How to Enjoy Wine with CHOCOLATE

To pair wine with chocolate, the wines should be at least as sweet, if not a touch sweeter, than the chocolate being served. Otherwise, the taste of the wine may quickly become tart. When pairing chocolate with wine, your best bet is to match lighter, milder chocolate with lighter-bodied wines, just as you would with food. Likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the higher the percentage of cocoa, the more full-bodied the wine should be. Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine, offers the following wine with chocolate parings.

Wine Suggestions - for White Chocolate

White chocolate tends to be mellow and buttery in flavor, making it an ideal candidate for a Moscato or champagne pairing.

Wine Suggestions - for Milk & Dark Chocolate

Mild milk chocolates are flattered by dessert wines and Late Harvest Rieslings. Offer one of these with a milk chocolate bar, a creamy chocolate mousse or chocolate-accented cheesecake. Darker milk chocolate is complemented by Port, Pinot Noir or a light-bodied Merlot.

Wine Suggestions - Semisweet or Bittersweet Chocolate

Semisweet or bittersweet dark chocolates need to be enjoyed with a robust wine. A Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Zinfandel will explode with flavor alongside a dark-chocolate brownie, layer cake or truffles. Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are also thought to possess a subtle chocolate note that will enhance the enjoyment of the chocolate dessert.