| As we approach Valentine's Day, thoughts turn | | | | chocolates with lighter-bodied wines and the |
| to wine and chocolate. Well, ok maybe we | | | | stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied |
| think of other things as well, but we do | | | | the wine should be. For example, a |
| think about giving chocolates. Wouldn't it be | | | | bittersweet chocolate pairs well with an |
| great to give chocolates and experience it | | | | intense California Zinfandel. |
| with a wonderful wine? | | | | |
| | | | Tip #3: If you are experimenting with several |
| Chocolate is not easy to pair. The general | | | | varities of chocolates, work from light to |
| rule with all pairings is the wine should be | | | | dark. Start with a more subtle white |
| sweeter than the food, and this applies to | | | | chocolate and end on a dark or bittersweet |
| chocolate as well. Otherwise the taste will | | | | chocolate. |
| be sour and the finish will be unpleasant. We | | | | |
| usually think of Champagne or a Red. But so | | | | White Chocolate Wine Suggestions |
| does everyone else and it seems outdated. | | | | |
| Plus the bubbles get in your nose and the red | | | | White chocolate tends to be more mellow and |
| can really ruin the whole experience since | | | | buttery in flavor, making it an ideal |
| there are more bad matches then good ones. | | | | candidate for a Sherry, a Moscato d'Asti, or |
| | | | an Orange Muscat. The Sherry and Moscato |
| You can't go wrong with a dessert wine or | | | | d'Asti will pick up the creaminess of the |
| port with fruity flavors high with residule | | | | chocolates and the Orange Muscat will pick up |
| sugars. If you don't like sweet wines, | | | | any fruit tones present. |
| Cabernets are a great alternative because a | | | | |
| lot of them have a hint of cocoa, along with | | | | Milk Chocolate Wine Suggestions |
| blackberries and spices. Make sure you don't | | | | |
| grab an oakey Cabernet though as you will be | | | | Pinot Noir or a lighter-bodied Merlot will |
| disappointed. The oak doesn't work well with | | | | complement a bar of milk chocolate, a creamy |
| the sweetness of the chocolate and makes a | | | | chocolate mousse or chocolate accented |
| bad match. | | | | cheesecake. Rieslings (like Chateau St Jean), |
| | | | Muscats or dessert wines tend to hold up well |
| Don't forget too that there isn't just one | | | | to mild milk chocolates. |
| type of chocolate. Dark, white, milk and | | | | |
| semi-sweet chocolates all have different | | | | Dark Chocolate Wine Suggestions |
| characteristics and require a wine that | | | | |
| stands on it's own to the chocolate. A full | | | | Dark or bittersweet chocolates need a wine |
| bodied Zinfandel might work well with dark | | | | that offers a roasted, slightly bitter flavor |
| chocolates while an orange fortified muscat | | | | itself, with perhaps a hint of its own |
| could work well with white chocolates. There | | | | chocolate notes. Cabs and Zinfandels have a |
| is no science to wine paring and the fun is | | | | history of perfecting the dark chocolate |
| in the experimentation. | | | | match, resulting in an unparalleled tasting |
| | | | combination. A Cabernet Sauvignon (try |
| Tips for Successfully Pairings Wines with | | | | Beringers Port) or a Zinfandel will more than |
| Chocolate | | | | fill your chocolate pairing expectations. |
| | | | |
| Tip #1: The wine needs to be at least as | | | | So for Valentines Day go out and buy some |
| sweet, if not a sweeter, than the chocolate | | | | chocolates, and a few bottles of wine, and |
| you are having. Otherwise, the taste may | | | | see what works. If nothing else you'll be |
| quickly turn towards sour. | | | | eating chocolate and drinking wine. Now |
| | | | that's a perfect pairing! |
| Tip #2: Match lighter, more elegant flavored | | | | |