How to Pair Wine and Chocolate Like A Pro

You had me at wine and chocolate … that’s what everyone says when mentioning this classic duo. But how do you know how to properly pair wine and chocolate like a pro? Read on and learn the tricks of sommeliers and chocolatiers to ensure you have the winning combination every time.

Universal Tips To Pairing Wine and Chocolate Like a Pro

To get started, consider these universal tips:

1. The sweetness of the chocolate should not overpower the sweetness of the wine and vice versa
2. Both wine and chocolate contain tannins. The darker the chocolate, the more tannins exist. For example, avoid pairing a tannin-heavy red wine and a tannin-rich dark truffle
3. While dark chocolate is healthier for you, the higher the cacao percentage the more chance of being too bitter with your wine
4. Consider selecting similar flavor notes in both the chocolates and wine
5. Dessert wines, despite being sweeter, can also complement chocolate nicely
6. Create a pretty wine and chocolate presentation with labels for each so you can easily choose your favorite combinations!

Chocolate And Wine Selections Matter

First, it’s important to consider your chocolate offering and pair it with the right wine. Is it a bitter, darker variety, sweet milk chocolate, creamy white chocolate, or unique ruby chocolate? The sweetness will help define which wines to complement your chocolate selections.

Consider offering a variety of high quality chocolates to dazzle your tastebuds. Chocolate House Venchi, for example, has a passion for chocolate, with over 140 years of experience in creating fine Italian chocolates. Founded in Turin, Italy, Venchi creates a large array of gourmet chocolates from only the finest ingredients, complementing any wine pairing. It now has over 135 shops worldwide and an online shop.

Next, it’s time to pick your wine. You can go to your local wine shop or head to Vivino — the largest online marketplace. Vivino makes buying top-rated wine simple, by using crowd sourced information to personalize wine recommendations make selections easy. With the most downloaded wine app, it’s no wonder Vivino is so popular with millions of wine drinkers.

Best Wines to Pair with Dark Chocolate

As a general rule, sweeter, richer wines pair best with dark chocolate due to its more bitter profile. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon is a more full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors like black cherry, blackberry, and black currant. thus pairing well with darker chocolates. Moreover, the sweeter, plum, and chocolatey notes of Merlot wine also complements dark chocolate nicely.

• Dark Chocolate: Pair it with wines, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
• Winning Chocolate/Wine Pairing: Try Venchi Chocoviar 75% Dark Chocolate ($13, us.venchi.com) and Terralsole Cordoro Merlot 2005 ($40, vivino.com)
• Winning Chocolate/Wine Pairing: Try vegan Hu Simple Dark Chocolate ($36, amazon.com) and Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon, ($34, vivino.com) or Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, ($68, vivino.com)
• Additional high quality dark chocolates variety boxes include Valrhona Instants Degustation Les Intense ($30, amazon.com) and Venchi Assorted Dark Chocolate ($42, us.venchi.com)

Best Wines to Pair with Milk Chocolate

Generally, milk chocolate pairs best with lighter red wines that have fruity, caramel notes, such as Pinot Noir. Creamy white wines, such as a Reisling, can also be balanced out by milk chocolates. Experiment to find out the winning combination you like best.

• Milk Chocolate: Pair it with a Pinot Noir, Gewurtztraminer or Reisling
• Creamy milk chocolate also pairs well with a sparkling wine
• Wining Milk Chocolate/Wine Pairing: Try Venchi Venezuela 47% Milk Latte Chocolate Bar ($10, us.venchi.com) and Belle Glos Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020 ($39, vivino.com)
• Winning Milk Chocolate/Wine Pairing: Try Neuhaus Belgian All Milk Chocolate Collection ($67, amazon.com) with top rated Smith-Madrone Winery Reisling 2017 ($38, Vivino.com)

Best Wines to Pair with White Chocolate

You don’t have to go to Champagne to enjoy delicious chocolate with Champagne. Since white chocolate is sweet and creamy, it works best with Champagne, sparkling wines and Moscato.

• White Chocolate: Pair it with Champagne, Prosecco, Moscato
• Winning White Chocolate/Wine Pairing: Try Venchi Cioccolato Bianco ($9, us.venchi.com) with Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne ($65, vivino.com)
• Winning White Chocolate/Wine Pairing: Milk Boy Swiss White Chocolate ($25, amazon.com) and Bartenura Moscato d’Asti ($15, vivino.com)

Best Wines to Pair with Ruby Chocolate

Finally, we have the newer chocolate on the block, Ruby Chocolate. This chocolate is dominated by flavor profiles such as raspberry, clove, pineapple, strawberry and cotton candy, and cinnamon. Due to the sweetness of this unique chocolate, it is best paired with Champagne or a Rose.

• Ruby Chocolate: Pair it with Champagne, Sparkling Rose or Rose Wine
• Winning Ruby Chocolate/Champagne Pairing: Chocolove Ruby Chocolate ($9, amazon.com) and Moet et Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne ($55, vivino.com)
• Winning Ruby Chocolate/Sparkling Rose Pairing: Flair Chocolatier Belgian Ruby Chocolate Set ($78, amazon.com) and Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose ($24, vivino.com)

Perfectly Pair Wine And Chocolate Like A Pro

Now you can feel confident creating your own fabulous wine and chocolate pairings. You will look like a pro with your guests, enjoy delectable chocolates of your choosing, and enjoy fine wines. Use your creativity and knowledge to put together an irresistible wine and chocolate evening! Cheers!