Chocolate and Wine Pairing Tips
Few things pair as well together as chocolate and wine. But what if you don’t know how to pair them? What if you’re afraid of making a mistake?
Well, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best chocolate wine pairings out there. So whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll be able to create the perfect pairing for any occasion.
Chocolate Wine Pairings to Make You go Awww
To begin your delicious chocolate wine pairing adventure, consider categorizing the chocolate by type and taste-testing some of these delectable combinations.
Milk Chocolate and Wine Pairing
Many people consider milk chocolate to be less sophisticated than dark chocolate. However, this creamy chocolate with notes of vanilla and brown sugar can really hit the spot. In addition, milk chocolate is more versatile to pair than dark chocolate because it lacks tannins and has a luscious fat.
Light- to medium-bodied wines with bright fruit notes will go great with milk chocolate. For example, easy drinking red blends or pinot noir are great choices. You could also try port or gewürztraminer as wine pairings for milk chocolate.
Dark Chocolate and Wine Pairing
Dark chocolate is one of the most popular treats for wine enthusiasts. Not only does dark chocolate pair well with a wide variety of wines, but it also adds complexity and depth to the flavor profile of any wine. However, it can be tricky to pair dark chocolate and wine successfully as the tannins from both can lead to a bitter taste. To get the most out of your pairing, choose a full-bodied, fruity red wine like zinfandel, merlot, malbec or gamay. These wines will provide enough complexity to pair well with the chocolate without overpowering it.
White Chocolate and Wine Pairing
White chocolate is a decadent treat that’s high in cocoa butter, milk solids, and sugar. It has a rich, buttery flavor with notes of vanilla, honey, and sweet cream. Pairing it with the right wine can be a real challenge.
Most wines are too dry to pair well with white chocolate. However, some sweeter wines like spätlese riesling, moscato d’Asti, or off-dry rosé can work well. These wines have enough residual sugar and personality to match a square of white chocolate without getting washed out.
How to Pair Chocolate and Wine
To create a sensational chocolate and wine pairing that is well-balanced, you need to put in a little extra consideration. Start by following these basic steps:
Consider Additions to Your Chocolate
Flavored chocolates such as chili, coffee, or citrus can be difficult to pair. You need a versatile wine that won’t clash or overpower the flavors of the chocolate. A good choice would be a dry sparkling wine with aromas of citrus and stone fruits like pinot noir blanc de noirs. It will add complexity to the pairing while balancing out the flavors.
Think About Sugar Content
When you’re tasting chocolate and wine together, it’s important to take the sugar content into account. Sweetness in food will decrease how fruity or sweet a wine tastes, and make it more bitter instead. The best wines to pair with sugary chocolate are dessert wines or ones that have similar characteristics. Some might think this pairing would be sickly sweet, however the opposite is true. The sugar levels in both cancel each other out, resulting in a balanced taste overall.
Match Intensities
To get the best out of your pairing, it’s important to match the intensity between the chocolate and wine. The bolder and darker the chocolate, the more intense the wine should be, while white and milk chocolates are better paired with lighter wines. A full-bodied red like cabernet sauvignon is a great choice for dark chocolate, while a light-bodied white like pinot grigio is perfect for milk and white chocolates.
Avoid Tannic Wines
Tannins are responsible for the dryness in red wines, so they don’t pair well with sweet chocolate. The sweetness of the chocolate is not strong enough to counterbalance the tannins and will taste unpleasantly bitter. Instead, choose a sweeter red wine or one that has low tannin levels such as pinot noir or gamay.
Top 10 Chocolates to Go with Wines
- White Chocolate – Riesling
- Milk Chocolate – Port or Gewürztraminer
- Dark Chocolate – Cabernet Sauvignon
- Salted Caramel Chocolates – Merlot
- Mint Chocolate – Zinfandel
- Peanut Butter Cup Chocolates – Chenin Blanc
- Almond Butter Chocolates – Gamay
- Toffee Chocolate – Muscat
- Dark Chocolate with Orange – Sauvignon Blanc
- Dark Chocolate with Chili – Prosecco or Champagne
Conclusion
Pairing chocolate and wine can be tricky, but with a little bit of knowledge you can create sensational combinations. Keep in mind the different chocolates available, such as milk, dark and white chocolate, as well as their various additions like chili or citrus. Match the intensity between the two, avoid tannic wines when pairing with sweet chocolates and think about the sugar content. Lastly, follow our list of top 10 chocolates to go with wines for some delicious pairings! With all this knowledge, you’ll be sure to dazzle your friends with a great chocolate and wine pairing. Enjoy!
FAQs
What are the best wines to pair with chocolate?
The best wines to pair with chocolate are dry sparkling wines, dessert wines, full-bodied reds such as cabernet sauvignon and light-bodied whites like pinot grigio. For flavored chocolates such as chili or coffee, try a versatile dry sparkling wine with aromas of citrus and stone fruits like pinot noir blanc de noirs.
Can I pair tannic wines with chocolate?
No, tannic wines are best avoided when pairing with sweet chocolates. The sweetness of the chocolate is not strong enough to counterbalance the tannins and will taste unpleasantly bitter. Instead, choose a sweeter red wine or one that has low tannin levels such as pinot noir or gamay.
What is the best way to pair chocolate and wine?
The best way to pair chocolate and wine is to match the intensity between the two, take into account the sugar content, and avoid tannic wines when pairing with sweet chocolates. For white chocolates, pair them with light-bodied whites like Riesling or Gewürztraminer while dark chocolate is best paired with full-bodied reds such as cabernet sauvignon or merlot. Lastly, follow our list of top 10 chocolates to go with wines for some delicious pairings!
When pairing chocolate and wine, should I take into account the sugar content?
Yes, when pairing chocolate and wine it is important to take into account the sugar content. Some might think this pairing would be sickly sweet, however the opposite is true. The sugar levels in both cancel each other out, resulting in a balanced taste overall. Consider the sugar content when pairing, lighter wines such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer should be chosen for white and milk chocolates while full-bodied reds like cabernet sauvignon are best paired with dark chocolate.
Do all types of chocolates go well with wine?
No, not all types of chocolates go well with wine. Milk and dark chocolate have the best flavor combinations when paired with wines while white chocolate should generally be avoided. For flavored chocolates such as chili or coffee, try a versatile dry sparkling wine with aromas of citrus and stone fruits like pinot noir blanc de noirs.
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