Red wine and dark chocolate are two beloved indulgences for many. Red wine, known for its bold, rich flavor and potential health benefits when consumed in moderation, is a staple at gatherings and meals. Dark chocolate, with its intense cocoa flavor and smooth, velvety texture, satisfies cravings for something sweet and decadent. But do these two treats actually pair well together? Let’s explore the nuances of this flavor combination.
The Science Behind the Pairing
On a molecular level, red wine and dark chocolate share several common flavor compounds that make them natural complements. Here are some of the key overlaps:
Tannins
Both red wine and dark chocolate contain tannins, which are naturally occurring polyphenols found in some plant foods and beverages. Tannins contribute to the dry, puckering mouthfeel and bitter taste associated with red wines and dark chocolates. When consumed together, the tannins in the wine and chocolate complement each other.
Flavanols
Red wine and dark chocolate are both rich sources of flavanols, a type of antioxidant flavonoid. Flavanols contribute to the bitterness as well as potential health benefits of these foods. The high flavanol content helps explain why red wine and dark chocolate pair so well together from a flavor perspective.
Acidity
Red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot tend to be high in acidity, which balances out the sweetness of the fruit flavors. Dark chocolate also contains acids that brighten its flavor. The acidic elements of wine complement the slight acidity in chocolate, creating an appealing taste contrast.
Fruits and Spices
Red wines are often characterized by their red and black fruit notes, like plum, cherry, blackberry, and raspberry. Dark chocolates frequently contain dried fruit or fruit purees to enhance their flavor. Additionally, both red wine and chocolate impart warming spice flavors like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. These shared fruit and spice flavors allow the wine and chocolate to mingle seamlessly.
Food Pairing Principles
Beyond the molecular compounds they have in common, red wine and dark chocolate align with basic food pairing principles related to taste, texture, and intensity. Here’s how they complement each other from a general food pairing perspective:
Sweet and Bitter
In general, sweet foods taste great with bitter foods and beverages. The inherent sweetness of dark chocolate balances beautifully with the bitterness of red wine. The sweet cocoa tastes smooth and indulgent next to the dry, tannic wine.
Weight and Texture
Foods and beverages with similar weights and textures tend to pair well together. The rich, velvety texture of dark chocolate matches seamlessly with the full, viscosity of red wine. They have a similar heft in the mouth.
Intensity
Flavors of approximately the same intensity work well in combination. The deep, potent flavors of dark chocolate and red wine are evenly matched. Neither overpowers the other. Instead, they blend harmoniously.
Taste Test: Pairing Notes
To provide concrete examples of how red wine pairs with dark chocolate, several wines were taste tested alongside different chocolates. Here are the highlights:
Cabernet Sauvignon and 70% Dark Chocolate
– The bold black cherry and oak flavors of the Cabernet Sauvignon beautifully complemented the intensity of the bittersweet chocolate.
– The red fruit flavors were echoed in the chocolate’s cherry and raspberry notes.
– The creamy cocoa softened the wine’s tannic dryness.
– Overall an elegant, balanced pairing.
Malbec and Chocolate Truffles with Salted Caramel Filling
– The luscious chocolate ganache center harmonized with the Malbec’s rich, dark fruit profile.
– The touch of salt heightened the flavor contrast.
– The milk chocolate rounded out the wine’s tannins.
– A decadent pairing with contrasting textures.
Pinot Noir and Chocolate-Covered Cherries
– The Pinot Noir’s red fruit flavors were prominently featured in the chocolate cherries.
– The milk chocolate provided a sweet counterpoint to the earthy, medium-bodied wine.
– The juice from the cherries brightened and accentuated the fruitiness of the wine.
– A fun, fruit-forward pairing.
Zinfandel and Chocolate-Espresso Truffles
– The Zinfandel’s brambly blackberry flavors connected with the mocha flavors of the truffles.
– The intensity of the jammy wine stood up to the bittersweet chocolate-espresso combination.
– The coffee notes sharpened the fruit in the wine.
– An energetic, lively pairing.
Ideal Red Wine Varietals
Based on their flavor profiles and structural components, certain red wine varietals pair especially well with dark chocolate. Here are some of the best options:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Bold and tannic Cabernet Sauvignon has enough backbone and intensity of flavor to stand up to dark chocolate’s richness. Its signature black cherry and blackcurrant notes marry seamlessly with chocolate’s dark fruit flavors. Oak aging contributes spicy, vanilla tones that complement chocolate.
Merlot
The soft, velvety texture of Merlot contrasts nicely with the smooth mouthfeel of chocolate. Merlot’s red and black fruit flavors pair well with the fruit notes in many dark chocolates. The mild tannins don’t overpower chocolate’s delicate nuances.
Malbec
Deeply colored, fruit-forward Malbec has vibrant dark berry flavors that complement chocolate’s fruitiness. It tends to be lower in tannins than some reds, allowing chocolate’s cocoa flavor to shine. Its full body stands up to the rich chocolate texture.
Zinfandel
Jammy, concentrated Zinfandel boasts ripe fruit flavors like blackberry, raspberry, and plum that integrate well with chocolate. The spicy peppery notes often found in Zinfandel contrast with chocolate’s inherent sweetness.
Pinot Noir
The red cherry and strawberry notes in Pinot Noir highlight the fruit flavors in many dark chocolates. Its light, smooth tannins don’t overpower chocolate. The earthiness of Pinot Noir balances chocolate’s sweetness.
Syrah
Peppery Syrah with its blueberry and blackberry flavors mingles nicely with chocolate’s array of fruit notes. Syrah’s savory, bacon fat qualities offer an alluring contrast to chocolate’s sweetness. The tannins mesh well with chocolate’s texture.
