OK, let’s all agree that when it comes to things we really can’t (and won’t) live without, chocolate and wine both feature fairly high up on that list, no?
I mean; we are talking about two of the greatest things in existence, in fairness. But delicious as these two are on their own (and boy, are they delicious!), have you ever thought about putting them together? Yeah, neither did we until Marie Claire told us kindly how we have been missing out Big Time.
The theory here is that just like the way certain foods go better with certain wines – and vise versa – the same does, in fact, hold true for chocolate and wine.
Oh; the excitement. (I mean; we are SO going to have to try them all to find our favourite!)
According to the experts, here is what you should look for when it comes to pairing up your two favourite guilty pleasures with each other:
1. Chardonnay + White Chocolate (Or Chocolate Covered Fruit)
A nice chardonnay (or a sparkling wine) goes fantastic with white chocolate or a chocolate-covered fruit, like a chocolate orange or chocolate-covered strawberries. The crisp, citrus flavors let white chocolate shine—and fruit with fruit is kind of a no-brainer. Y-UM.
2. Pinot Noir + Snickers
We are actually mentally counting down hours until we can go home and try this tonight! According to the experts, any chocolate with nuts will pair well with an great Pinot Noir—meaning Snickers will be ideal. “The ripe, red fruit, lighter body, and silky tannins of a medium-bodied Pinot Noir works well with smooth milk or dark chocolate and nutty flavors,” a Josh Cellars wine expert explains. Other experts agree, claiming that the saltiness of the nuts bring out rich flavors from the Pinot.
3. Rosé Wine + Milk Chocolate Truffles
Sweet, but not sickeningly so, a rosé wine will pair well with dessert in general, but will apparently go especially well with milk chocolate. We’re sold!
4. Merlot + Hersey’s Kisses
The medium-bodied wine makes the perfect companion to Hershey’s kisses—melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
5. Cabernet Sauvignon + Dark Chocolate With Berries
We are salivating now… Big tannins in a Cabernet Sauvignon stand up to the semi-sweet bitterness of dark chocolate while the ripe, berry flavor of the wine is brought out by the tartness of the berries added to the chocolate.
Oh, and if you are feeling adventurous (and craving both chocolate and wine by now), here are some other combinations experts assure us are Out. Of. This. World:
1 Prosecco or Champagne + Caramel Chocolate
Caramel adds sweet salinity to chocolate, and will apparently compliment the bubbles in your Prosecco, Cava or Champagne beautifully. .
2. Sherry + Peanut Butter Cups
Yep. Peanut butter cups are serious business. With all nutty chocolates, such as almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts, look for a wine that accentuates the nutty flavors.
3. Zinfandel + Dark Chocolate
A true dark chocolate has a minimum of 35% cocoa solids, but the numbers get even higher than that. Zinfandel will not overpower the strong taste of the dark chocolate, and the two are said to be a perfect match.
Now, who feels like skipping dinner for wine and chocolate tonight?!
