Wine and chocolate make the perfect pair. And like any wine pairing, some chocolates pair best with specific types of wine. The team at Oeno Winemaking in Kailua, HI, share with you some of the pairing rules for wine and chocolate. If you follow these rules, serving guests will be easier, and the pairings will be tastier.

4 Rules for Wine & Chocolate Pairings

Keep Your Wine Sweeter Than the Chocolate

Wine that’s sweeter than your chocolate is always a great option when it comes to pairings. Low tannin red wines, like Merlot, pair well with dark chocolate and will almost always pair well with whichever chocolate you choose. If you are a white wine fan, stick to late harvest Rieslings with fruity and floral notes to balance well with the chocolate. Champagne and chocolate are a classic combination, and sweet, sparkling wines, including Prosecco and Moscato, are also an excellent choice. Make sure you let the sparkling wine warm up to the room temperature, so you don’t disrupt the smooth chocolate texture.

Choose Dessert Wines

You really can’t go wrong with a dessert wine and chocolate pairing. And dessert wines from Spain or Portugal are some of your best bets. Choose from sherry and cream sherries from Spain or sweet Portuguese Madeira and rich, barrel-aged Port. These dessert wines are fortified with sweet spirits, and this combination pairs well with semi-dark chocolates made up of about 60% cacao.

Keep to Classic Combinations

There is a reason some combinations are so classic—they just taste right together! You'll never fail with Cabernet Sauvignon and an extra dark chocolate; a Port with a semi-dark; a bright, sparkling Moscato with milk chocolate; and a sweet, late-harvest Riesling with white chocolate.

Create a Complementary Platter

When serving your chocolate and wine pairings, consider putting out a platter full of complementary tastes and combinations. Almonds, dried cherries, salted caramels, and dried apricots all pair well with chocolate and wine. By including these on a platter, you can sample and taste the rich, full flavors brought out by the mix of all the elements.

If you’re looking for more chocolate and wine pairing ideas or you want to create and bottle your own wine, contact the winemaking experts at Oeno Winemaking today. Call (808) 263-6366 for a wine tasting reservation, or visit the website to learn more about the winery, personalized wine, and the wine club.