The Perfect Couple

Wine & Chocolate

There’s wine. And then there’s chocolate. Two entirely separate yet equally addictive (and delicious) treats, that when paired together create a widely-adored confectionary match. In recent years, as wine farms diversify their visitor offering, many have expanded into wine and chocolate pairings. Yet, is this a logical match, or is it just a passing fad? What’s the deal with wine and chocolate?

The Why?

Besides being a match made in heaven, wine and chocolate are often paired because the process of making chocolate is remarkably similar to wine. For example, just like wine, chocolate has tannins too. They’re also both considered aphrodisiacs if you’re into that kind of thing. But the key similarity is that both cocoa beans and wine are fermented with the very same type of yeast. Thanks to a similar process, and just as with wine, chocolate presents a complexity of flavors and textures, with the potential for subtle changes with each new batch of chocolate.

How are wine and chocolate paired?

The truth is that chocolate and wine both have very intense flavors! A wine’s acidity and tannin can easily clash with the creaminess and subtle flavor nuances of chocolate. As both wine and chocolate making are artisanal and artistic on their own, placing these powerhouse confectionaries side by side undoubtedly takes consideration and care.
Wine and chocolate pairing shouldn’t be daunting though – just remember the following: match sweetness with sweetness! It’s the best and simplest way to do it.

Our Top 3 Wine Pairings for 3 Classic Chocolates

Dark Chocolate:

Dark chocolate is the easiest to pair and generally matches well with deep, dark, and slightly sweet reds – our top picks include Zinfandel, Malbec, or Petite Sirah. Any wine that has some weight to it can work. Port-style reds, Late Harvests, or even Muscadel wine are also excellent as they have ample intense sweetness to balance dark chocolate.

Milk Chocolate:

Milk chocolate equals half chocolate and half cream. This means that there is fat from the cream, making it one of the easier pairings as the fat removes some of the bitterness that can contrast with a wine.

If you want to try a delicious milk chocolate and wine combo, pair it with a wine that brings a natural sweetness to help keep up with the sweetness of the chocolate. Think dessert wines, like a Vintage Port, Madeira, or sweet sherry.

White Chocolate:

Let’s set the (chocolate) bar straight. White chocolate isn’t technically a “true” chocolate because it doesn’t contain cacao. The good news here is that it can match a dry red wine.

The ultimate white chocolate and wine pairing is Pinot Noir. This is a particularly perfect choice as the white chocolate acts as the fat that delivers sweet flavors of red cherries, strawberries, and raspberries found in the Pinot Noir.

While there may be some that are feverishly against lining your palate with any kind of sugar before tasting wine, when done well, there are few things as deliciously decadent. And don’t forget: when tasting, the general rule is wine first, then the chocolate. But we’re not judging!