What I'm about to tell you could mean drastic consequences for your love life: the pairing of wine and chocolate—yes, Romance 101, that alluring combo of alcohol and aphrodisiac—is actually not a suitable pairing at all, according to some food scientists. They say to think of it more as a familial pairing, like a mother and daughter relationship, rather than an amorous coupling. (Wow. Major mood killer.)
What's the science behind the statement that these two foods don't go together as well as advertising—and our own romantic inclinations—have led us to believe? According to Palate Press, they're too similar! They both have concentrated sources of flavonoids and tannins, which work against each other.
Chocolate is bitter, astringent, and sour. Red wine is also bitter, astringent, and sour. Together, they reinforce the bitterness, astringency, and sourness of each other, and that's not a good thing. White wine tends to be even more acidic than red wine, so the chocolate will taste bitterer and the wine will taste sourer...A sweet chocolate paired with a less-sweet wine will make the wine taste sour just by comparison...don't be surprised if that pretty, balanced 13% Merlot you put on the table to drink with your chocolate mousse cake tastes vinegary after a bite of the sweet dessert.
Of course, if you want to eat and drink the two together, by all means continue to do so! (As I'm sure most of you will.) But a few mindful pairing tips should help alleviate any potential clashing:
The usual guidelines for food and wine pairing can apply here as well as anywhere else: like flavors with like, balance weights and textures, or go for a contrast if you're feeling avant-garde.
How do you feel about pairing wine and chocolate? Do you do it? Do you have a favorite wine and chocolate combination?
Read More: The Food Science of Wine and Chocolate at Palate Press
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Never! Except for fortified wines (cream sherry, Marsala, a fairly sweet port) - which do sometimes pair wonderfully with chocolate. Usually, I'd chose either brandy and coffee to compliment chocolates or chocolate desserts.
A dessert wine pairs well with cheese, fruit/fruity or creamy desserts such as panna cotta. Dessert wines need daintier edibles than robust chocolate, to bring out their features.
Ruined a glass of my favorite $14 Cabernet (Catena 2009 - better than a lot of more expensive options) by pairing it with a piece of eater candy...such a disappointment.
I had a cabernet with dark chocolate brownies and I thought they complimented each other quite well. Perhaps it was a coincidence.
Sometimes, when I pair a red with chocolate, I can pick up flavors that aren't in the chocolate more easily. For example, I had a wine that suddenly was peppery after a square of chocolate.
In general, though, I only eat chocolate with wine that's my weekly usual, not something special.
I never liked wine and chocolate together and everyone thinks I'm nuts. Time to print this out and bring it along with me to dinner parties. Oh sweet validation, you feel so good.