Chocolate and Wine

September 13th is International Chocolate Day. This isn't just a national holiday, but a worldwide one so it's important to celebrate!

This begs the question: What wine with chocolate? Of course these things are never easy. Dark or milk chocolate, for instance?

You have to be careful because too sweet of a wine can make the chocolate taste sour. The darker the chocolate the more likely it will pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon. For milk chocolate try a lighter red, Muscat or a sparking wine. Of course, there's always Port especially with milk chocolate. White chocolate? That ain't even real chocolate so who cares?

Once you start adding things to your chocolate that will change the matching. Chocolate and caramel try a Sauterne or Tokay (sweet white wine). With coffee flavors you're moving into a Sherry. Fruit flavors, such as cherry, strawberry, and blueberry, you're back with Cabernet or Port. Chocolate with nuts is a Sherry or maybe Cabernet.

See, this is difficult and it will take a lot of experimentation on your part to see what works best for you. So get started!