Tag: chocolate

ChocoVine

ChocovinePrice: $10
Origin: Holland
Importer: Clever Imports, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, screw cap
Alcohol: 14%

ChocoVine‘s label promises, “the taste of dutch chocolate and fine red wine.” It looks like a frappucino, or perhaps an Irish cream liqueur in a darker shade. The combination doesn’t sound very promising – I was expecting an evil mixture of Yahoo and Two Buck Chuck. In fact, ChocoVine is more like a liqueur, both in taste and texture. It’s sweet and creamy, with a mild chocolate flavor and a noticeable alcohol bite. The “finish” is a rather cloying coating on the tongue from the cream. Continue reading “ChocoVine”

Wine & Chocolate for Valentine’s Day

Wine and ChocolateChocolates are a Valentine’s Day favorite, as is wine. So, why not try to pair the two for a great Valentine’s Day gift or treat?

Chocolate, of course, tends to be sweet. To pair with a red wine takes some creativity, and sticking with dark chocolate will help. Dark chocolate is much less sweet than milk chocolate, and might pair well with a red toward the fruitier end of the spectrum. A fruity red Zinfandel would work nicely, or, if you can find one, a Cabernet Sauvignon that leads with berry flavors and isn’t too dry.

A dark chocolate and red wine pairing has something beyond flavor going for it: both are considered heart-healthy food items.

If you absolutely must go with milk chocolate, a dessert wine like a Sherry or Ruby Port would work best. You might try a Merlot from the sweeter end of the spectrum, though I’d expect the creamy sweetness of the chocolate to clash with even fruity Merlots and Syrahs.

Of course, if you are giving a gift, you can always combine wine and chocolate even if you don’t plan to consume them side by side.