UPDATED January 2025
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect wine and chocolate pairing, chances are you’re planning something special. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day date night, an anniversary toast, or simply an indulgent night of self-care, nothing says ‘celebration’ – or relaxation, better than wine and chocolate.
From velvety reds paired with rich dark chocolate to sparkling wines dancing alongside creamy milk chocolate, this guide is here to help you create a pairing that feels as delightful as the occasion and the company.
Need a few more ideas for your planning? Check out this post about Selecting the Right Romantic Wines that also includes tips for surprising your sweetie with a memorable bottle. When it comes time to write a special love note, take a look at these Valentine’s Day quotes for inspiration.
Ready to discover what kind of chocolate to pair with wine? Let’s get to it!
Zinfandel
Zinfandel tastes ripe, slightly jammy and has a hint of spice that makes it an ideal partner for pairing with chocolates. The sublime notes of berry fruit go well with both sweeter milk chocolate and richer dark chocolate.
Try Zinfandel from Overshine Wines, Sandlands, or Bedrock Wine Co. for your romantic wine pairing.
Pinot Noir
The delicate, earthy character of Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with chocolates that feature sea salt. For the best Pinot Noir wine and chocolate pairing, try semi-sweet chocolates with 50-60% cocoa. Another good tip for this chocolate wine pairing is to go with light-bodied, less oaky Pinot Noirs from Oregon or the Sonoma Coast.
This style of light red wine won’t overpower the nuances of the chocolate.
Try Pinot Noir from Reeve, Littorai, Ceritas, Hanzell, or Cobb Wines.
Gamay
Fruit-forward Gamay is the flirty wine pairing your chocolate deserves. Gamay’s notes of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry cut through rich milk chocolate and allow the sweetness to sing. Classic Cru Beaujolais (a type of Gamay wine from France) is absolutely enchanting with dark chocolate.
Try Gamay from Pax Wines or Phelan Farm.
Grenache
Grenache is a fabulous choice to pair with chocolate, especially when it comes to indulging in some decadent dark chocolate. The wine’s luscious ripe fruit flavors, hints of spice, and velvety tannins create an incredible sipping experience when paired with the deep, rich flavors of dark chocolate.
Try Grenache from Unti Vineyards or Raft Wines.
Port
As far as luxurious food pairings go, it’s hard to beat port wine and chocolate. The bold, fruity flavors of a ruby or tawny port complement so many types of chocolate. Try matching a tawny port with milk chocolate for a smooth and delectable combination, or pair a ruby port with dark chocolate to create a delightful contrast of flavors.
Sherry
Amontillado sherry, with its notes of toasted almonds and vanilla, will turn caramel truffles or chocolate-covered macadamia nuts into pure bliss. The date and coffee notes in Oloroso sherry, on the other hand, pair well with dark chocolate truffles and even gooey chocolate fudge brownies.
Moscato d’Asti
The sweet, fizzy bubbles in Moscato d’Asti are a delight with white and milk chocolates. When you pair Moscato with chocolate, you can enjoy some bubbly without breaking the bank.
Champagne
If you’re like me and you live by the motto, any excuse is a good excuse to open champagne, you’re in luck. Champagne and chocolate is a totally dreamy combination. This is also the most romantic wine and chocolate pairing on this list.
I’m of the mind that any champagne works well with dessert, but demi-sec champagne, which is a sweeter style of bubbly, is the most popular pairing.
TIP 1: Pair chocolate covered strawberries with champagne for palate pleasing fireworks.
TIP 2: These vintage-inspired champagne coupe glasses will make your evening even more elegant.
Riesling
Pair a slightly sweet Riesling with milk chocolate or white chocolate for heavenly experience. The Ojai Vineyard “Kick On Ranch” Dessert Riesling is a knock-out dessert wine that features tropical lychee fruit, honeyed apricot, and caramelly peaches. Added bonus: this is a family-owned winery.
Banyuls
Banyuls wine, with its notes of sweet spices and yummy stewed fruits, is a luscious wine that pairs with most chocolates. You can even pair this fortified with chocolate mousse, toffee, and chocolate cakes.
Tips
- You don’t necessarily have to buy a separate bottle for your chocolate wine pairing. Plan your entire meal around one bottle of wine that works with both dinner and dessert. Zinfandel is a great choice. Or champagne, because champagne is always a good idea.
- Skip the candy and stick with high quality chocolate bars or truffles. Trust me; you will notice the difference!
- It’s easiest to pair dark chocolates between 60% – 70% cacao. Chocolate over 80% is really difficult to pair with wine because it’s so bitter.
- Try to match the flavor intensity of the wine and chocolate. Pair lighter wines with lighter milk chocolate and darker wines with more robust dark chocolates. For example, Gamay with milk chocolate, and Zinfandel with dark chocolate.
FAQ
Can I pair white chocolate with wine?
Because white chocolate is much sweeter than milk chocolate or dark chocolate, pair this creamy dessert with a sweet Riesling, Ice Wine, Moscato, or Port.
What wine to pair with chocolate covered strawberries?
Bubbly Champagne is the best wine to pair with chocolate covered strawberries. You can also pair this romantic sweet treat with Pinot Noir or Riesling.