Best wine and chocolate pairing gifts

There is no sweeter combination than wine and chocolate, when properly paired.

Erica Crouse, a certified sommelier shares a standard rule for perfect pairing: wine should generally be lighter than chocolate, or it will taste astringent. This applies to all types of sweet treats, from pies and pastries to cookies and candies, but when it comes to chocolate, Crouse’s advice is especially important as there are many different styles of chocolate, from white chocolate and dark chocolate milk, and varieties of chocolate desserts, from decadent truffles to layered cakes and more.

Now that you know what to look for in a deal, you’re ready to throw together the ultimate holiday gift for the wine and chocolate fanatics in your party, or really for any kind of sweet tooth, foodie, or oenophile. We’ve rounded up six wine and chocolate pairing examples for you to shop individually and create a personalized set, as well as five gift sets for those who prefer a one-stop shop.

Prosecco & Milk Chocolate

Since milk chocolate is on the sweeter end of the chocolate spectrum, it needs a bit of a sparkle to cut through its lingering finish (both in texture and buttery flavor) . Enore Ceola, CEO of Freixenet-Mionetto says a classic couple in Italy is Baci milk chocolate with a hazelnut center and Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut, which offers that crunch to refresh the palate. Wine: $ 15, drizly.com, Chocolate: $ 22.90, mercato.com

Chardonnay & White Chocolate

The layers of white peach, pear and toasted nuts found in The Cutrer Vineyard Chardonnay 2019 perfectly complements white chocolate, especially this Shivering White Bar, textured with crispy puffed rice and a subtle vanilla flavor. Wine: $ 35, sonomacutrer.com, Chocolate: $ 15, lamaisonduchocolat.com

Pinot Noir & Dark Chocolate

With a delicate smoke and succulent notes of bright black cherries, Discoveries Kenwood Vineyards 2017 Monterey Pinot Noir resists the bitter flavors of dark chocolate, over 70 percent dark chocolate to be precise. Try an assortment of dark chocolates to experience the 70 percent difference versus 85 percent of in-mouth treats (and that’s already conveniently packaged in a gift format). Wine: $ 15, drizly.com, Chocolate: $ 24.95, godiva.com

Pinot Noir & Flavored Truffles

The notes of ripe red fruits found in Böen Pinot Noir elegantly refine the variety of flavored chocolates found in gift boxes at this time of year. To try this selection of flavored truffles which includes caramel and caramel truffles as well as fruit pulp truffles. Wine: $ 24, boenwines.com, Chocolate: $ 77, lamaisonduchocolat.com

Cabernet Sauvignon & Cocoa Truffles

when you have a gourmet and rich truffle coated with cocoa, a full-bodied Napa Cab offers the perfect pairing. Intense cocoa can often dry out the palate, but that’s where a sip of ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 presents spices and tannins to complement the persistence of the cocoa powder. Wine: $ 75, stagsleapwinecellars.com, Chocolate: $ 42.90, neuhauschocolates.com

Port & Extra Dark Chocolate

Celebrated as a dessert wine, port is sometimes considered to be the dessert alone. However, it is also an ideal accompaniment for more bitter chocolates. Try pairing Ramos Pinto, Quinta Do Bom Retiro Port Tawny 20 years old with one bar of 85 percent pure cocoa; sip port after a bite and see how the liquid embellishes chocolate sweetness. Port: $ 67.99, vivino.com, Chocolate: kellermannichocolate.com

Now that you have some ideas on how to pair a selection of the most popular wine varieties with the most popular types of chocolate, here are five gift sets that combine even more unique offers.

Build your own gift box with something splendid

This premium gift box company is known for their pre-curated gift boxes for all occasions, but they also have a database of hundreds of unique items to choose from. create your own package. Pair branded wine glasses like Corkcicle with a bottle stopper, wine candy, MAST chocolate bars and Sugarfina champagne bubbles for a well-balanced wine and chocolate. Starting at $ 42, someplendidco.com

DLISH French Wine Box

This year, the Milan curator of Rare Global Gifts expanded its product line to the United States and, as a result, launched two new Signature collections of gift sets. The NoLo collection includes a French Wine Box, consisting of a burgundy, two Ichendorf Milano wine glasses and three Cadesio Swiss chocolate bars. The gift not only showcases the best of European wine and chocolate, but also evokes a sense of travel for any intrepid friends you are looking to buy for. $ 243, dlish.us

Virtual Wine and Chocolate Pairings

The Bouchaine vineyards, based in Napa Valley, offer a 50-minute route virtual wine and chocolate pairing to better understand the nuances of how different wines affect the taste of chocolate and vice versa. Get this tasting for a gift, and your recipient will receive a bottle of current Cabernet Sauvignon Bouchaine Vineyards Howell Mountain and handcrafted chocolates from Woodhouse Chocolates, which they will enjoy together during the live virtual tasting. $ 160, bouchaine.com

CocoTutti Wine Box

Whether you are looking to satisfy a white or red palate, CocoTutti has you covered. Choose from their Cabernet or Tres Rouge box ($ 125, cocotutti.com), which pairs a full-bodied red wine with a variety of CocoTutti specialty chocolates, like their CocoQuintet bars and 40-piece minis, or opt for the Champagne and Chardonnay box ($ 135, cocotutti.com) for double the fun – two bottles of wine, respectively, and the unique flavors of CocoQuintet bars, like the almond butter crunch with cinnamon.

Harry & David Chocolate Treasure Box

Harry & David selections have become synonymous with gourmet gift boxes. The renowned food company presents a number of pre-selected boxes focused on chocolate and wine, but the Chocolate treasure box with wine is really all-inclusive for all-round madness. Pick a bottle or two of wine to go with anything covered in chocolate, including mints, truffles, pretzels, and even cakes. Starting at $ 89.99, harryanddavid.com