Wine? Good! Chocolate? Good! Together? A total minefield.
I posted recently here about the wine and chocolate pairing rules of thumb, so now here are some of my absolute favourite combinations to try.
First things first; choose proper chocolate. Not the cheap commercial stuff packed full of sugar, additives and with a very low cocoa content. I’m talking about the artisan chocolate that actually tastes of something (and doesn’t destroy the planet. Bonus). This is where the best pairings sit. I love The Chocolate Detective & Pump Street particularly. Try these!
Milk Chocolate + New World Pinot Noir
While Port is an obvious pairing, if you’re not into fortified wine, then a fruity, New World Pinot is an elegant choice. You’ll need chocolate that’s not too sweet.
CHOC: Pump Street Togo Swiss Milk 44%, £7.45, Pump Street
WINE: Toast & Honey California Pinot Noir 2022, £15.50 (£14 mix 6) Majestic
Dark Orange Chocolate + Tokaji
Both wine and chocolate share vibrant, zesty orange notes here balanced by sweetness and the Tokaji’s high acidity lift the richness of the chocolate.
CHOC: Dark Chocolate Orangettes, The Chocolate Detective, Jack Thompson
WINE: Royal Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2018 50cl, £33, The Wine Society
White Chocolate + Moscato
White ‘chocolate’ (yes, we know it’s not technically chocolate) is sweet, fatty, creamy and delicate, which makes it a natural match for the light, floral charm of Moscato.
CHOC: White Broken Chocolate with Foraged Fennel & Cardamom, The Chocolate Detective, £16.95 from Jack Thompson
WINE: Moscato Spumante Dolce, 7.5% £6.99, February Wine Tour in Store, Lidl
Dark Cherry Choc + Valpolicella Ripasso
Ripasso style wine is a little richer in flavour and alcohol and there’s often a hint of sweetness with its bright cherry notes. It’s a winner with dark cherry chocolate.
CHOC: Dark Broken Chocolate with Whole Sour Cherries, The Chocolate Detective, £16.95 from Jack Thompson
WINE: Domini Veneti ‘La Casetta’ Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, £21 (£18.50 mix 6) Majestic
Salted Caramel Chocolate + Tawny Port
Aged in oak, Tawny Port develops nutty, toffee-like, dried fruit flavours that mirror the caramel notes beautifully, while the salt draws out the wine’s complexity.
CHOC: Artisan Salted Caramel & Chocolate Ganache Seagull Eggs, £14.95 Jack Thompson
WINE: Cockburns 10 Year Old Tawny, £25.50, Sainsbury’s
Rose & Violet Creams + Amarone
With its floral perfume and silky sweetness and dark cocoa bite, both rose and violet creams pair remarkably well with the rich elegance of Amarone della Valpolicella.
CHOC: Rose & Violet Creams, The Chocolate Detective, £14.95, Jack Thompson
WINE: Amarone della Valpolicella, £9.99 Aldi
Dark Mint Choc + New World Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark mint chocolate, with its bittersweet depth and cooling herbaceous edge, is a striking match for a New World Cabernet from places like Chile & South Africa.
CHOC: Rococo Artisan Dark Chocolate Mint bar, £7.75, Jack Thompson
WINE: Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, £19.99 Laithwaites
Have you found a perfect pairing? Let me know!
Helena x