I’ve created a quick guide to help you pair wines with chocolates. With Valentine’s Day coming up, I see tons of promotions for wine and chocolate pairings all over the Internet. So, what are some wines that pair with chocolates, anyway? While I don’t consider myself a wine expert, I’ve done some research and added my personal experiences.
Pairing chocolate with wine balances flavors, sweetness, and tannins. Even though the majority of these are for reds, here are some suggestions for your chocolate and wine pairings:
1. Dark Chocolate (70% or higher cocoa)
• Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah.
• Why? The bitterness and intensity of dark chocolate need a bold, tannic wine. The wine should have dark fruit and spice notes to create balance.
2. Milk Chocolate (30-50% cocoa)
• Wine Pairing: Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Ruby Port
• Why? Milk chocolate’s creaminess and sweetness go well with fruit-forward, medium-bodied reds with lower tannins.
3. White Chocolate
• Wine Pairing: Brachetto d’Acqui, Moscato d’Asti, and Lambrusco
• Why? White chocolate’s buttery sweetness pairs beautifully with light, fruity, slightly effervescent red wines.
4. Chocolate with Nuts or Caramel
• Wine Pairing: Tawny Port, Aged Zinfandel, and Madeira
• Why? The nutty, caramelized flavors work well with the aged, slightly oxidized, or fortified wines.
5. Spiced or Chili Chocolate
• Wine Pairing: Syrah, Malbec, and Zinfandel
• Why? The bold, peppery, and fruit-forward nature of these wines complements the spicy heat in the chocolate.
New Jersey has plenty of wine and chocolate trail weekends during Valentine’s Day weekend. If there’s a pairing I should add to this, please feel free to drop it in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you about some of your favorites since we all have unique palates.