The Perfect Chocolate and Wine Tasting

Vintage Port is a classic accompaniment to dark chocolate. Vintage Port comes as red, white and rosé, although, rosé is so rare I’ve never actually seen one.

The Sensuality of Wine

What could be better than a tasting of wine and chocolate?

This is an all time favorite pairing. There are whole festivals all over the world dedicated to wine and chocolate tastings—way more than wine and cheese. That might be, of course, because both Wine and Chocolate are traditional aphrodisiacs so if things get out of hand, don’t say I didn’t tell you.

I always end up with chocolate all over my fingers and crumpled paper napkins in my pocket, so a little planning ahead is advised.

Wine and chocolate tastings are easy to do at home, or at fundraising events, and can be as simple or elaborate as you want.

I have been to black tie wine and chocolate tastings but you can do them in your bath robe in the backyard if that’s what works. Picnics can be good, too.

This week I’m doing something a little different.

My goal is always to serve you and your passion for wine. It’s remotely possible, however unlikely, that I don’t know every single thing there is to know about wine so I want you to know the opinions, or at least where to go to get the opinions, of other wine experts’ thoughts on one of the greatest tastings known to the human species.

Tips

There are a few tips in doing the pairings. I summarized these from “The Spruce Eats” at https://www.thespruceeats.com/pairing-wine-and-chocolate-3511408. If you want the whole thing, just check out their website.

1-Generally start with wines that are at least slightly sweeter than the chocolate. Port, Madiera and Sherries are traditional although you could go with Hungarian Tokai Aszu or Muscat as well.

2-The darker the chocolate the more tannins it will have, so try to avoid pairing those with heavily tannic Zinfandel or Cabernet that aren’t overpoweringly tannic. Cabernet is an old standby but if both chocolate and wine have too much tannin, it will be educational for your palate but probably not a crowd favorite.

3-Taste from light to heavy chocolates, just as you do with wine. Delicate flavors in chocolate do better with delicate, usually white wines. Just as with wine, tasting the heavy flavors first can burn out your palate and you won’t be able to taste the nuances at all.

If you’re interested in other combinations to choose from try here at Wine.com, https://www.wine.com/content/landing/chocolatepairing#

Wine and Chocolate Tasting Party

If you want to also increase your knowledge of flavors and aromas, you can do the same thing with wine and chocolate that I suggested last week you could do with wine and cheese—taste one chocolate with three wines, or three wines with one chocolate and see how they differ.

Chances are, it will amaze you how interconnected flavors and aromas are.

Wine and Chocolate Parties are always fun and can lead to surprisingly sensual combinations.

Here’s one possible combination from Kendall Jackson winery in Sonoma, California. The selections are based on the wines they produce, so don’t get hung up on varietals, experiment yourself and see what you discover.

If you want more details try their website at www.kj.com › blog › wine-chocolate-pairing-tasting-party

From Kendall Jackson Winery:

Chardonnay and White Chocolate

Pinot Gris and Orange Zest Chocolate

Riesling and Milk Chocolate, Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Sauvignon Blanc and Citrus Infused White Chocolate

Recommended Wines with Dark Chocolate:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/pairing-wine-and-chocolate-3511408

from “The Spruce Eats”

• Vin Santo del Chianti: or Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice has rich, sweet flavors of cherries, cinnamon, and a fine nuttiness.

• Port: The original Port from Portugal often has touches of cinnamon spice to the taste profile and pairs marvelously with chocolates with high cacao percentages.

• Pedro Ximinez: The region of Montilla-Moriles in Spain makes this inky brown-black colored wine (PX or Pedro Ximinez) designed to be enjoyed in exceptionally small sips. The wine adds nutty and raisinated flavors to dark chocolate and even goes well with espresso.

• Chinato: This is an aromatized wine (aka vermouth) from Piedmont, with subtle notes of cherry dusted in exotic spices. This one is a sipper (or better yet, in a Boulevardier cocktail).

Wine and Chocolate Festivals

Festivals are a great place to experience different combinations. There is probably one near you. This one is going on today (Saturday, February 5th) in Vancouver.

Wine and Chocolate festivals Feb 04, 4:00 PM PST – Feb 05, 10:00 PM PST

Enumclaw EXPO Center, 45224 284th Ave SE, Enumclaw, WA 98022, US

Recommended Wines with Milk Chocolate:

I’ve edited these to keep it simpler but you can see the whole list at Wine Folly, https://winefolly.com/wine-pairing/what-wines-to-pair-with-chocolate/

Brachetto d’Acqui: A sweet sparkling red wine from Piedmont, Italy. It is also an excellent pair with chocolate mousse!

Late-Harvest Red Wines: Port style wines including late-harvest Syrah, Pinot Noir and Petite Sirah.

Ruby Port: The original Port from Portugal makes for a more spiced and berry driven pairing with milk chocolate

Rutherglen Muscat: This elixir is perhaps the sweetest of the sweet wines in the world and it comes from Victoria, Australia.

White Chocolate

First off, White Chocolate is not actually chocolate, but it shows up in pairings all over the world. But, it can get sticky too, so maybe black napkins for contrast?

Since I’m showcasing wineries and other experts this week, here’s part of the explanation from Wine Folly:

“White chocolate tends to be more mellow and buttery in flavor, making it an ideal candidate for the sweeter styles of Sherry (consider Spain's rich, full-bodied Pedro Ximénez Sherry), and the sweet, subtle bubbles of Italy's Moscato d'Asti (check out Saracco's Moscato d'Asti), or opt for the heady aromas of an Orange Muscat…

White chocolate isn’t technically a “true” chocolate because it doesn’t contain cacao (the brown part with all the flavanols), but it ends up being one of the few chocolate-like sweets that will match with dry red wine! Woohoo!”

Partial List of Recommended Wines with White Chocolate

Pinot Noir: A shockingly good pairing, especially for chocolate and wine pairing disbelievers. The white chocolate acts as the fat that delivers sweet flavors of red cherries, strawberries, and raspberries found in the Pinot Noir. If you’re looking for a great alternative, check out Schiava.

Beaujolais: Another light-bodied red wine similar to Pinot Noir. The grape variety Gamay has a range of flavors depending on what Beaujolais Cru it’s from. For example, Saint-Amour delivers more red fruit and flower flavors whereas Morgon generally offers more black currant and blueberry flavors.

Ice Wine: Depending on the varieties used to make the ice wine (usually Riesling and Vidal Blanc), you’ll discover notes of pineapple, lemon meringue, and creamy candied oranges.

Rosé Port: This is the newest style of Port and offers rich flavors of sweet strawberries and currant. The minerality in this Port carries through, making it a sophisticated sweet match.

from https://winefolly.com/wine-pairing/what-wines-to-pair-with-chocolate/

A wine and chocolate tasting seems like an excellent way to spend Valentine’s Day to me. But, don’t forget to bring the Champagne and Roses. And, remember that fortified wines like Port and Sherry are significantly higher in alcohol than table wines so apportion them appropriately.

Enjoy!