How to Pair Wine and Chocolate Like a Pro

Wine and chocolate, two of life’s most delightful pleasures, can create unforgettable moments when combined. But discovering the perfect wine to go with chocolate isn’t always easy. When done well, a fantastic chocolate and wine pairing can enhance both flavours and surprise your taste buds in wonderful ways. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening, a tasting party, or just indulging yourself, this guide will help you become a pro at wine and chocolate pairing.

Why Pair Wine and Chocolate?

Wine and chocolate are both rich, multi-layered treats. They each contain a variety of natural compounds, tannins, flavonoids, acids, and sugars. When paired well, these elements can work beautifully together, enhancing sweetness, softening bitterness, and uncovering new aromas and flavours. But a word of warning: a poorly chosen pairing can sometimes bring out unwanted bitterness or overpower the more delicate notes. Keep reading to find out how to avoid this. 

How to Pair Wine with Chocolate

Pairing wine with chocolate isn't as daunting as it might seem. Just a few simple tips, and you’ll find combinations that are both fun and unexpectedly delicious.

What Makes a Great Wine and Chocolate Pairing?

A good pairing is all about balance. The trick is to match the sweetness, intensity, and flavours of your chocolate and wine so they complement each other.

• Sweet wine generally works best with sweet chocolate.
• Match lighter chocolates with lighter wines, and bolder chocolates with richer wines.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment, everyone’s taste buds are different!

Simple Rules for Matching Wine and Chocolate

When you’re just starting with wine and chocolate pairing, a few simple guidelines can help things along.

First, aim to pick a wine that’s as sweet as, or slightly sweeter than, the chocolate you’re enjoying. This way, you avoid any unpleasant bitterness or sourness overshadowing the flavours.

Next, consider the intensity of both your wine and your chocolate. Light chocolates, such as white or milk, pair best with lighter, fruitier wines, while darker, more robust chocolates tend to complement richer reds.

Lastly, keep an eye on any additional flavours in your chocolate, like nuts, fruit, or spices, as these can inspire some creative pairing choices and make the whole experience even more enjoyable.

Tips for First-Time Pairing

• Try a few combinations side by side to see what you like best.
• Taste from lightest to darkest chocolate to keep your palate fresh.
• Keep it simple and have fun. There are no strict rules!

Chocolate Wine Pairing by Chocolate Type

Each chocolate has its unique charm, and choosing the right wine to pair with it can elevate the experience from good to unforgettable. Let's share some handy tips on how to match different types of chocolates for a delightful tasting journey.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is rich, bold, and slightly bitter, often containing at least 50% cacao or more. Its deep, complex flavours and subtle tannic edge make it a perfect partner for wines that are equally robust and a touch sweet. The intensity of dark chocolate pairs particularly well with fortified wines and full-bodied reds that have enough fruity notes to balance out the bitterness.

Dark Chocolate Best Wine Pairings:

• Port (Ruby or Tawny): This traditional Portuguese fortified wine is rich, sweet, and full-bodied. Its natural sweetness balances the bitterness of dark chocolate and highlights deep berry and dried fruit flavours.
• Zinfandel: Renowned for its vibrant fruity flavours, hints of peppery spice, and medium to high tannins, Zinfandel pairs particularly well with dark chocolate, especially those with a bit of spice or higher cacao content.
• Banyuls (French fortified wine): Banyuls is a sweet red wine from the South of France, often likened to "chocolate in a glass." Its rich, jammy flavours complement and bring out the bittersweet tones of dark chocolate beautifully.
• Cabernet Sauvignon: This rich red wine is packed with bold black fruit flavours and has a firm structure thanks to its tannins. It pairs wonderfully with dark chocolate desserts that contain a touch of cream or fat to soften any sharp edges.
• Malbec: Malbec’s rich dark fruit flavours, with subtle hints of cocoa and spice, make it a perfect match for dark chocolate, especially those with 60-70% cacao.

Curious about sweeter reds and how they work with chocolate or dessert?

👉 Don’t miss our "Sweet Red Wine Guide: How to Choose, Serve & Pair Like a Pro" to unlock even more delicious pairing ideas.

Milk Chocolate

Milk chocolate is creamy, sweet, and quite mild, usually containing less cacao and more sugar and milk compared to dark chocolate. Its smooth, mellow taste makes it a lovely match for wines that are soft, fruity, and not too tannic. Sweeter reds and some dessert wines work particularly well, enhancing the gentle cocoa flavours without overpowering the palate.

Milk Chocolate Best Wine Pairings:

• Ruby Port: This classic Portuguese fortified wine offers juicy red fruit flavours and a satisfying sweetness that beautifully complements milk chocolate’s creamy richness.
• Merlot: With its soft tannins and notes of plum, cherry, and cocoa, Merlot is a gentle red that enhances milk chocolate’s smooth texture without adding any bitterness.
• Brachetto d’Acqui: A lightly sparkling, sweet red wine from Italy, Brachetto d’Acqui has raspberry and rose flavours that pair perfectly with milk chocolate, especially when it has fruit or floral fillings.
• Riesling (off-dry): Off-dry Riesling brings a lively touch of sweetness and crisp acidity, creating a playful contrast that keeps milk chocolate tasting fresh and light.
• Lambrusco: This Italian sparkling red is fruity, fizzy, and refreshing. Its gentle bubbles and berry flavours are a fun, palate-cleansing partner for milk chocolate’s creamy mouthfeel.

