chocolate and a cup of coffee. Additionally, try it with other desserts such as vanilla ice cream and fresh or dried fruit.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate pairs best with red wines. The darker the chocolate, the lighter the wine enjoyed with it should be as to not overwhelm the palate. Dark chocolates with a higher percentage of cacao solids (>65%) should be paired with sweeter, lighter wines while chocolates with a lower percentage of cacao solids can be paired with more robust wines. Try these wines with dark chocolate:
This highly-aromatic Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of warm raspberry pie, sweet tobacco, clove, vanilla and fresh herb bouquet. Its robust dark chocolate notes make it a great pair for a lighter dark chocolate.
This light-bodied Pinot Noir should be savored alongside a robust and rich dark chocolate. Its strawberry and cherry notes also make it a great accompaniment to chocolate-covered strawberries.
With notes of dark cherry, blackberry, and toasted oak, this Merlot has deep, rich and robust flavors. Due to its very low residual sugar level, this wine should be enjoyed with sweeter dark chocolates that are under 60% cacao.
Tastes vary from person-to-person, so don't stop at these suggestions and keep experimenting until you find the chocolate and wine combination that is perfect for you!
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