Belgian Chocolates

How To Pick Champagne And Wines To Pair With Decadent Chocolate

The Problem With Combining Sparkling Wine, Wines And Chocolates

One of my favorite ways to entertain is with tantalizing champagnes and sparkling wines. So, it is no surprise to everybody who knows me, that two of my favorite things in the world are decadent chocolates, and a fine bottles of champagne. I prefer nothing better than having a house full of guests or a quiet evening at home indulging, lingering and sipping one of my favorites, while nibbling assorted desserts and chocolates. I have my own personal preferences that run the gamete from luscious chocolate covered strawberries, white truffles, or a bite size pieces of silky white or dark chocolate with fruit and almonds. Just thinking about it makes me happy, and satisfied.

However, there are champagne enthusiasts like myself who find the pairing of chocolate and bubbly to be unpleasant, and truth be told it can be. The fusion of the two flavors can leave a dry bitter after taste when the complexities of both the sweet coco and the bubbly co-mingle on the sensitive palate. This dry and dusty finish lingers in the mouth, and in many cases, as each individual wine or sparkling wine can have their own complexities that leave a unusual "dusty" taste impression. It can be difficult to imagine that your favorite chocolate can suddenly seems overly tart or even sour when paired with the complex sweetness of a sparkling wine, but with a little bit of experimentation you can discover the right combination that offers a more agreeable experience to appreciate. There are literally thousands of possible taste combinations, so you are sure to discover a personal favorite if you persevere.

How To Choose The Right Chocolates To Pair With Champagne and Wine

If you are inviting people over for a relaxing wine tasting party you might choose to include pieces of broken chocolate that contain nuts, and fruit which I have found pair very well with the wine, and break up the sweetness of the candy. Mousse of white or darker chocolate, cookies, nutted coco tarts, and a lightly flavored coco cake can all add scrumptious taste sensations to your selected wines and champagnes. White chocolate is an excellent choice and many find that it counter balances a delicious demi sec champagne, and making a white fondue is quite simple and fun experience for your guests. You can also add chocolates containing: cherries, bitter orange,assorted fruit, and dipped pretzels to the dessert menu too? Feel free to add some flavorful cheeses to add contrast to your sweet desserts.

Of course the individual tastes of your guests will be the most significant factor in any food and wine pairing that you choose, but a fine bottle of Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) has found to pair well with chocolate due to its characteristic lighter and less acidic composition when compared to champagne. Do not be afraid to experiment, and enjoy the evening with friends, family, and loved ones.

The Set Up For Your Party Guests

Bottles: Chill The Liquors according to preference (Port, Sparkling Wine, Various bottles of Bubbly, Sherry, White Wine, Red Wines, Desert Wines, Flavored Liqueurs) have the bottles ready and separated into groups, the champagne chilled with glasses on hand, and standing by for a night of pleasure, and luxurious taste sensations.

* Try these: Ruinart Brut Rosé, Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque brut, Billecart
Salmon Rosé, Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge, or Piper Heidsieck Brut

* Muscat or Moscato; Ruby Port or a Tawny Port (avoid vintage ports)

* Dark cocoa pairs well with Cognac, and red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon/Bordeaux/Merlot

*Pair these with white cocoa: Muscat/Moscator, Rieslings, Chenin Blancs, and Sauternes

Glasses: Place Wine and Champagne glasses in a convenient location that does not interfere with the flow of the desserts, and cheeses.

Desserts: Set out the chocolates, or desserts in one central location, and spread bits of candied sweets on decorated plates or servers throughout the room as well.

Napkins: Choose white or red to set the wine theme

Plates: Choose small dessert plates which are easy to carry, but try to offer desserts in individual containers such as candy cups, and tiny parfait cups which make plates almost unnecessary.

* The goal is to have samplers of desserts not large portions.

* Set out the decadent desserts in one central location, and spread bits of chocolate, and nuts on decorated plates or servers throughout the room as well.

* The alcohol should not be in the same location as candied sweets and desserts.

* Have room temperature water readily available for your guests, as alcohol can be dehydrating, and also to refresh the palate.

Take Pleasure In Spending Time With Family & Friends

Enjoying the taste sensations of wine, sparkling wines, champagnes, ports, and sherry, followed by your choice of candied sweets, and scrumptious coco desserts can be quite tantalizing. Finding the right combinations, and great pairings can create a memorable evening for everyone.

Remember that you want your guests to imbibe slowly in a long leisurely evening taking pleasure in some of the most self-indulgent, and delicious collections you have to offer.

A fun Idea is for keeping the conversation going through out the evening, and your guests completely engaged is to schedule the evening pairing. Serve the wine and gorgeous desserts on a set schedule, and then make conversation based on each persons individual appraisal of the taste groupings.

You and your guests will find some pairings that will be delectable opening your eyes to matches you may not have ever considered and others will literally leave you dry and dusty, but once you find the perfect combinations of chocolate and wine you will have found your own blissful nirvana.

Of course wine, champagne, and decadent delights always go best with friends, and family. Gift baskets containing your favorite bottle of bubbly and sweets are a lovely gift to share as well.

About the Author

Having champagne delivered as a gift is something that everyone derives great pleasure in, and you will always know your recipient will appreciate your thoughtful gesture. The fact that it is a very simple and an uncomplicated gift option will make gift giving simple, and your choices of unique and delicious bottles are so immense, that you can spend a lifetime having unique bottles of bubbly delivered to your friends and family and never run out of delicious new gift options. You can find gift basket options at Best Champagne Deliver.com

Stay healthy by benefiting from the ingredients found in red wine. Learn more about Resveratrol Supplements
a truly amazing antioxidant that has anti aging, cancer fighting and more capabilities.
All The Best, Denise Newman

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