Chocolate and Wine Pairing: A Scientific Guide

Isabelle Lesschaeve Author

We explore the art and sensory science of pairing wine and chocolate, emphasizing personal preference while incorporating scientific insights.

How to Summarize Current Knowledge on Chocolate and Wine Pairing? 

Every year, as Valentine’s Day approaches, the media is flooded with recommendations for pairing chocolate and wine. 

But instead of adding yet another article to the mix, I took a different approach. 

Using Notebook LM, an AI available on Google, I analyzed two articles I wrote and the transcription of a 2023 wine tasting on this topic. 

The result? A distilled and entertaining research-backed summary shared by two virtual show hosts.

Here’s what we truly know about chocolate and wine pairings.

Listen to the conversation by clicking below.

If you'd rather read the key takeaways.

The recording explores the art and science of pairing wine and chocolate, emphasizing personal preference while incorporating scientific insights. 

Here's a summary of the key topics and learnings :

• Challenging Traditional Pairing Rules: The recording questions traditional pairing rules, suggesting personal preference is paramount. Expert pairings might not be the whole story.

• The Science of Taste: Sweetness reduces bitterness and sourness. Salt and umami boost the overall flavor. Fat counteracts the astringency of tannins in wine.

• Isabelle's Chocolate Tasting: The tasting involved pairing a Rosso di Montepulciano and a Zinfandel with milk chocolate (50% cocoa) and dark chocolate (70% plus cocoa). Milk chocolate made both wines vanish, while dark chocolate created a more balanced flavor, enhancing some flavors in the Rosso. Complexity is key for a good pairing.

• Italian Chocolate and Drink Pairing Study: This study involved 3 chocolates (30% milk, 70% dark, 99% dark) and 18 drinks with 80 people, resulting in 54 pairings. The 30% milk chocolate was versatile. The 70% dark chocolate paired well with balsamic vinegar. The 99% dark chocolate also paired well with balsamic vinegar. If you already like a certain drink, you will likely enjoy it in a pairing.

• Pairing by Similarity Versus Contrast: Isabelle leans towards similarity as more reliable than contrast in pairings. Contrasting pairings can be too surprising.

• Pairing Wine with Spicy Food: Separate heat and flavor. To counter the spice heat, use fatty or refreshing elements. Avoid high-alcohol wines. Instead, try refreshing, off-dry wines.

• Key Factors for Pairings: Personal taste is the most important. Complexity matters. Fat tames tannins. Unexpected pairings can be the best.

• Flavor Nuances: Pay attention to the nuances in both wine and chocolate. Look for connections like berry notes in both wine and chocolate.

• The Influence of Terroir: Terroir, the environmental factors affecting flavor, plays a role. The same grape will have a different taste depending on where it is grown.

• Classic Pairings: Port and dark chocolate. Sauternes (sweet white wine) with white chocolate.

• Adventurous Pairings: Dark chocolate with dry-aged cherry. Sparkling wine with milk chocolate.

• Busting the Myth of Expensive Pairings: A good pairing doesn't need expensive items; instead, focus on flavor matching, balance, and complexity.

• Setting the Mood for Pairings: Consider the occasion (romantic evening, casual party) and the desired flavor vibe (rich and decadent, bright and fruity).

• Pairing Process: Start with a favorite wine or chocolate. Try the wine and chocolate separately to appreciate individual flavors. Then, sip the wine and savor the chocolate together, noticing how the flavors change. Play with the amounts to find the perfect balance.

• My final piece of advice is to have fun, try new things, trust your instincts, and find what makes you happy.

Is wine the best chocolate pairing option?

Food and Wine Pairing: Which side of the fence are you standing on? 

Chocolate and Wine Pairing, February 2023.

Disclaimer: The audio summary and most of the written notes were generated with Notebook LM to assess the capability and features of this AI tool.

Categories: : Audio, Tasting education

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