07/09/2022
Happy Chocolate day!
Does chocolate go well with wine?
Maybe it may sound bizarre, but chocolate and wine can be very nice friends. In fact, I think they can be also companions, partners in crime, and even soulmates…they just need their other half to make a great paring which can be mindblowing.
How can you have an amazing wine- chocolate pairing? Easy! All you have to do is trying to make a balance between style, flavor intensity and sweetness. You may also have in mind that extra ingredients in the chocolate like almonds, peanut or raisins can either increase or decrease and even neutralize the sensation left by the wine.
Here are some pairings ideas:
1. Silky, velvety, and soft wines are chocolate's best friend.
Both wine and chocolate can have intense, dry flavors. When you put together a dark, bittersweet chocolate with a powerful red wine that's high in tannins, the two can be overwhelming on the palate. In order to find the right balance, it's best to choose wines that are a little bit softer and juicier than the chocolate you're pairing it with.
2. Find the perfect sweet spot.
While it might sound counterintuitive, a wine that is "sweeter" than the chocolate itself actually works quite well. And when we say "sweet", we're not referring to dessert wines alone. In the wine world, the term "sweet" is sometimes used to denote ripe, fruit-forward flavors in a wine. These characteristics provide a nice balance to the bitter flavors of cocoa.
3. Match similar intensities.
When in doubt, pair chocolates and wines that have a similar style and weight. Less intensely-flavored chocolates go well with lighter-bodied wines, while chocolates with more intense flavors can stand up to fuller-bodied wines.
4. Taste from light to dark.
Just as you would with any other tasting, it's best to start with light chocolates and wines, increasing the intensity as you go along. Start with white chocolates and light wines and save the richest, dark chocolates and wines for last.
5. Consider any other ingredients.
If your chocolate contains other ingredients such as nuts, fruit, or caramel, consider how these flavors will play with the wine. For example, a chocolate studded with dried cranberries might pair well with a fruit-forward red with berry undertones.
Let’s celebrate this making the perfect match of wine and a piece of chocolate according to your personal likings.
Are you up to raise your glass 🍷 and also your chocolate bar 🍫?
Photo by Pexels.
Source: eataly.com