Pairing food with different types of wines is really an art. There are several different types of wine and, within each category; there are different brands and different processing styles. For example, one type of cabernet can be rich and have undertones of blackberries and spices, while others have an oak undertone. Wines chocolate pairings are some of the most difficult combinations, although, when done well, the result can be dazzling.
The Rule Book
There are many different rules for pairing food and wine that are considered to be “universally true.” Unfortunately, many people try to follow all of the rules to a T, only to find that their pair somehow fell short of the combination that they were looking for. One of the most important things to remember is that, although rules and guidelines can help you do a good job with pairings, sometimes you have to throw away the rule book and simply go by your own taste buds.
Different Types of Chocolate
That being said, one of the most basic rules is that a drink should generally be sweeter than the food it is paired with. This generalization is upheld quite consistently when it comes to pairing with chocolate, although there are certainly exceptions to this rule as well. There are many different types of chocolate, all of which have distinct flavors. The first thing that you need to determine is the type of chocolate that you will be serving. These are four of the most basic types of chocolate:
- Bittersweet chocolate
- Dark chocolate
- Milk chocolate
- White chocolate
When you start to get even more specific with the chocolate that you will be serving, you should note that chocolate and nuts, for example, tastes very different than chocolate and fruit. The more detailed you are in the type of chocolate you would like to include in your pair, the more likely you will be able to choose a drink that compliments and even enhances the flavor.
Basic Tips
In order to come up with excellent wine chocolate pairings, one of the best ways to begin is by doing a little bit of research. There are many different websites that offer suggestions about the best combinations. Once you have done some background research, test your results by tasting the combinations yourself. If you are tasting wines with a group of people, you will certainly notice that everyone has a different opinion on which combinations are better. Just as some people love dark chocolate, and others can’t stand it, you may find that there are some combinations that you adore, while someone else may prefer a different set of combinations.
As a general rule, it is a good idea to pair lighter, sweeter wines with lighter, more delicate chocolates. Richer, darker chocolates go better with more full-bodied wines.
Although there is no ideal combination that magically works in every situation, you can make some excellent wine chocolate pairings by following a few simple tips and by tasting different combinations. If you are hosting a large gathering, you may choose to offer a number of different types of chocolate and a few different bottles of wine. This will allow your guests to design their own pairs.
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