This Valentine’s Day, while treating your sweetheart to a romantic evening of candles, flowers and “love coupons,” remember that there is only beverage that pairs with heart-shaped boxes of chocolate… Wine.
At WineCollective, we eat our mid-afternoon snack of brownies, cakes and cookies with a glass of wine to match. Of course, we love both chocolate and wine separately, but a spark of magic ignites when the two are combined. And well, aren’t we all looking to stir up a little fire this upcoming Friday?
There are a few general rules to remember when pairing wine with chocolate.
- To avoid a bitter taste, make sure the chocolate is never sweeter than the wine.
- Pair darker chocolate with darker reds.
- With white wines, looks for a buttery Chardonnay, Champagne or sparkling.
- Match flavours of wine with chocolate. Citrus notes, citrus cocoa.
- Choose wines that have soft and rounded tannins.
- When in doubt, choose Port or Sparkling!
In the last few WineCollective packages, we have featured some great wines that will perfectly pair with all flavours of chocolates and truffles. We’ve rounded up these V-day-inspired selections, along with their tastiest chocolate soul mate, for you and your special someone.
Please note that these pairings are not just for those in love. Those flying solo can also easily enjoy chocolate and wine… Arguably, even more.
2010 Anima Negra MUAC!
Mallorca, Spain
Callet, Manto Negre, Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine: This blend shows off some bright raspberry and strawberry notes with a faint trace of vanilla.
Chocolate: A chocolate raspberry truffle with red and black raspberry puree and chocolate ganache all covered in milk or dark chocolate.
2011 Flowers
Sonoma Coast, United States
Pinot Noir
Wine: Wild berries with a subtle earthiness on the palate.
Chocolate: Pair this wine with a simple and delicious chocolate mousse filling, wrapped in a milk chocolate shell.
2012 Pasión de Bobal Rosé
Valencia, Spain
Bobal
Wine: A smooth and balanced Rosé with notes of apricot, nectarine and wet stone.
Chocolate: Keep the Pasión coming with a white chocolate shell jammed with passion fruit filling.
Mauricio Lorca Fantasia
Mendoza, Argentina
Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
Wine: A sparkling wine to pair with a variety of treats. Fresh fruit with hints of graham cracker and toast.
Chocolate: Enjoy a vanilla and dark chocolate ganache in a white or milk chocolate shell.
2012 Mason Cloudberry
California, United States
Merlot, Malbec, Zinfandel, Petite Verdot, Petite Sirah
Wine: A blend made for chocolate with rich plum notes, a black tea finish and lovely integrated tannins.
Chocolate: Pair with a chewy chocolate and caramel centre wrapped in dark chocolate.
If you’ve already enjoyed the above bottles, here are the suggested chocolate and variety pairings that you should stick to.
Milk: Port, Sherry, Rose
Medium Dark: Pinot Noir, Port, Champagne, Merlot, Zinfandel
Dark: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Borolo, Zinfandel
Wine and chocolate pairings are a real treat for you, your valentine and your taste buds. Because WineCollective loves you so much, we invite you to use our Valentine’s Day coupon code: WCLOVESME, for $10 off store purchases. Many of the wines featured in this blog are still available for purchase!
Happy Valentine’s Day! <3