Perfect Match: Chocolate and Wine? The most important rules for enjoyment

Perhaps not surprising for pleasure lovers: even when pairing chocolate and wine, quality makes the difference. So instead of several pairings a week, it's better to go on a carefully considered culinary journey with selected products. And even though we'll give you lots of tips and tricks below, you should treat yourself to a wider selection of chocolates and wines. On the one hand, because it's just fun to try different delicacies. And on the other hand, because it often takes several delicious attempts to achieve the 'perfect match'.
 

What do you need for pairing?

Participants in our tastings already know this rule: the most important thing is water to neutralize ;-) . The basic equipment for your tasting is also:

• small pieces of your chosen chocolates
• White and red wine glasses (+ pouring glass if necessary)
• Glass of water + still water to neutralize
• if necessary, neutral white bread or cooked, unseasoned polenta
• Quiet
• Pen and piece of paper (for recording your observations)
• napkin
• Decoration (e.g. a pretty cocoa fruit shell )

In addition, it is advisable to avoid strong room scents, perfumes, strong hand cream, etc. on the day of pairing. This could be annoying when looking for the right pairing. It is also advisable not to consume any strong spices before the tasting in order to protect your taste buds.

Good preparation is also important for a tasting with pairing

What is the best way to pair?

#1 Take a small sip of the wine and taste carefully. How does the wine taste? What do you notice? Do you like him? Rinse with water.
#2 First break off a small piece of chocolate (pay attention to the snap ;-) -you can find out why this is important here ) and try it. If it generally tastes good, then add a larger piece. Very important: do not chew or swallow, just let it melt slowly on your tongue and spread throughout your mouth. Keep the chocolate in your mouth, don't swallow it!
#3 Now take a larger sip of wine and combine the chocolate with the wine in your mouth and taste carefully. Only then swallow the newly won combination.
#4 The perfect match? Now that you have an idea of ​​how well this combination fits together, you can repeat the whole thing or move on to the next potential pairing.
#5 If you move on to the next pairing, don't forget to rinse with a drink of water and/or have a piece of bread or polenta to neutralize.
By the way: You have discovered the 'perfect match' when it feels like a completely new, good taste experience. Ultimately, as always, the main thing is that you enjoy it. And another note on our own behalf: A good starting point for a great chocolate base for pairings are our curated chocolate boxes .

The “little black” among the pairings

Would you like to be on the safe side and not try so many different wines and chocolates right away? Then there is an easy way to get around this. Chocolate and sweet wines such as Gewürztraminer, port wines, ice wines or even a craft beer (especially porter, stout or something fruity) always go well with chocolate (actually). No matter whether white chocolate, milk chocolate , dark chocolate or even 100% chocolate.
There is only one important rule: the wine should be sweeter than the chocolate.
Would you like to find out more about pairings? Here we have summarized the 7 most persistent myths about wine and chocolate for you.

Header photo by Kym Ellis on Unsplash