Chocolate and Wine Pairings?

Hello everyone,

I'm really wondering what wines would be a good match for some gourmet dark chocolate bars. I love chocolate and wine, and I want to try pairing them together for some nice after-dinner relaxation. Any suggestions?

Basically, it's mostly the sweet stuff: port, sauternes (etc.), Maury, Banyuls.

Some dry reds work, esp. Cotes du Rhone.

Fizzy wines work.

However, even though I am a devoted wino, I'd prefer my chocolate with coffee or brandy.

Any tawny port.

Basically, it's mostly the sweet stuff: port, sauternes (etc.), Maury, Banyuls.

Some dry reds work, esp. Cotes du Rhone.

Fizzy wines work.

However, even though I am a devoted wino, I'd prefer my chocolate with coffee or brandy.

I'm with you, Jeff, but far better than Sauternes (which as a class leaves me cold for the most part) is Tokaji. A good 6 putts Tokaji pairs quite well with dark chocolate IMO.

Mark Lipton

The absolute best pairing I've ever found with dark chocolate is the Pisano EtXe Oneko Licor de Tannat, which is made in Uruguay. It is absolutely killer - the Tannat makes for a dessert wine that's extremely tannic, rich and mouth-coating, just like dark chocolate. In fact it tastes like liquid chocolate. I hope you can find a bottle near you!

[Robin Garr]

I'll echo Banyuls and its near-sibling Maury, both Grenache-based sweet reds from the French Pyrenees. The raspberry character of the Grenache makes an explosive combination with dark chocolate. Tawny Port, yes, good, too, although second to Banyuls for me. Sauternes with chocolate? I don't see that. Nor any dry wine I've ever tried. My opinions ... this particular pairing question is one of the most individually idiosyncratic there is.

I'm with you, Jeff, but far better than Sauternes (which as a class leaves me cold for the most part) is Tokaji. A good 6 putts Tokaji pairs quite well with dark chocolate IMO.

Agreed. I put the "(etc.)" in there to mean any sweet white but it could have been taken to just refer to the Bordeaux area wines (e.g., Monbazillac).

A good liqueur muscat.

I'll echo Banyuls and its near-sibling Maury, both Grenache-based sweet reds from the French Pyrenees. The raspberry character of the Grenache makes an explosive combination with dark chocolate. Tawny Port, yes, good, too, although second to Banyuls for me. Sauternes with chocolate? I don't see that. Nor any dry wine I've ever tried. My opinions ... this particular pairing question is one of the most individually idiosyncratic there is.

Concur. The Maury would be our preference, but Banyuls is a good substitute.

Melissa, I was wondering where I can pick up the Pisano EtXe Oneko Licor de Tannat. I'm actually quite the fan of Tannat, after tasting it in Uruguay, and though it's not my favorite grape, I'd really love to try out that liqueur. Do you know any reliable providers? That's the type of thing I might be willing to get shipped, since I can't seem to find it here.

And thanks to everyone for all the wonderful suggestions. So many to try now.

Melissa, I was wondering where I can pick up the Pisano EtXe Oneko Licor de Tannat. I'm actually quite the fan of Tannat, after tasting it in Uruguay, and though it's not my favorite grape, I'd really love to try out that liqueur. Do you know any reliable providers? That's the type of thing I might be willing to get shipped, since I can't seem to find it here.

And thanks to everyone for all the wonderful suggestions. So many to try now.

There is always a good supply here in Edmonton! $32 for half bottle, direct flight from LA too! Great match with chocolate mousse.
With Xmas fast approaching, think this tread (from the archive) will get some of us thinking when going to Auntie Mildred!
Have to agree with the Banyuls siggestion.

Edmund, what I am going to type isn't going to help much as you won't find it there, but maybe someday. Anyway, Chateau Grand Traverse used to make a cherry wine in a port a style that goes exceptionally well with dark semisweet chocolate. IMO it's a match made in heaven. I just looked at their web page http://www.cgtwines.com/wines_specialty.php and see only a cherry reserve and no port style. Maybe they don't make that now, or maybe they are just out of it right now. Call them at 1-800-283-0247.