With Easter round the corner, many of you are already preparing yourselves for the indulgent chocolate rampage you are about to embark on. So why not experiment with wine and chocolate pairings while you have all these chocolates at hand?
Chocolate and wine pairing tips
1. Wine first on the tongue, then chocolate, then wine again.
2. Match lighter, more elegant flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise match stronger chocolate with more full-bodied wines.
3. In both chocolate and wine tasting, the flavors are released in stages. The first notes should be filled with fruity acidity (from the grapes in the wine, and the cocoa beans in the chocolate). Look for sweetness in the middle stage. The finish should be identified by tannins, flavor notes common to both wine and chocolate.
4. Chocolate (especially easter eggs) contains large amounts of sugar, which can either overpower or dull the flavours in the wine. Once again, it is all about experimenting and finding what you find to be a good match.
5. Either match like flavours with like (e.g toffee/peach/cherry flavours in both wine and chocolate) or
6. Play with opposite flavours that complement each other (for example, a chocolate with toffee notes can be enhanced by a tawny port with nutty undertones)
7. Have fun! There is nothing quiet as exciting as finding that perfect pairing.
Six wines to pair with Easter chocolates
1. Chardonnay
Tokara Zondernaam Chardonnay 2010 (R50.00) + White chocolate
The Best Value Wine Guide 2012 says the Tokara Zondernaam Chardonnay 2010 is “a standout wine. Complexity is amply displayed; rounded, creamy broad palate with all the requisite preserved lemon and citrus flavours in abundance. Exquisitely balanced and poised. Nothing is out of place. One to impress with as it lingers elegantly long.” A good fruity Chardonnay to pair with white chocolate. Look for different types of white chocolate (i.e white chocolate with hazelnut, orange or lemon) that you can pair with this wine so you can find your perfect match.
2. Pinotage
Meerkat Pinotage 2009, Schalk Burger and Sons (R40.00) + Dark Chocolate
This wine made it into the Pinotage Top 10 roll of honour. It is deliciously uncomplicated in its rasberry and blackberry plum fruit with a twist of spice and light liquorice and earth darkness. It begs to be enjoyed in a social environment. The Meerkat Pinotage is wonderfully complimented by a rich dark chocolate. If you are looking for ‘that something extra’ try the Lindt Chilli Chocolate with this!
3. Shiraz
Spier Signature Shiraz 2012 (R54.00) + Hot Cross Buns
This wine scored 4 stars in the Best Value Wine Guide 2012, and really is great value for money! Filled with berry flavours,a twist of white pepper and a light herbal touch. Of course, all of that fruit is beautifully balanced by some oak contact. Attractive and lengthy, a very smart wine. Shiraz is known for its spicy, warm qualitites and is therefore the perfect pairing for a warm toasty hot cross bun.
4. Rosé
Four Cousins Light Natural Sweet Rosé 2010 (R30.00) – Marshmallow egg
Not only is this a deliciously fruity wine with an aromatic muscat nose and an abundance of sweet cranberry flavours, it is also endorsed by Weigh Less. With all this chocolate going around it couldn’t hurt to have a ‘light’ wine, could it? A well balanced sweet wine, great for any occasion. Pair it with soft marshmallow eggs for an interesting mix of textures and flavours.
5. Methode Cap Classique
Hazendal White Nights MCC 2007 (R85) + Caramel filled egg
This MCC wine is fruity and medium-bodied with an attractive creamy texture. There’s a distinct yeastiness, not unlike freshly-baked bread, and delicate apple flavours on the finish. The thickness of the creamy caramel is cut by the fizz of the MCC and you are left with a wonderful array of flavours and textures in your mouth.
6. Dessert Wine
Heaven On Earth,Stellar Organics (R45) + Milk chocolate bunny
Heaven on Earth is a superb dessert wine that is light gold in colour. The nose is very fragrant and hints at roses, apricots and pine trees on a hot windless day. There are flavours of rooibos too which makes it unique. Pair it with a smooth indulgent milk chocolate that lingers as long as the wine does. If you have other dessert wines at home (possibly port or sherry), why not try pairing these too?
Chocolate and wine pairings at Cape Winelands estates
Waterford Estate, Stellenbosch
R65 to taste the Waterford, Pecan Stream and Kevin Arnold wines with accompanying chocolates.
Tel 021 880 0496
www.waterfordestate.co.za
Creation Wines, Hermanus
R90 a head, 3 wines paired with the 3 specially blended chocolates.
Tel 028 212 1107
www.creationwines.com
Bilton Wines, Stellenbosch
R50 for three chocolates and wines.
Tel 021 881 3714
www.biltonwines.com
Lourensford, Somerset West
R30 for three wines and three chocolates.
Tel 021 847 2333
www.lourensford.com
Asara, Stellenbosch
Although a chocolate and wine pairing is not available, guests can taste four chocolates for R25 at the deli and then move on to the tasting room where a tasting of five wines will cost R50.
Tel 021 888 8000
www.asara.co.za
Plaisir de Merle, Franschhoek
R50 for a selection of red wines and fudge
Tel 021 874 1071
www.plaisirdemerle.co.za
WINE DIVA
Caroline will host wine and chocolate tastings for corporates, groups, wine clubs, parties, home events and functions. Email her on [email protected].
This post was originally published on www.winemag.co.za.
