Chocolate and Wine - A Decadent Match Sure to Please

What could be a better holiday gift for a loved one or friend than an elegant gift basket filled with wine and chocolate? However, most people shy away from pairing wine and chocolate, let alone giving a wine gift basket filled with both delightful treats, to be enjoyed together. Done correctly, wine and chocolate can be both a transcendent and decadent match that is sure to please any palate and is always the perfect gift for this holiday season.
If you are thinking about putting together a gift basket of wine and chocolate, some key ideas to keep in mind:

1. If you are sending a congratulatory wine gift basket filled with a sparkling wine and chocolate, opt for a semi-sweet sparkling wine like a Cava and pair it with a white or milk chocolate. A dry sparkling wine can often seem astringent when paired with chocolate, but a semi-sweet sparkler adds the right balance of sweetness when paired with a lighter chocolate. If you are filling a basket with white or milk chocolate, a nice, oaky Chardonnay is also an elegant idea and perfectly complements the creaminess of lighter chocolates.

2. Many chocolate shops or specialty chocolate retailers will let you sample their chocolate offerings. Select the chocolates that you enjoy the most, or even offer a mix in the gift basket of white chocolate, fruit-filled chocolates and dark chocolate. For this selection, include at least two wines (one lighter and one slightly heavier), with a note letting your recipient know to pair the lighter white and milk chocolates with the lighter wines.

3. An intense, almost bittersweet dark chocolate should be paired with a rich red wine that has a concentrated fruit flavor profile. MyWinesDirect.com offers a wonderful California Meritage wine dipped in decadent dark chocolate. The bright fruit notes of cherry and currant from Meritage, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec grapes, pair perfectly with the dark chocolate. The wine is neither too tannic nor too dry, and well balanced for enjoying with chocolate. The gift itself of a bottle elegantly dipped in dark chocolate is luxurious and appropriate when you want to impress.

4. When in doubt about what wine to add to a chocolate gift basket, opt for a sweet or dessert-style wine. Port is often thought of as the classic wine to pair with chocolate – it hits all the right fruit notes and adds a balance of sweetness to complement any chocolate. Indeed, any wine that offers both bright fruit and resulting sweet notes will pair wonderfully with chocolate.

5. A chocolate gift included in the wine gift basket can take many forms. These days chocolate makers are producing everything from chocolate covered pretzels to chocolate filled with unusual ingredients like chiles and saffron. Throwing one of these unusual chocolates in the wine gift basket adds a fun and even whimsical note to your gift.

Armed with the hints above, you’re sure to put together the perfect wine and chocolate gift basket this holiday season. It’s an elegant and thoughtful gift that the recipient will love. There are also a number of great online retailers, like MyWinesDirect.com, that have pre-made chocolate and wine gift baskets that are easy to select and send – an incredible timesaver during the holiday crunch.

For more chocolate and wine gift baskets, wine gifts and chocolate and wine pairing ideas, visit MyWinesDirect.com.