Chocolate & Wine | Both Scientific Shortcuts to Happiness

Chocolate & Wine | Exploring the Combination

All Chocolate and Wine are healthy foods; both somewhat addictive, but both especially delicious. Although historically considered an unlikely combination due to the clash between the bitterness of chocolate and the tannins of wine, enthusiasts are now exploring the combination of these two indulgences.

The idea that wine and chocolate can make a harmonious pair comes from the wine community, where the base cacao flavour of commercial dark chocolate is now becoming known as a complement to many red wines. In this approach, wine is often in the foreground, with chocolate playing a supporting role.

But now that the fields of wine and chocolate are intersecting, it’s intriguing to see how the spotlight might shift. The world of fine chocolate has a history of borrowing ideas and protocols from the wine, coffee and cheese industries -ideas like terroir, tasting and other aspects, to help people better understand and appreciate the nuances of fine chocolate.

While this ‘borrowing’ can be useful to some extent, chocolate tasting has been relegated to a secondary role. But it is essential to recognise that fine bean-to-bar chocolate can now more than ever stand alone, without the need to constantly copy information from other fine foods. From the chocolate lover’s perspective, the combination should therefore accentuate the chocolate, making it take center stage, while wine gracefully takes on its supporting role in enhancing the overall experience.

Chocolate & Wine | Some Pairing Insights

With the holidays – the heydays of chocolate and wine – approaching, we would like to share some of our insights with you.

‘Disclaimer’:  Before we dive in -a friendly reminder: these insights/guidelines are not cast in stone, nor are they scientific laws. Think of them as gentle nudges rather than strict rules. Let your taste buds lead the way and use our insights as a guideline…

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COMBINATIONS 
The first step involves understanding which chocolates and wines will dance harmoniously in your mouth. A crucial note here is that chocolate, with its rich, fat-based composition, requires a quick and smooth melt for an optimal taste experience. This is why room temperature is critical, as cold environments can hinder the chocolate’s melting, flavour release and overall enjoyment. This certainly applies when pairing. Drinking a cold drink while tasting chocolate lowers the temperature in your mouth and limits the flavour profile of the chocolate.

RED WINE’S EMBRACE
In terms of temperature, this often means red wines steal the spotlight when pairing chocolate and wine, especially when indulging in single-origin dark chocolate bars. The warmer serving temperature of red wines complements the complex flavour profiles of chocolate. For example, the deep cherry notes in a red wine can complement the dried fruits, sweet and spicy notes of the Guatemala Finca Paso Cocodrilo, creating a symphony of flavours.

UNDERSTANDING FLAVOUR PROFILES 
Temperature is not the only factor that plays a role; the flavour profile of red wine generally harmonizes better with higher percentage chocolates. From tannic woody Malbec to a fruity zinfandel, finding common ground or embracing contrasting flavours can take the tasting experience to the next level. But keep in mind that all wines have some acidity. Although this is a good quality, the perception of it can be increased due to the sugar in chocolate. Due to the added sugar in chocolate, the wine will have to match the sweetness to avoid being perceived as sour or bitter. Finding the right balance creates a delicious harmony where the acidity enhances the overall taste experience without overpowering the sweet symphony of white chocolate.

WHITE CHOCOLATE & WHITE WINE
Unlike its darker counterparts, white chocolate boasts a creamier texture and a higher sugar content. This composition translates into a quicker and silkier melt, making it a more suitable partner for sweeter and white wines.

SCIENTIFIC INSIGHTS
Scientifically speaking, polyphenols are the unsung heroes, providing health benefits but also contributing to bitterness. Pairing a dry wine with bittersweet chocolate can result in an overload of polyphenols, which can affect the overall experience.

COMPLIMENTARY OR CLASHING FLAVOUR PROFILES 
The idea here is that you have flexibility in both directions. If the wine is on the sweeter side, it can offset the perceived sweetness of the chocolate -without necessarily making it bitter. On the other hand, if the wine leans toward fruity, it can overshadow the fruitiness in the chocolate. Essentially, you have two options: aim for a combination where they share a common flavour to tie them together, or opt for drastically different flavours that complement each other.
And remember: all wines have some acidity. Although this is a good quality, the perception of it can be increased due to the sugar in chocolate. Due to the added sugar in chocolate, the wine will have to match the sweetness so as not to come across as sour or bitter due to the sugar in the chocolate.

