Fermentations - Wine pairings with chocolate

Many people have not experienced the wonderful taste experience of pairing wines with chocolates. This is a great pastime for casual wine drinkers who are looking to increase their wine knowledge. True oenophiles know their favorite combinations and always have a supply on hand to honor their guests with a special “something” following a lunch or dinner. 
 
The wine should be at least as sweet, if not sweeter than, the chocolate you are serving. If the wine is less sweet than the chocolate, the taste may quickly veer towards sour.
 
When pairing wines with chocolate, your best bet is to match lighter flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be. For example, a bittersweet chocolate tends to pair well with a Zinfandel.
 
Similar to “formal” wine tasting, if you will be experimenting with several varieties of chocolates, work from light to dark. Start with a more subtle white chocolate and end on a dark or bittersweet chocolate.

For proper wine etiquette in serving, make sure to use small dessert wine glasses (instead of full sized wine glasses) for Sherries and Ports. A smaller portion of regular, unfortified wine may be served in full sized wine glasses.
 
White Chocolate Wine Suggestions
White chocolate tends to be more mellow and buttery in flavor, making it an ideal candidate for a Sherry, a Moscato d'Asti, from Italy’s Piedmont region that offers a hint of carbonation, or an Orange Muscat. The Sherry and Moscato d’Asti will pick up the creaminess of the chocolates and the Orange Muscat will pick up any fruit tones present. Try all of them to see which one fits your taste buds the best.
 
Milk Chocolate Wine Suggestions
Pinot Noir or light Merlot will compliment a bar of milk chocolate, a creamy chocolate mousse or chocolate accented cheesecake. Rieslings and Muscats hold up well to mild milk chocolates.  Again, try all of them to see which is your favorite pairing. Most ports will also go well with milk chocolate.

Dark Chocolate Wine Suggestions
Dark or bittersweet chocolates need a wine that offers a roasted, slightly bitter flavor itself, with perhaps a hint of its own chocolate notes. Cabernets and Zinfandels have a history of perfecting the dark chocolate match, resulting in an unparalleled tasting combination.  A Cabernet Sauvignon or a Zinfandel will more than fill your chocolate pairing expectations.
 
Working out this food pairing can be a really fun activity for guests who love wines and chocolates. By offering several alternatives and asking each person’s opinion on the pairings, you provide your guests with a treat for the taste buds and stimulate great conversation. 

Next time: Navigating wine lists

Chuck Blethen, Vigneron in Residence, Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard, Marshall NC