Everything You Need to Know About Pairing Chocolate with Wine
It doesn’t have to be the sweetest day of the year—Valentine’s Day—to indulge in the extreme pleasure that is wine and chocolate. If there are two more perfect partners, then we’ve yet to make their acquaintance.
Take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey and delight in the chocolate and wine pairings we at Luigi Bormioli adore. Because chocolate can be sweet, bitter, acidic or fruity—or a tantalizing mix—you’ll want to choose your wine according to the chocolate’s color and intensity. Matching complementary flavors rather than contrasting flavors brings many soul-satisfying combinations.
White Chocolate + Unoaked Chardonnay
Technically not a chocolate because of the absence of cocoa, white chocolate still turns heads with its creamy texture and milk-like mild flavors. Pairing it with an unoaked Chardonnay allows this ivory confection to shine thanks to the wine’s crisp, green apple and fruity tastes. The Perfect Match: Our Crescendo Chardonnay.
Milk Chocolate + Merlot
This sweet treat isn’t basic; when done well, milk chocolate is smooth and creamy thanks to a tad less cocoa bean than dark chocolate and a good helping of milk solids, sugar and cream. Pairing with Merlot’s softer tannins and black and red fruit notes, plus its undertones of vanilla, gently cuts through chocolate’s creaminess, allowing sweet cocoa to come forward. The Perfect Match: Our Crescendo Bordeaux.
Milk Chocolate-Covered Fruit + Sparkling
Fresh fruits enrobed in tempting chocolate are a bit more complex and deserve the nuances found in a sparkling wine or champagne. Go for “brut,” which is dry with just a hint of sweetness, a bubbly-delicious companion to this sweet and dreamy dessert combo. The Perfect Match: Our Crescendo Champagne.
Dark Chocolate + Zinfandel
This popular chocolate isn’t always bitter—but it can be when the percentage of cocoa climbs. You nibble what suits your palate. Paired with red wine, it’s the healthy treats darling because of its antioxidant properties. Match it with a wine that can stand up to dark chocolate’s big personality: choose Zinfandel’s robust dark fruits and light spice. The Perfect Match: Our Crescendo Bordeaux.
Dark Chocolate with Nuts + Pinot Noir
Adding crunchy, earthy nuts to versatile dark chocolate brings depth and character. Pair it with Pinot Noir’s moderate tannins and crisp acidity to enhance those qualities. The wine boasts dark red fruits and some spice in the bouquet, making it this nutty bonbon’s ideal mate. The Perfect Match: Our Crescendo Bourgogne.
Dark Chocolate with Fruit + Cabernet Sauvignon
Encasing fruit in dark chocolate is a study in sweet and savory. It meets its match in Cabernet Sauvignon’s bold tannins, juicy black fruits, hints of vanilla and tobacco and oaky character. The flavors play off each other to create a spectacular finish. The Perfect Match: Our Crescendo Stemless.
Super Rich and Decadent Desserts
Think luscious molten lava cake, rich fondue, creamy torte or many sinful layers of double chocolate cake. Then, think a just-right sweet Ruby Port. This fortified wine is rich and red, with plum and berry notes and a bit of a kick at the end. Take a bite, take a sip—glorious. The Perfect Match: Our Crescendo Liqueur.
Serve in Style
You wouldn’t want your candies and desserts to feel upstaged by the wine presentation now, would you? You don’t have to worry, as our Crescendo Collection boasts a gorgeous 3-Bowl Set, and a Footed Cake Platter with Dome to graciously show off what you bring to the table. Our serveware is brilliantly beautiful and elegant enough for any entertaining need.
A Glass for Every Occasion
We’ve got a glass for every occasion—for every type of wine. We know when the moment matters, the glass matters, so we’ve created our stunning made-in-Italy stemware to exacting standards. Our Crescendo glasses are made with our proprietary SON.hyx to strengthen while keeping the glass brilliant, as well as our proprietary TITANIUM Reinforced stem to keep them strong and durable. Like all Luigi Bormioli products made with SON.hyx, they’re backed by our 25-year guarantee against chipping of the rim or foot, as well as any discoloration due to automatic dishwashing—up to 4,000 dishwashing cycles. They’re lead-free and eco-friendly, too.
Be prepared for Valentine’s Day or your next special occasion with timeless Luigi Bormioli stemware and serveware alongside a candy box bursting with your (and your special someone’s!) favorite confections. Salute!
At Luigi Bormioli, we take pride in our Italian-crafted, superior quality glassware. Your glasses, created using our proprietary SON.hyx ultra-clear formula, will retain their brilliant and transparent appearance and are backed by our 25-year guarantee that guards against chipping on the rim or foot, as well as discoloration or cloudiness resulting from washing. You will enjoy their beauty, durability and strength for many years to come. We aim to enhance your tabletop lifestyle and entertaining experience with a glass for every occasion. When the moment matters, the glass matters.