There’s no sweeter combination than wine and chocolate—when paired correctly that is.
Erica Crouse, a certified sommelier, shares a standard rule when it comes to the perfect combination: wine should generally be lighter than chocolate, otherwise it will have an astringent taste. This applies to all kinds of desserts, from cakes and pastries to biscuits and sweets. But when it comes to chocolate, Croes’ advice is especially important because it offers a wide variety of chocolates, from white milk chocolate to dark chocolate and its types. Chocolate dessert From decadent truffle to flake cake and more. A top-notch selection of brands like La Maison du Chocolat always enhance the dating experience. As French chocolate celebrates the start of the Advent calendar each year, wine lovers can enjoy its soft dark truffles all year round.
Now that you know what to look for as a couple, you are ready to organize the perfect holiday gift for the wine and chocolate enthusiasts in your group or for any form of sweet, gourmet or oenophile. We have collected 6 examples of wine and chocolate pairs that you can buy individually and create personalized boxes, as well as 5 gift boxes for those who prefer one-stop shopping.
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Prosecco & Milk Chocolate
Since milk chocolate belongs to the sweet end of the chocolate spectrum, it slightly eliminates the persistent aftertaste (both in texture and in the batter). Enore Ceola, CEO of Freixenet-Mionetto, says a classic combination in Italy is Baci milk chocolate with a hazelnut center and Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut, which offers a crunch to refresh the palate. Wine: $ 15, drizly.com, chocolate: $ 22.90, market.com
Chardonnay & White Chocolate
The layers of white peach, pear and toasted walnuts found in The Cutrer Vineyard 2019 Chardonnay perfectly complement the white chocolate, especially this Blanc Frissonnant bar, textured with crispy puffed rice and a subtle vanilla flavor. Wine: $35, sonomacutrer.com, Chocolate: $15, lamaisonducchocolat.com
Pinot Noir & Dark Chocolate
With a delicate smoke and delicious tones of bursting black cherries, Kenwood Vineyards Discoveries 2017 Monterey Pinot Noir resists the bitter taste of dark chocolate, more than 70 percent dark chocolate to be exact. Try a variety of dark chocolates for a 70 percent difference versus an 85 percent treat on the palate (and conveniently wrapped in gift format). Wine: $ 15, drizly.com, chocolate: .9 24.95, godiva.com
Pinot Noir & Flavored Truffles
The ripe berry brands found in Böen Pinot Noir elegantly complement the various flavors of chocolate found in gift boxes at this time of year. Try this selection of flavored truffles, which include caramel truffles and pulp. Wine: 24 USD, boenwines.com, Chocolate: 77 USD, lamaisonduchocolat.com
Cabernet Sauvignon & Cocoa Truffles
When you have delicate, cocoa-coated truffles, the Rich Nappa Cabin is the perfect choice. Intense cocoa can often dry out the taste, but this is where a sip of ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 contains spices and tannins that complement the long-lasting cocoa powder. Wine: $75, stagsleapwinecellars.com, Chocolate: $42.90, neuhauschocolates.com
Port & Extra Dark Chocolate
Celebrated as a dessert wine, port is sometimes considered a dessert in itself. But it is also an ideal accessory for bitter chocolate. Try combining Ramos Pinto, Quinta Do Bom Retiro 20 Year Tawny Port with a bar of 85% pure cocoa. Take a sip of port wine after a bite and discover how the liquid in the chocolate produces sweetness. Port: $ 67.99, vivino.com, chocolate: kellermannichocolate.com
Now that you have some ideas on how to combine the selection of the most popular wines with the most popular chocolates, here are five gift sets that combine the most unique offers.
Build Your Own Gift Box with Something Splendid
This premium gift box company is known for their pre-curated gift sets for any occasion, but they also offer a database of hundreds of unique items to create your own parcel. Pair brand name wine cups like Corkcicle with a bottle stopper, wine gummies, MAST chocolate bars and Sugarfina champagne bubbles for a well-rounded wine and chocolate bounty. From $42, somethingsplendidco.com
DLISH French Wine Gift Box
This year, Milan-based curator Rare Global Gifts expanded its product line to the United States and, as a result, launched two new Signature gift set collections. The NoLo collection includes a gift box of French wines including Bordeaux, two Ichendorf Milano wine glasses and three Cadesio Swiss chocolate bars. The gift not only symbolizes Europe’s finest wines and chocolates, it also evokes a sense of travel in fearless friends who wish to purchase them. $243, dlish.us
Virtual Wine and Chocolate Pairing
Bouchaine Vineyards in Napa Valley offers a 50-minute virtual wine and chocolate fusion where different wines affect the flavor of the chocolate and vice versa. Take this tasting as a gift and your recipient will receive an up-to-date bottle of Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Bouchaine Vineyards and Woodhouse Chocolates’ artisan chocolate, which they will enjoy together during the virtual live tasting. 160 USD, bouchaine.com
CocoTutti Wine Box
To satisfy your white or red palate, Coco Titi has it. Choose from Cabernet or Tres Red Wine Box ($ 125, cocotutti.com), which combines whole red wine with a range of special CocoTutti chocolates, such as the CocoQuintet bar and 40-piece minis, or champagne and Go to Chardonnay . Winebox (135 USD, cocotutti.com) for double fun – two bottles of wine and unique aromas of CocoQuintet chopsticks, such as almond butter with cinnamon.
Harry & David Chocolate Treasure Box
Harry & David’s selections have become synonymous with gourmet gift boxes. The renowned food company presents a number of chocolate and wine-oriented, pre-curated boxes but the Chocolate Treasure Box with Wine is truly all-inclusive for an all-out splurge. Choose one bottle or two bottles of wine to accompany chocolate-covered-everything, including mints, truffles, pretzels and even cake. From $89.99, harryanddavid.com
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