The holidays are stressful. Gift buying and wrapping, endless family gatherings and end of the year to-do lists. Need to unwind? There is a holiday for you that you can celebrate alone or with friends; but no matter how you do, it’s sure to make the holiday bustle so much sweeter.
December 16 is National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day. Not sure how you want to indulge? A glass of wine may be top of your list. But want a sweet treat, too? We’ve got you covered.
Balance is key in all pairings.
We know what you’re thinking. Wine and chocolate? That’s way too sweet. In many ways, the pairing can fail because of sugar overload. But it doesn’t always have to. The key is balance in all pairings.
White, Milk or Dark?
When it comes to pairing wine with chocolate, you’ll want to balance your flavors. The Wisconsin CheeseMan offers this basic guide on pairings.
- White chocolate: Ice wines, late-harvest rieslings, moscato, or cream sherry
- Milk chocolate: Pinot noir, merlot, port, or Madeira
- Dark chocolate: Zinfandel, syrah or shiraz, port or sherry
Desserts for every palate.
No matter if your dessert of choice is fruit based, a pastry, or something savory we have suggestions for you.
- Fruits. It’s the holidays and we’re all filling up on baked goods. Trade your pastries for chocolate covered strawberries. We suggest sparkling red wines to get your celebration started.
- Chocolate cake with icing. A classic cake is always welcomed when it comes to desserts. Pair it with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Cookies. We know we all have Tupperware filled to the brim with cookies at holiday peak. Pair chocolate thumbprint cookies with a smooth merlot.
- Chocolate ice cream. Have ice cream in your freezer? Pair it with a sparkling red wine!
Wine, Chocolate, and Cheese? Yes, Please!
The richness and creaminess of cheese makes it a great combination for any wine or chocolate pairing–making them a dream trio.
- Swiss. If Swiss is your cheese of choice, pair it with a sweet riesling and white chocolate.
- Sharp Cheddar. Milk chocolate pairs well with a port wine and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Blue Cheese. The bite of blue cheese pairs amazingly with a zinfandel and dark chocolate.
Want to bring your wine and dessert knowledge to your next holiday gathering?
Join us for the next fall wine series!
Not sure what the difference is between sparkling wine and champagne? Join us at the Fall Wine School Series: All About The Bubbles on Dec. 17. We’ll help you pick your new favorite bottle for the holidays. Reservations are required for this event, so make sure you secure your table today. We hope to see you there!
Add Cork to your holiday wish list!
If you’re stuck on finding the perfect gift, we do have one suggestion for you — a gift card from Cork! Not sold on the idea? We have ten reasons you should!
We look forward to serving you at all of our fine establishments: