How do you combine chocolate and wine for the perfect taste experience?

Wine and cheese? That’s so 2020. Just kidding, we love a good wine and cheese pairing, but have you ever thought about a good wine with your chocolate? Chocolate and wine. Two luxurious treats that go perfectly together if you combine them the right way.

But how do you know which wine goes best with your piece of dark, milk or white chocolate? And do you know which combinations you should absolutely avoid? In this guide, you will discover how to make the perfect pairing and how to dramatically enhance your chocolate and wine experience.

1. Why combine chocolate and wine?

Chocolate and wine share many similarities. Both have a complex flavor profile, ranging from fruity and spicy to deep and earthy. A successful pairing will make your day better, because you will experience a harmonious balance of sweet, sour and bitter. The trick is to find a wine that complements and enhances the natural notes of chocolate. And of course, transports you to culinary heaven.

What do you pay attention to when combining?

• Tannins in red wine can clash with the fat content of milk chocolate.
• Sweeter wines pair better with milk and white chocolate than dry wines.
• Higher cocoa levels call for fuller, more powerful wines.

2. What influences the taste of chocolate?

Chocolate comes in all shapes and sizes. The taste of this piece of heaven on earth is determined by several factors, including:

• Cocoa variety - there are 20+ varieties of cocoa, each with its own flavor profile;
• Origin of cocoa - the vast majority comes from West Africa, but cocoa also grows in Vietnam, South America, Indonesia and Madagascar;
• Fermentation process - the way cocoa is fermented and roasted determines the intensity of the chocolate flavor;
• Added ingredients – extra fats, sugars and milk powder affect how chocolate and wine taste together.
  

3. Best wine pairings by type of chocolate

Dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa) & red wine

🔥 Intense and powerful – a perfect balance between bitter and fruity.

Why does it work?

Dark chocolate has a high cocoa content and a bitter, intense taste. To compensate for this, choose a powerful red wine with lots of fruitiness and soft tannins.

Best Wine Pairings for Dark Chocolate:

• Port – Sweet and powerful, with notes of ripe fruit and spices.
  
• Zinfandel – Fruity depth with a light spiciness.
  
• Amarone della Valpolicella – Full and rich, with dried fruit and cocoa notes.

Also read: Which wine goes best with French cheeses?

Milk chocolate & smooth red or sweet wines

🔥 Creamy, soft and perfectly balanced with fruity wines.

Why does it work?

Milk chocolate contains more sugar and milk fat, which can make a dry red wine feel too sharp. Sweeter, fruity wines or light red wines are better suited to this.

Best wine pairings for milk chocolate:

• Pinot Noir – Light and fruity with a soft finish.
  
• Ruby Port – Sweet and full, ideal with creamy milk chocolate.
  
• Moscato d'Asti – Slightly sparkling and perfect with sweet milk chocolate.

Also read: Champagne and oysters: why does this classic combination work?

White chocolate & dessert wines

🔥 Sweet and silky – a match with aromatic wines.

Why does it work?

White chocolate does not contain cocoa, but only cocoa butter, which gives it a creamy and buttery texture. This makes it a good match for sweet, fruity dessert wines.

Best wine pairings for white chocolate:

• Sauternes – French dessert wine with honey and apricot.
  
• Gewürztraminer – Aromatic and slightly spicy, ideal with creamy chocolate.
  
• Riesling Spätlese – Fresh sweetness with fruity notes.

Also read: How to taste olive oil like a professional?

Chocolate with chili, sea salt or caramel & unique wines

🔥 Bold flavors? Choose bold wines!

Why does it work?

Chocolate with additional flavourings such as sea salt, chilli or caramel requires a specific choice of wine to enhance or balance the contrast.

Best wine pairings for flavorful chocolate:

• Syrah/Shiraz – Spicy notes enhance chili in chocolate.
  
• Madeira – Sweet caramel notes pair perfectly with salted chocolate.
  
• Pedro Ximénez Sherry – Rich, syrupy wine that matches with caramel.

Also read: The 5 food pairing trends of 2025 according to top chefs

4. Common Mistakes in Chocolate & Wine Pairings

• Dry red wine with milk chocolate – Tannins clash with the fat and sugar.
  
• Too sweet wine with dark chocolate – The bitterness can overpower.
  
• Too light wine with chocolate with a high cocoa content – ​​Lacks structure.

Tip : When in doubt, choose something sweeter than your chocolate so the wine isn't drowned out by the sugars in the chocolate.

5. The proof of the pudding: how do you experience the ultimate combination?

Finding the perfect chocolate & wine pairing is only possible through tasting. Follow these steps to find the perfect match:

1. Pour a glass of wine
2. Use your senses - smell the wine, take a sip and let the wine flow through your mouth
3. Smell, feel and taste the chocolate and let it melt completely in your mouth
4. Then take a sip of wine and experience how the flavors merge. Do you taste an intense flavor, a rounder profile or just more tart?
5. Repeat different combinations to discover what works for you.

There is no right or wrong, so experiment and experience and discover your top combination.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chocolate & Wine Pairing

Which wine goes best with dark chocolate?

View the answer

Dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa) pairs best with powerful red wines such as Port, Zinfandel or Amarone. These wines balance the bitterness of the cocoa and enhance the fruity notes.

Can you combine milk chocolate with red wine?

View the answer

Yes, but choose light, fruity red wines like Pinot Noir or a sweeter wine like Ruby Port to balance the creaminess of milk chocolate.

Why does white chocolate pair so well with dessert wines?

View the answer

White chocolate contains a lot of cocoa butter and no cocoa, giving it a creamy and sweet base. Dessert wines such as Sauternes and Gewürztraminer enhance the buttery texture and subtle vanilla notes.

How do you taste the perfect chocolate-wine combination?

View the answer

First take a sip of wine and experience the taste, then a piece of chocolate and let it melt. Then take another sip of wine and notice how the flavors change.

The ultimate chocolate wine experience

Chocolate and wine are a match made in heaven, but the right combination makes all the difference. From Port with dark chocolate to Sauternes with white chocolate, each pairing brings a unique taste experience.

Want to experiment yourself? Discover our luxury range of wines and chocolates !