Nothing goes better with a great glass of wine than a delightful piece of chocolate. Not sure how to pair your favourite glass of vino with your favourite sweet treat? Here are some wine and chocolate pairings that you’ll love.
White chocolate
The lighter the chocolate, the lighter the wine you’ll want to pair it with, so white chocolate desserts tend to go very well with sherry, a fruity chardonnay, a Muscat, or a Moscato d’Asti. These lighter wines lean towards a fruity taste that matches the creaminess in the white chocolate perfectly.
Milk chocolate
The high sugar content in milk chocolate can cancel out fruity notes in red wine, making them taste a little bitter. However, it pairs perfectly with dessert wines, Pinot Noir, Reisling, and Merlot. It’s also a great choice if you happen to have a little champagne on hand, as the dryness of the drink blends with the creaminess of the chocolate wonderfully. Try to keep your wine at least as sweet as your chocolate, and you can’t go wrong.
Dark chocolate
Chocolate connoisseurs may already know that the bitterness of dark chocolate just begs to be paired with a more robust wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Zinfandel, but it also brings out the flavour in Pinot Noir and Port. If you aren’t crazy about these heavier wines, try sipping them while nibbling on dark chocolate and you may just change your mind.
Bittersweet chocolate
Even if you’ve never thought of eating bittersweet (70-100% cocoa), you might reconsider if you pair it with a glass of Bordeaux or Beaujolais. Hearty, robust wines like Port and Shiraz bring out the rich flavour of the chocolate while cutting through some of its bite. It’s a very tasty way to enjoy two strong flavours without overpowering either one.
Chocolate covered fruit
Strawberries dipped in chocolate may be on the menu, so don’t be afraid to pair your wine accordingly. You’ll want fruity, sweet wine to accompany your romantic nibbles, so try a Red Zinfandel or a Rose Champagne for the perfect pairing.
For more great information about wine and food pairings, visit the staff at Vinbon today.
