Do you love wine and chocolate? If so, you’re in luck! In this article, we will discuss some wine and chocolate pairings that are sure to please your palate.
We’ll also give you a few tips on how to choose the right wine and chocolate for that perfect finish.
Wine and Chocolate Pairings
Wine and chocolate pairings are easy to do, and most of them will taste fantastic.
Keep the color of chocolate and wine in the same range and the flavors will pair well.
Pair white or light wines with white or milk chocolate, darker wines with milk to dark chocolate, and rich fortified or dark red wines with very dark or spicy chocolate.
Read on to get our tips and specific recommendations for wine and chocolate pairings.
Top Tips for Wine and Chocolate Pairings
Wine and chocolate are classic pairings that are loved by many.
But, with so many different types of wine and chocolate available, it can be tricky to know which ones to choose.
Here are a few tips to help you out.
- First, consider the type of wine you want to drink. White wine tends to pair well with lighter chocolates, while red wine goes better with darker chocolates.
- Second, think about the intensity of the flavors. If you want a bolder flavor, look for wines with higher alcohol content. For a more delicate flavor, choose wines with lower alcohol content.
- The color of chocolate and the color of wine should roughly coordinate. The darker the chocolate, the darker the wine you should choose.
Now that you know a few things about wine and chocolate pairings, it’s time to choose the perfect one for your needs.
Read More: Different Types of Red Wine. We explore red wines in this guide to help you choose your perfect glass!
Our Favorite Wine and Chocolate Pairings
We love wine and chocolate together. It’s the world’s easiest dessert, and the combinations are endless.
- For a romantic evening, we recommend pairing a bottle of sparkling wine with dark chocolate truffles.
- Choose a fruity sparkling wine for fruit-filled truffles or champagne with ganache truffles.
- Pair Malbec with spicy dark chocolate for a memorable dessert.
- Port and dark chocolate are a classic pairing for a reason – the flavors draw on each other perfectly.
- For something truly unique, try pairing a glass of sweet dessert wine with white chocolate.
- Merlot and Dark Chocolate. The rich, fruity flavors of merlot are a perfect match for the intensity of dark chocolate. Try pairing it with dark chocolate that has hints of cherry or raspberry.
- Sauvignon Blanc and Milk Chocolate. The bright acidity of sauvignon blanc helps to balance the sweetness of milk chocolate. We recommend pairing it with creamy milk chocolate that has a touch of vanilla.
- Pinot Noir and White Chocolate. The delicate flavors of pinot noir are enhanced by the sweetness of white chocolate. Try pairing it with white chocolate that has notes of almond or honey.
Wine and chocolate don’t just taste good together, they feel good together.
The acidity in the wine balances the fatty, smooth texture of the chocolate, making a perfect balance.
Chocolates That Can Be Paired With Wine
Pairing wine with white chocolate can be tricky as the rich sweetness of the chocolate can easily overwhelm a wine.
However, when done correctly, the pairing can be quite magical.
Pair White Chocolate With Wine
White chocolate is sweet, creamy, and pairs well with fruity wines.
For wine and white chocolate pairings, we recommend trying white chocolate with a sweet wine like Moscato or Riesling.
The sweetness of the wine will complement the sweetness of the chocolate and bring out its creamy flavors.
Pair Milk Chocolate With Wine
For milk chocolate, you’ll want to find a wine that has some acidity to it.
This will help to cut through the sweetness of the chocolate and create a more dynamic pairing.
A good option here would be Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.
The acidity of the wine will help to bring out the fruitiness of the chocolate and create a well-rounded pairing.
There are lighter and darker milk chocolates, so keep this in mind when choosing a wine to pair with milk chocolate.
We recommend trying milk chocolate with a fruity wine like Riesling and Moscato.
The sweetness of the wine will complement the sweetness of the chocolate and bring out its creamy flavors.
If you’re looking for a richer pairing, try milk chocolate with a red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pair Dark Chocolate With Wine
Dark chocolate is rich, intense, and pairs well with full-bodied wines.
Pairing wine with dark chocolate can be a bit easier than with other types of chocolate, as the intense flavor of dark chocolate can stand up to a full-flavored wine.
For wine and dark chocolate pairings, we recommend trying dark chocolate with a red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlots and Chiantis, or Syrah.
If you’re pairing chocolate with cinnamon or chili peppers, you can’t go wrong with Malbec or Carmenere – South American wines created for spicy foods.
If you’re looking for a sweeter pairing, try dark chocolate with a dessert wine like Port or Madeira.
The sweetness of the wine will complement the sweetness of the chocolate and create a delicious pairing.
Wondering if you are getting better flavor chocolate with a higher price tag?
Check out this fun video that explores that very topic.
How to Pair Wine and Chocolate Like a Somm
Trying out different wine and chocolate pairings is a fun way to learn more about wine, and it can be a delicious way to spend an evening.
You don’t need to be a sommelier or a chocolatier to create your wine and chocolate pairing – all you need is a little creativity and some guidance.
Here are a few tips for creating your wine and chocolate pairings:
- Start by choosing a wine that you enjoy. If you’re not sure where to start, try asking for recommendations at your local wine shop. If you don’t like the wine you start with, chocolate won’t fix it, so pick the wine first.
- Once you’ve selected your wine, think about what type of chocolate would pair well with it. Dark chocolate tends to go well with red wines, while light milk or white chocolate pairs better with white wines.
- Experiment! Don’t be afraid to try out different combinations. You may be surprised by what you discover. Some of the world’s best food pairings were discovered by the adventurous!
So pour some wine in your best wine glass, get a variety of chocolates, and get ready to explore the world of wine and chocolate pairing!
What are your favorite wine and chocolate pairings? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Wrap Up
You almost can’t go wrong when pairing good wine and good chocolate together.
As you explore the world of wine and chocolate you’re bound to discover some favorites, but don’t stop exploring!