Wine + Chocolate = Love?
In my tenure pouring wine at events and in tasting rooms, I’ve heard much ado made about wine and chocolate pairings. Nothing was more frustrating for me than to pour a luscious Cabernet Sauvignon (perfectly delightful on its own), only to be met with exclamations of “Oh do you sell any chocolates? This would be so much better with a good dark chocolate!”
You could call me a wine and chocolate skeptic. Nearly all of my wine and chocolate pairing efforts have been less than successful, although a particularly tasty bottle of Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon from Moondance Cellars was delightful with dark chocolate, last time I checked. However, more often than not, I want my $65 bottle of wine to be savored with close friends and no other distractions. I don’t need a shiny chocolate bar to enjoy a glass (or two) of wine.
However, I suspect I’m missing out on something. After all, you wouldn’t hear so much hype about wine with chocolate unless there was a certain element of magnificence in their pairing, right?
Enter Petits Noirs, a boutique chocolatier located right here in the Walla Walla Valley that specializes in creating unique chocolates inspired by the many complex flavors of local wines. They’ve taken much of the trial and error out of wine and chocolate pairing (thank you!) Visit their online boutique to see some of their amazing creations and pairing suggestions. If you live in Oregon, you can also order online.
Tina Caputo has documented the wine and chocolate dilemma it in her recent article, Pairing Wine & Chocolate: The Agony and the Ecstasy. She recommends taking wine and chocolate on a “blind date.” Select 5 wines, 5 chocolates, and 5 friends (this is one blind date where your friends ARE invited), then let the mix-and-matching begin – you might even discover a perfect match.
Where are you at in your wine and chocolate journey?
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February 5th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Our winery is offering a Wine & Chocolate Pairing class presented by Lan from Petits Noirs just in time for Valentine’s Day! Visit our website for more information and sign up today!