Wine with Chocolate – How to Create the Perfect Pairing
Wine and chocolate – both stand for enjoyment, sensuality, and special moments. But do wine and chocolate really go together? The answer is yes – if you know which styles harmonize. Not every wine pairs well with every chocolate. Here you’ll find inspiration on how to combine both in a tasteful way and discover an entirely new experience of enjoyment.
Why Chocolate and Wine Work So Well Together
Both have complex aromas and play with sweetness, bitterness, fruit, and richness. When the pairing is right, something special happens: the wine highlights the chocolate – or the other way around. The result is a balanced, sometimes surprising taste experience.
Basic Rules for Pairing Wine and Chocolate
- Match intensity: A powerful wine needs an intense chocolate; a delicate wine pairs better with milder varieties.
- Balance sweetness: Chocolate is sweet – the wine should offer at least as much sweetness or fruit.
- Be willing to experiment: Not every pairing works immediately. Sometimes unexpected combinations are the most exciting.
Which Wines Go with Which Chocolate?
Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa or more)
- Recommendation: Full-bodied red wines – e.g. Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Why: The tannins in red wine mirror the bitter notes of the chocolate, while dark fruit aromas complement it perfectly
Milk Chocolate
- Recommendation: Off-dry red wine or port wine, also a slightly sweet Pinot Noir
- Why: The creamy sweetness needs a soft, round partner in the glass
White Chocolate
- Recommendation: Fruity white wines, such as Moscato, Gewürztraminer, or an off-dry Riesling
- Why: The sweetness of the chocolate is balanced by acidity and aromatic intensity
Filled Chocolate (e.g. pralines, caramel, chili)
- Recommendation: Depends on the filling – for example, dessert wine with nut fillings, rosé with berry fillings, port wine with caramel
- Why: This is where things can be playful – sweetness, fruit, and structure interact beautifully
Wine Tasting at Haus der Manufakturen Cologne
If you’d like to explore different wines and discover your personal taste, our wine tasting at Haus der Manufakturen Cologne is the perfect place. In a relaxed atmosphere, you can try various styles and develop a feel for which wines suit you – no prior knowledge needed, just a love of enjoyment.
