Of all the weeks to indulge in wine and chocolate, dear friends, this is the most perfect one. But do we grab random bottles and heart-shaped boxes for Valentine’s Day? Of course not. On this day, we ask the experts at Colonial Wine & Spirits for advice on finding choco-wino soulmates.
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a good rule of thumb:
Try to match lighter, more elegant flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines. Likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be.
If you prefer milk chocolate:
Six grapes is a classic pairing with milk chocolate candy bites and desserts, but pinot noir and lighter bodied merlot work just as well. For another delicious option, try it with a slightly sweet sparkling wine like the Veuve Cliquot Demi Sec.
Try these:
- Rodney Strong Merlot
- Pol Roger Brut
- Grahams Six Grapes Port
- Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
If you prefer dark chocolate:
Dark chocolates are robust and demand a wine pairing just as bold, and cabernet sauvignon is perfect. With its own notes of chocolate, you can’t go wrong. A bold, slightly spicy, rich zin makes a decadent pairing, and a tawny port, with its nutty vanilla notes, matches beautifully. Mary the opposite flavor profiles of dark chocolates and rich chocolate desserts with the delicate sweetness of a sparkling wine like Gougenheim Sparkling Malbec.
Try these:
- Gougenheim Sparkling Malbec Rose N/V
- Round Pond Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin Zin
- Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port
If you prefer white chocolate:
With decadent notes that are creamy, rich and buttery, white chocolate does well with a spritzy moscato, mouth-filling muscat or rich sherry. For contrasting flavors, they recommend a hearty red zinfandel.
Try these:
- Nivole Moscato
- St Francis Old Vine Zinfandel
- Le Tertre du Lys d’Or Sauternes
- Osborne Pedro Ximenez Sherry
To lean more about the pairing process, including how to host your own tasting, head to the Colonial Wine & Spirits website.