| Pairing chocolate with wine is more than just a treat—it’s an experience. At The Chocolate Room, we believe the best pairings don’t just complement each other; they create something entirely new, unlocking flavors in both the chocolate and the wine that burst with unexpected surprises! While there’s no strict formula, certain wine styles and varieties naturally enhance specific chocolate flavors. We typically pair like flavors together. Deep berry wines go well with a chocolate dessert that has raspberries, blackberries, or raisins. An oak, or tawny port might pair best with a dessert that has orange, almond, caramel or buttery flavors. Here’s our guide to some of our most delicious and, and sometimes, unexpected pairings
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Decadent Chocolate Cakes & Full-Bodied Reds
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Chocolate Layer Cake & Malbec – The deep cocoa and coffee notes in our Chocolate Layer Cake meld beautifully with the plush, dark blackberry flavors of a Malbec. This pairing is all about harmony—rich, smooth, and luxurious. |
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Chocolate Chip Almond Cake & 20-Year Tawny Port – Aged Tawny Port has caramel, dried fruit, and nutty characteristics that perfectly complement the roasted almonds in this cake, adding layers of warmth and complexity. |
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Flourless Chocolate Cake or Chocolate Pudding & Chocolate Amore – This port-style dessert wine brings out the dark, velvety richness of our Flourless Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Pudding, enhancing their deep cocoa intensity with notes of black cherry and spice. |
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Milk Chocolate & Soft, Fruit-Forward Wines
Milk chocolate’s creamy, sweet nature pairs best with wines that are smooth and fruit-driven:
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Pinot Noir & Milk Chocolate Bonbons – The red berry and subtle spice in Pinot Noir make it a fantastic match for milk chocolate’s caramel-like sweetness. The acidity in the wine helps cut through the richness of the bonbon. |
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Brachetto d’Acqui & Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries – This lightly sparkling, semi-sweet red from Piedmont, Italy, has floral and red berry notes that dance beautifully with fruit-dipped chocolate. |
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Dark Chocolate & Bold, Complex Reds
Dark chocolate’s high cacao content makes it an excellent partner for full-bodied, tannic wines that can match its intensity: |
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Cabernet Sauvignon & 70% Dark Chocolate Truffle – A classic pairing. Cabernet’s blackberry, plum, and cassis flavors, along with its firm tannins, stand up to the bittersweet richness of dark chocolate |
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Zinfandel & Raspberry Cayenne Bonbon – Zinfandel’s bold, jammy fruit and peppery spice make it an exciting match for spiced dark chocolate with cinnamon, chili, or nutmeg. |
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Syrah & Dark Chocolate Truffles – Syrah’s smoky, peppery, and dark fruit notes add intrigue to the velvety richness of a dark chocolate ganache. |
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White Chocolate & Bright, Aromatic Whites
White chocolate’s buttery, sweet profile pairs well with fresh, aromatic, and slightly sweet wines:
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Riesling & White Chocolate Bonbons – A late-harvest Riesling with honeyed apricot and floral notes enhances white chocolate’s smooth, creamy texture. |
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Moscato d’Asti & Passion Fruit Bonbons – This lightly sparkling, floral wine highlights the bright tropical flavors of our Passion Fruit Bonbons while keeping the pairing light and refreshing. |
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Viognier & Yuzu Bonbons – The floral and stone fruit characteristics of Viognier balance out the tart citrusy zing of our Yuzu Bonbons, creating an elegant and unexpected contrast. |
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Unexpected Pairings to Try
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Champagne & Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread – The crisp acidity and bubbles in Champagne create a beautiful contrast with buttery shortbread and silky chocolate. Champagne can also be paired nicely with a fruity, sweeter white chocolate. |
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Pedro Ximenez Sherry & Chocolate Hazelnut Tart – This rich, raisin-like sweet sherry is an incredible pairing for hazelnut-studded chocolate desserts. |
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Madeira & Chocolate-Caramel Tart – Madeira’s toasted nut and dried fruit notes bring out the complexity of caramel and dark chocolate. |
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Sauternes & White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse – The honeyed sweetness and acidity of Sauternes make it a dream pairing for creamy white chocolate with tangy fruit. |
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Find Your Perfect Pairing
While these pairings are a great starting point, the most exciting part of chocolate and wine pairing is the discovery. Trust your palate, experiment with different styles, and see what excites your taste buds the most.
Join us at The Chocolate Room to explore the magic of dessert and wine pairings firsthand. Whether you're a fan of deep, dark chocolate with a bold red or a white chocolate lover looking for a bright, aromatic match, there’s a perfect pairing waiting for you.
Enjoy the tasting adventure!
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