Wine and Chocolate Pairings: A Guide to Perfect Decadent Indulgence

There are few pleasures in life as luxurious as pairing fine wine with decadent chocolate. The rich, complex flavors of both can create a match made in heaven—when paired correctly. However, wine and chocolate can be a tricky combination because both have strong personalities. If they clash, the flavors can become overwhelming or unbalanced. But when done right, the right wine enhances the chocolate’s depth, while the chocolate brings out hidden notes in the wine, making for a truly exquisite experience.

One way to explore these nuances is through chocolate tasting events, where participants can enjoy guided experiences led by professionals, often pairing different chocolate varieties with specific wine selections.

Whether you’re planning a romantic evening, a sophisticated gathering, or just treating yourself to something special, these five perfect wine and chocolate pairings will elevate your taste buds to new heights.

Before you start

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1. Dark Chocolate (70% Cocoa or Higher) & Cabernet Sauvignon

Why It Works:

Dark chocolate pairings are essential for enhancing the tasting experience, and selecting wines that complement the rich, intense flavors of dark chocolate is crucial. Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its bold tannins, dark fruit flavors, and subtle spice. When paired with dark chocolate, especially one with at least 70% cocoa, the intense flavors of both elements complement each other beautifully. The bitterness of the chocolate softens the tannins in the wine, making the drink smoother, while the wine enhances the chocolate’s natural richness.

Tasting Notes:

• Cabernet Sauvignon often has notes of blackberries, cherries, and hints of vanilla and oak.

• Darker chocolate provides deep cocoa flavors with an underlying bitterness that brings out the wine’s subtle sweetness. The rich flavors and higher cocoa content of darker chocolate pair exceptionally well with full-bodied wines like Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, creating a harmonious pairing that elevates both the chocolate and the wine.

Best Brands to Try:

• Chocolate: Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate, Valrhona Noir Guanaja

• Wine: Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags’ Leap Cabernet Sauvignon

2. Milk Chocolate & Pinot Noir

Why It Works:

Milk chocolate is creamy, smooth, and slightly sweet. When pairing wines with chocolates, it is important to start with lighter wines before progressing to heavier options. Pinot Noir, with its light body and bright acidity, balances the richness of milk chocolate without overpowering it. The red berry notes in Pinot Noir—such as raspberry, cherry, and strawberry—offer a delicious contrast to the milk chocolate’s sweetness.

Tasting Notes:

• Pinot Noir is often fruit-forward, with notes of red berries and a silky texture.

• Milk chocolate has creamy and caramel-like undertones that blend well with Pinot Noir’s gentle acidity.

Best Brands to Try:

• Chocolate: Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate, Godiva Milk Chocolate Bars

• Wine: Meiomi Pinot Noir, La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

3. White Chocolate & Riesling

Why It Works:

White wine, particularly sweet varieties like Riesling, is incredibly versatile and makes an ideal pairing for milk chocolate. White chocolate has a buttery, vanilla-like sweetness that pairs well with the crisp, fruity characteristics of Riesling. Riesling’s acidity and hints of citrus, honey, and stone fruits cut through the richness of white chocolate, creating a refreshing balance.

Tasting Notes:

• Riesling often showcases flavors of apricot, green apple, and floral notes.

• White chocolate has a creamy texture with sweet vanilla and buttery flavors that enhance the wine’s fruitiness.

Best Brands to Try:

• Chocolate: Lindt White Chocolate, Green & Black’s Organic White Chocolate

• Wine: Dr. Loosen Riesling, Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

4. Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt & Zinfandel

Why It Works:

Zinfandel is a bold, fruit-driven wine with peppery and jammy notes that create a natural pairing with the complex flavor profiles of dark chocolate with sea salt. The salt enhances the fruit flavors in the wine, while the chocolate’s slight bitterness balances the wine’s natural sweetness.

Tasting Notes:

• Zinfandel is known for its bold fruit flavors, including blackberry, plum, and black pepper.

• Dark chocolate with sea salt has an extra layer of depth that amplifies the Zinfandel’s sweet and spicy nature.

Best Brands to Try:

• Chocolate: Alter Eco Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt, Chocolove Strong Dark Chocolate with Almonds and Sea Salt

• Wine: Seghesio Zinfandel, Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel

5. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries & Sparkling Wine

Why It Works:

A classic pairing, chocolate-covered strawberries and sparkling wine create a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. Dessert wine, such as Banyuls or Moscato d'Asti, also pairs exceptionally well with various types of chocolate, enhancing the flavors of chocolate desserts. The effervescence of sparkling wine cleanses the palate after each bite of rich, sweet chocolate-covered fruit. Whether you choose Champagne, Prosecco, or Moscato, the bubbles and acidity enhance the freshness of the strawberries while complementing the chocolate’s sweetness.

Tasting Notes:

• Sparkling wines often feature citrus, green apple, and floral notes with a crisp finish.

• Chocolate-covered strawberries offer a sweet and tart combination with a creamy mouthfeel when paired with bubbly.

Best Brands to Try:

• Chocolate: Homemade Chocolate-Covered Strawberries, Godiva Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

• Wine: Moët & Chandon Brut Champagne, La Marca Prosecco, Barefoot Moscato Spumante

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Tips for the Perfect Wine & Chocolate Pairing

1. Match Intensity: Light chocolates pair well with light-bodied wines, while darker chocolates need bold, full-bodied wines.

2. Balance Sweetness: Your wine should be as sweet or slightly sweeter than your chocolate to avoid a bitter clash.

3. Consider Texture: Creamy chocolates (like milk and white) go well with wines that have a smooth, fruity profile, while bitter chocolates need wines with depth and structure.

4. Experiment: There are no strict rules! Try different combinations to find what suits your taste best.

5. Understand Pairing Nuances: Pairing wine with chocolate can be challenging due to their complex flavors. When pairing chocolate, consider the similarities between the two, such as being aphrodisiacs and containing flavanols. Dry red wines often clash with dark chocolate, so finding harmonious pairings is key. Explore different wine pairings to enhance your tasting experience, and don't hesitate to experiment with various wine pairings to discover your personal preferences.