Ideal Chocolate Varieties
Certain types of dark chocolate pair especially well with the flavors and structure of red wine. Here are some top options:
Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao or Higher
As the cacao percentage increases in dark chocolate, so does the intensity of flavors that complement red wine. The higher the percentage, the less sweetness to clash with the dry tannins in red wine. The deep chocolate base notes match the potent fruit flavors in red wine.
Dark Chocolate with Dried Fruit
Many artisanal dark chocolates incorporate dried cherry, raisins, cranberries, figs, apricots, or other dried fruit. These fruit flavors beautifully echo the fruit notes in red wine. The fruit’s sweetness balances tannins while maintaining intensity.
Dark Chocolate with Nuts
Dark chocolates studded with almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans provide toasty, nutty flavors that interplay deliciously with oaked red wines. The crunch of the nuts contrasts nicely with red wine’s silky texture.
Dark Chocolate with Spices
Spiced dark chocolates featuring cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, chili pepper, or other spices mirror the warming spice notes in many red wines. The heat and zest accentuate the fruitiness of the wine.
Flavored Dark Chocolate
Flavored dark chocolates like orange, raspberry, cherry, espresso, or mint offer an additional layer of fruit or aromatic flavors that complement the fruit and oak notes in red wines. But the chocolate base should still predominately feature cacao rather than sweet add-ins.
Pairing Tips
Follow these tips to create optimal pairings of red wine and dark chocolate:
Go for High-Quality Ingredients
Splurge on premium chocolate with a high cacao percentage and choose excellent, well-made wines. The nuances will shine when the ingredients are top-notch.
Try Pairing Chocolate from the Same Region as the Wine
Some wineries make chocolate using cacao from their area. The regional terroir flavors will likely complement each other.
Consider the Alcohol Content of the Wine
Full-bodied, high alcohol wines have the intensity to stand up to dark chocolate. If the wine is lower in alcohol, choose a chocolate with a slightly lower cacao percentage.
Pay Attention to Sweetness
In general, the sweeter the chocolate, the sweeter the wine should be. Sweeter red wines like Banyuls or Lambrusco balance out milk chocolate or chocolate with caramel.
Mind the Tannins
High-tannin reds pair better with higher cocoa content chocolate. Low-tannin wines won’t overpower chocolate’s delicate flavor.
Think About Your Guests’ Preferences
When serving for a party or gathering, provide a few red wine and chocolate pairing options to satisfy different tastes.
Try Before You Pair in Quantity
Taste a small amount of the wine with a bite of the chocolate before serving large portions, to ensure you like the combination.
Enjoy Highlighting the Flavors
Savor how the notes of each component – fruit, spice, nut, cream – are echoed and accentuated in the pairing.
Add a Contrasting Texture
Consider adding something crunchy, like toasted nuts or sea salt, to provide textural contrast.
Pairing Ideas for Entertaining
Here are some red wine and dark chocolate pairing ideas perfect for entertaining and parties:
Wine and Chocolate Tasting Party
Offer several red wines paired with an assortment of artisanal dark chocolate bars. Give guests tasting sheets to comment on the combinations.
Dessert Wine and Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Serve Cabernet Franc or Port with chocolate-dipped strawberries for an elegant dessert.
Valentine’s Day Chocolate and Wine Duos
Craft a romantic charcuterie board with Malbec, chocolate truffles, fresh fruit, and nuts.
Birthday Wine and Chocolate Cupcakes
Top Merlot-infused chocolate cupcakes with a red wine frosting.
Holiday Chocolate and Wine Pairing Party
For Christmas or winter holidays, match bold Zinfandels with chocolate-peppermint bites.
Movie Night Wine and Chocolate
Offer Syrah with dark chocolate popcorn during your Oscar viewing party.
Potential Health Benefits
In addition to tasting delicious together, red wine and dark chocolate offer potential health perks:
Antioxidants
Red wine and chocolate both provide antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols that may help combat cellular damage from free radicals.
Heart Health
Moderate intake of red wine’s alcohol and antioxidants may support healthy cholesterol and blood pressure.
Brain Function
The flavanols in cocoa and red wine may aid blood flow and neuron signaling in the brain.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
The anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa flavonoids and red wine compounds may help reduce inflammation.
Mood Boost
Chemicals in chocolate promote serotonin production to potentially elevate mood. Red wine may also boost mood in moderation.
However, the research on health benefits is still preliminary. It’s ideal to consume both foods in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Recommendations
Best Pairings for Beginners
For those new to red wine and chocolate pairing, start with sweeter, smoother options like:
– Milk chocolate or 60% dark chocolate with Merlot
– Mocha chocolate with Pinot Noir
– Chocolate-covered cherries with Beaujolais
Best Pairings for Experts
More advanced palates can enjoy more intense combinations like:
– 85% dark chocolate with bold Cabernet
– Chocolate with chili pepper notes and Zinfandel
– Dark chocolate espresso truffles with Malbec
Conclusion
While the richness of both red wine and dark chocolate can certainly be enjoyed on their own, pairing them thoughtfully allows for each component to shine and mingle delightfully. Their shared characteristics of fruitiness, spice, strong flavor intensity, silky texture, and inherent sweet-bitter dynamic make red wine and dark chocolate natural complements. With a huge range of chocolate cacao percentages, wine varietals, and flavor infusions to mix and match, there are endless pairing possibilities for casual snacking or elegant entertaining. Following basic food pairing principles while considering the nuances of the specific wine and chocolate can lead to memorably delicious duos. In moderation, this combo not only tastes decadent, but can be an antioxidant-rich treat. So go ahead, say yes to red wine and dark chocolate for a flavor adventure in every sip and bite.