Happy Valentine’s – Make It Special!
Wine is tasty …Chocolate is yummy, but which one is better in your tummy? This short poem, a box of great Swiss chocolates from Sprungli, and a glass of Port have inspired me to write about those two powerful indulgences. Because when you put chocolate and wine together…magic happens! Maybe you are thinking about proposing… find out the 5 Places To Pop The Question On Valentine’s Day.
Why not treat your special someone this Valentine’s Day to a special wine and chocolate pairing? The perfect combination of decadent dark chocolate and a bold red wine will make for an unforgettable evening. A Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah is the perfect pairing for dark chocolate, while Vintner’s Reserve Rosé 2019 is ideal for those looking to add a bit of sweetness to the mix. For a more adventurous pairing, try a Zinfandel with some chewy and gooey dark chocolate; it may be a bit of a risk, but if you get it right, it will be worth it. Finally, to complete the perfect romantic evening, consider adding sweet berries to complement the Cabernet Sauvignon or finishing with some rose petals and strawberries for an extra touch of romance. No matter your choice, this Valentine’s Day will surely be remembered with this delicious and romantic pairing.
For some old-line chefs and sommeliers, the idea of red wine and chocolate going together is disturbing; however, for others, it is exciting. In Europe, wine tastings with chocolate are becoming a trendy alternative to cheese. Chocolate is often simultaneously sweet, bitter, fruity, and acidic. In addition, it can have extra ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, caramel, pepper, nuts, dried fruits, or crèames of raspberry, orange, or mint. And, don’t forget strawberries dipped in chocolate. Enjoy your chocolate in one of the 5 Romantic Cities to Visit for Valentine’s Day.
In order to pair well, wine needs to be similarly intense. This is one of the essential tips while pairing – Don’t match strong to delicate. Some chocolate desserts can overpower many wines; both are very complex on their own. Light, creamy, milky, or white chocolates tend to pair best with light-bodied wines and dark, bitter, strong-flavored chocolates with full-bodied wines. Find out where to get the Best Chocolate In The U.S..
Best results are achieved when:
- The wine is sweeter than the chocolate.
- The wine is big enough to cut the richness of chocolate.
- Both should have similar flavors.
- If you are having various chocolates, start from light to dark, & make sure the wine goes light-bodied to full-bodied.
White Chocolate: White chocolate tends to be light and buttery in flavor. It pairs well with Moscato d’Asti, Rieslings, Ice Wines, Rose, cream Sherry & light-bodied Pinot Noir.
Milk Chocolate: Pairs well with a medium body Merlot, port wines, Maderia & Pinot Noir. Champagne is another great option…who doesn’t like champagne with chocolate-covered strawberries?
Dark or Bittersweet Chocolate -71 to 100 % of cacao very bitter, roasted, nutty, intensive flavor. Pairs well with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon, full-body Merlots & Pinot Noirs, Barolo, Brunello, Sherry, Zinfandel, Malbec, Shiraz & Port
Here is an excellent chart from Kendall Jackson you can use when planning your own chocolate and wine tasting party.
