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Get Into the “Spirit” of Halloween with a Chocolate and Wine Pairing

Enjoying a delicious piece of chocolate or a nice glass of wine are two of life’s greatest pleasures, and the experience can even be more pleasurable by pairing the right chocolate with the right wine enhancing the flavor of both. Halloween is the perfect time for a chocolate and wine pairing since chocolate plays a big role in the season, coming in as the top Halloween treat. Although not your typical halloween party, it’s a unique and fun way for adults (21 and over) to get into the ‘spirit” and celebrate the iconic holiday.

 

So what chocolate and wine are best paired together? To help you take some of the guesswork out, our friends at the National Confectioners’ s Association have provided their suggested wine and chocolate pairings. You’ll soon feel confident pairing some of your favorites! 

White Chocolate

Types of Wine 

CLASSIC: Sparkling wine, Riesling, Muscat, Sherry

BOLD: A light (Pinot Noir) or medium-bodied (Chianti or Sangiovese) red wine with heavy tannins


Pairing Notes

Creamy and mellow, white chocolate has no cacao solids, and therefore possesses a sweet, buttery flavor. It’s made only from cocoa butter, milk, sugar and vanilla. Dry bubbles contrast with the creaminess of white chocolate. A wine heavier on tannins may be preferred by those who find the buttery taste of white chocolate too much.

Milk Chocolate 

Types of WIne 

CLASSIC: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chianti 

BOLD: A less well-known variety of wine, like Lambrusca

Wines with more intense jam notes, like a Zinfandel, may be better with darker milk chocolates. 


Pairing Notes

Milk chocolate must contain at least 10% cocoa mass and 12% milk solids  but it may contain much more cocoa mass. Keep the sweetness of your chocolate in mind and select a wine with a similar level of sweetness. 

Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Types of Wine

CLASSIC: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chianti

BOLD: Tawny Port 


Pairing Notes

While both semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolate are commonly referred to as “dark” chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate may have a slightly lower cacao percentage and slightly more sugar. Look to pair semi-sweets with robust red wines. A nutty port will highlight many intrinsic flavor notes of the chocolate.

Bittersweet Chocolate 

Types of Wine

CLASSIC: Same as above, plus Malbec, Shiraz, Bordeaux, Vintage Port 

BOLD: Orange Muscat


Pairing Notes

Look for chocolates with a cacao percentage higher than 70 percent if you’d like to include a bittersweet chocolate in your tasting. You may pair bitter dark chocolates with deeply robust wines, or try the intense fruit notes of something like an orange muscat to enhance any fruity notes in the chocolate.

Chocolate with Caramel / Toffee

Types of Wine

CLASSIC: Madeira, Tawny Port 

BOLD: Dry Sherry


Pairing Notes

The caramel, toffee and nut flavors inherent in both of our safe selections will enhance the chocolate. A dry sherry may be preferred for salted caramels.

Chocolate with Fruits

Types of Wine

CLASSIC: Cabernet Sauvignon, Madeira, Merlot 

BOLD: Ice wine


Pairing Notes

If you’re choosing to pair similar flavor notes, you’ll want to choose a wine with a strong fruit nose like cherry or fig. Because fruit-filled or dipped chocolates may be very sweet, you can safely pair them with sweeter white wines.

Chocolate with Nuts

Types of Wine

CLASSIC: Tawny Port, Cream Sherry, Cabernet Sauvignon

BOLD: Amontillado Sherry


Pairing Notes

Tawny ports are generally quite nutty and will make a good match for most nuts. Cream sherry pairs well with hazelnuts. Try pairing the amontillado with chocolate and peanut butter concoctions.

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