The Wine Gift Shop

Wine and chocolate is a difficult pairing for many people to make; for this reason they will generally choose to avoid this effort if possible. If you just keep a few simple guidelines in mind, you will be able to assemble a wine and chocolate gift basket which is certain to astound and delight recipients and be a gift which will always be remembered.

Avoid the Wrong Wine

The most commonly made error in trying to pair up wines and chocolate is not going for the right wine. Dry white wines do not, as a rule pair up well with chocolate. Some of these are: Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Semillion and Gewurztramner (although there are some specimens of this wine which do in fact go very well with chocolate). If you want to give a wine which is dry, instead pair it with bread or cheeses, or give the wine as a gift on its own. Lighter bodied wines go well with lighter, creamier chocolate, while full, rich wines go better with dark chocolates.

The Right Wine for The Right Chocolate

Typically, red wines go best with chocolate. Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon are particularly good choices for dark chocolate pairings and are among the best choices for red wine and chocolate gift baskets. Merlot and Pinot Noir can also pair well with milk chocolate.

White wines, since they tend to be drier, are more difficult to pair up with chocolate. The best whites for a wine and chocolate gift basket are Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling (with milk chocolate), though Chardonnay can also make a good match for milk chocolate.

Dessert wines, by contrast follow their own rules for pairing with chocolate. Champagne or other sparkling wine goes well with almost any chocolate, Port goes well with dark chocolate and Sherry and white chocolate are perfect together.

Follow Some Simple Rules

Assembling a great wine and chocolate gift basket can be very easy. Just keep the rules in mind as you think of pairings. You can either start with the chocolate and then pair it with a wine, or the other way around. You may be surprised by your pairings and by how well your gift is received.

A dessert wine is probably the best way to start if you have never before put together a wine and chocolate gift basket. Sparkling wines are foolproof, but you can also be daring and put together a red wine and chocolate gift basket featuring dark and milk chocolate to flaunt your new found knowledge.

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