Want to explore more refreshing and food-friendly pairings?

👉 Check out our guide on "Types of Rosé Wine: Expert Tips for Choosing and Enjoying the Best Bottles" for everything you need to know about picking the perfect rosé.

White Chocolate

Although technically not "real" chocolate since it doesn’t contain cocoa solids, white chocolate's buttery, sweet, and vanilla-rich flavours make it a treat in its own right. It pairs excellently with wines that are aromatic, lightly sweet, and refreshing, think sparkling, floral, or fruity varieties that balance its richness.

White Chocolate Best Wine Pairings:

• Moscato d’Asti: This softly sparkling Italian wine is sweet, floral, and refreshing, with lovely notes of peach and apricot. Its bubbles and vibrant fruitiness contrast with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate.
• Ice Wine: Ice wine is sweet and concentrated, with flavours of honey, citrus, and tropical fruits. Its rich, luxurious sweetness complements the buttery, creamy notes of white chocolate.
• Pinot Noir: While it's not sweet, a light, fruity Pinot Noir can offer a contrast, with its red berry flavours that lift the richness of white chocolate, particularly if you're pairing it with berries or other fruit.
• Sweet Riesling: A sweet Riesling brings floral aromas, gentle acidity, and notes of stone fruit that echo and enhance the smooth, vanilla flavours of white chocolate.

If you love white wines with a touch of sweetness, discover new favourites in our list of the "10 Best Sweet White Wines To Try: Types, Tasting Notes & Perfect Pairings".

Flavoured Chocolates (Nuts, Fruit, Caramel, Mint, etc.)

Chocolates filled or flavoured with ingredients like nuts, dried fruit, caramel, or mint open up even more pairing options. These added ingredients bring extra complexity and can complement wines that echo or emphasise their flavours.

Flavoured Chocolate Best Wine Pairings:

• Madeira or aged Sherry (for nutty chocolates)
• Sparkling wines or Brachetto d’Acqui (for fruit-filled chocolates)
• Tawny Port or Moscatel (for caramel chocolates)
• Syrah or Shiraz (for mint chocolates)
• Sweet red blends (for chocolate with ginger or spices)

Step-by-Step: How to Pair Chocolate and Wine

Pairing chocolate with wine at home is easier than you think! Just follow these simple steps to find combinations you’ll love:

1. Pick Your Chocolates: Begin by selecting a few favourite types, such as white, milk, and dark chocolates. Feel free to include some flavoured options with nuts, fruits, or caramel to make it even more exciting.
2. Select Your Wines: Gather a variety of wines with different sweetness and body. Include both red and white wines, plus a sparkling or dessert wine if desired.
3. Taste in Order: Begin with the lightest chocolate (white), paired with the lightest wine. Move step by step to milk chocolate, then finish with dark or bold-flavoured chocolate and the richest wine.
4. Cleanse Your Palate: Drink some water and have a plain cracker or piece of bread between each pairing. This lets you fully appreciate each combination without flavours overlapping.
5. Pay Attention to Flavours: Notice how the chocolate and wine beautifully complement each other. Do you find that the pairing reveals exciting new flavours? Does it make the taste smoother or more intense?
6. Write Down Your Favourites: Keep a small note of your favourite combos. It helps you remember them easily next time or share with friends!
7. Relax and Experiment: There are no strict rules at all! Enjoy experimenting with different pairings and trust your taste buds!

Conclusion

Exploring wine and chocolate pairing is a delightful way to enjoy two classic treats. With a few simple tips, you can uncover some truly delicious combinations, like red wine and chocolate, that bring out the best in both. Give it a go, trust your taste buds, and enjoy the sweet results!

FAQ

1. Can you pair red wine with chocolate?

Absolutely! Red wine and chocolate are a classic combo, but it’s worth choosing a wine that's not too dry or tannic; otherwise, it can make the chocolate taste a bit bitter. Sweeter reds or those with softer tannins, like Ruby Port, Zinfandel, or Merlot, work really well with chocolate.

2. Why does wine sometimes taste bitter with chocolate?

Both wine and chocolate contain tannins and other natural compounds. When paired without much thought, especially dry reds with dark chocolate, the tannins can make the bitterness seem even stronger. To avoid this, try choosing a wine that’s a touch sweeter than your chocolate, or go for creamier desserts to help mellow the flavours.

3. Is it possible to pair white wine with chocolate?

Yes! Many white wines, particularly those that are off-dry or sweet, such as Moscato, Riesling, or Ice Wine, pair beautifully with white or milk chocolate. Their floral and fruity notes bring out the creamy, sweet flavours in these chocolates.

4. What wines go best with chocolate desserts that have nuts, fruit, or caramel?

Flavoured or filled chocolates offer even more pairing options. Nutty chocolates pair beautifully with Madeira or Sherry, while fruity chocolates complement sparkling wines or Brachetto d’Acqui. Caramel-filled chocolates pair especially well with Tawny Port or Moscatel, and mint chocolates complement a bold Syrah or Shiraz beautifully.