PAIRING WONDERFUL WINE AND CHOCOLATE

PAIRING WONDERFUL WINE AND CHOCOLATE

Both charged with healthy resveratrol and the reputation of being aphrodisiacal, what’s not to like about pairing these two household staples?

There are a few rules or hints on what chocolate goes with which wine, so read on and perhaps try a chocolate and wine pairing yourselves this Easter.

In our home, its dark 85% chocolate or more that dominates, although we do, on occasion, have a white Toblerone and sometimes we are gifted with milk chocolate or truffle chocolates.

Should you do a tasting, as with other tastings across the board, I suggest going from the light to dark chocolates and wines, starting with a white chocolate and light-bodied wine ending with dark chocolate with medium-bodied or fortified wines.

Personally, I would stay away from full-bodied dry reds which could, due to the high tannins, lead to a rather unpleasant bitterness.

It is suggested to choose a wine that is slightly sweeter/fruitier than the chocolate, allowing the chocolate to be the star with the wine rounding off the taste experience, ensuring there will be no bitter or sour aftertaste. So try to match for example, like with like, a fruit and nut chocolate bar with a wine with berry, cherry or nut notes, or a wine with citrus notes could compliment a rich chocolate.

Fortified or dessert wines such as Port, Sherry, Banyuls (a fortified favourite from the South of France) or some of the Grenache and Mourvedre blends from the Roussillon region or perhaps a Merlot, all are excellent wines to pair with dark chocolate.

A Viognier, Tawny Port and a Pinot Gris from the Alsace region should be excellent with milk chocolate, so too a Gewurtztraminer and some sweeter, sparkling wines.

White chocolate calls for a Rosé or a Moscato d’Asti or perhaps an off-dry Riesling and wines on the sweeter side.

A mooch around your local cave and a chat with the sommelier will no doubt be beneficial and give you some more ideas.

Remember, although it can be too early for wine, it can never be too early in the day for chocolate, so why not arrange a small chocolate and wine pairing with your friends? Just could be a delicious and fun get-together!

Have a very happy, safe and fun-filled Easter.

Cheers, Pam