Valentine’s Day Perfect Couple: Chocolate & Wine
We love our special Valentine. We love our candied hearts. We love our long-stemmed roses. And we really love our chocolate! It’s luscious, sweet, exciting, and comforting all at the same time even with the smallest bite.
This month is a great time to explore some new chocolate recipes and wines that beautifully enhance the chocolatey experience.
Because chocolate comes in different sweetness levels and has its own tannins, it’s not one size fit partnering. Here are some basic tips for pairing wines with a variety of chocolates:
Dark Chocolate – This one can be tricky because the robust tannins in dark chocolate can make the wine taste bitter. But a full-bodied wine such as a Pinot Noir or a Cabernet
Sauvignon will stand up to darker chocolate. Both the chocolate and the wine are deep and complex, and yet they enhance each other quite beautifully. Other good wine choices for darker chocolate are Zinfandel, Malbec, and Petit Sirah.
Milk Chocolate – Quality milk chocolate is made up of milk and cream, and the fat in the cream lends itself to some wonderful wine pairings. Try the sweet and sparkling Brachetto d’Acqui or Lambrusco di Sorbara – both from Italy. You can also enjoy milk chocolate with a Ruby Port, Merlot, or Gewurztraminer.
White Chocolate – Pinot Noir is a wonderful pairing for white chocolate because the fat in the chocolate brings out the rich berry flavors of the wine. Another great choice of wine for white chocolate is Beaujolais or a sweeter rosè.
You can also enjoy white wine with white chocolate. Try a light-bodied, bubbly Moscato d’Asti and get hints of peaches and cream along with floral notes, or a sweeter Riesling with its flowery aroma and high acidity.
Looking for something decadent to make for your honey? (And that includes yourself!)
We’ve chosen some delicious and simple-to-follow chocolate dessert recipes. Have fun exploring wines that will bring out the best in both.
Chocolate Fondue from The Carefree Kitchen
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries from Real Simple
Flourless Chocolate Cake from King Arthur
Chocolate Truffles from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Looking for something unique for Valentines Day? We have our Valentines Pairing at the Winery!