MOUTHFEEL MATTERS
Tannins and cold: It is recommended to choose a wine with minimal tannins, as excessive tannins can weaken the taste perception of the chocolate. As for champagne, with its cold, sour bubbles, the bubbles and cold can numb your taste buds, so be careful.
Order of Tasting: From Light to Dark: Start by with the lightest wines and chocolates, gradually progressing towards more intense pairings. This approach allows you to enjoy the subtleties in each pairing, ensuring you don’t miss out on the nuanced flavours.

Our Team’s Favourite Chocolate-Wine Pairings

It wasn’t difficult to ask our team about their personal favourite combinations. Each and every one of them has a passion for good food and fine flavours, and they are all intrigued by origins and local cultures. We had to restrict them severely, and have only put down one of their proposals for you :-)

If you are curious about Katrien’s, Jan’s, Coralie’s and Ricardo’s other surprising pairings, insights and tips, please feel free to contact them. But be warned and prepared that their infectious enthusiasm and extensive knowledge can suddenly take you an hour further… The SILVA team really can’t stop talking or making suggestions when it comes to cacao, chocolate and other fine flavours…

TIP FROM KATRIEN DELAET | CHIEF CACAOPRENEUR

One of my favourite wines is Ànima Negra, AN 2019 -which is made in a winery in Felanitx, Mallorca. This bodega was founded in 1994 by Miquel Àngel Cerda & y Pere Obrador who are enthusiasts and supporters of Mallorcan native grape varieties. Their AN 2019 consists of 95% “Callet” -a red wine grape varietal that is native to the island of Mallorca. AN 2019 has a very intense flavour profile with tones of black current, some very spicy notes and pleasant and elegant tannins.
This wine pairs perfectly with Nicaraguan V’vaya cacao -with intense chocolate notes, hints of blue berries and soft tannins. And coincidentally -or not ;-), our friends from Maüa Chocolate in Mallorca have an amazing 75% dark chocolate made from this Nicaraguan V’vaya cacao.
The artisans and craftsmen of both bodega Ànima Negra and Maüa Chocolate choose to work with products from their land, with respect for nature and taste. A smart combination, both in terms of flavours and values. A match made in heaven, and you can taste that!

TIP FROM JAN VERMEULEN | CHOCOLATE PARTNERSHIPS

My favorite grape is the Malbec variety- often characterized by its notes of black fruit and spicy undertones. One of my personal favourite wines is the Alpasion Grand Malbec, Valle de Uco, Argentina. This is a silky wine with classic blueberry profile, subtle hints of wood and spices, and soft tannins – a perfect pairing with our Vietnam Dong Nai Beans. The spiciness of the cacao bean complements the wine, yet surprised with its white tobacco flavours that add an extra layer to the tannins in the wine. A very powerful combination!

TIP FROM CORALIE GAUTHIER | CHOCOLATE PARTNERSHIPS

Being from the Alsace region myself, my top pick for a sublime chocolate and wine pairing would undoubtedly start with a local wine. I’m thinking of the “pinot gris vendanges tardives” from Pfaffenheim or the “pinot gris rangen” from Thann. Both are very sweet wines and my personal favourites. The very sweet and fruity notes of these wines would complement the Macambo -with its delightful absence of bitterness and interesting range of mineral tones, perfectly. And while the Rangen is renowned for its volcanic, smoky, mineral, and pear flavors, which complement the Macambo very well, the Pfaffenheim adds a burst of peachy richness to the pairing.  Both wines pair perfectly with our Macambo.

TIP FROM RICARDO ULRIX | CHOCOLATE PARTNERSHIPS

Because I live in the heart of the demarcated Douro region, it is natural to propose a Vinho do Porto. My choice is ‘Quinta Da Pacheca L.B.V. 2017‘ * -currently the most recent ‘LBV’ year/vintage from the Douro region. The sweetness and concentrated notes of ripe berries of this Portuguese wine pair perfectly with a fruity dark chocolate made with the authentic Chuao from Venezuela – of which Silva Cacao is the exclusive distributor on the European market.
Besides the fact that this cacao from Chuao and wine from the Douro match fantastically and are both extremely beautiful products, both origins also have a point of similarity. Both Douro** and Chuao*** are part of the cultural and natural heritage recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Committee and promote national and local pride in the country’s natural and man-made wonders….

Happy Holidays | Cheers!

With Christmas and the New Year approaching, we send you our warmest wishes for joyful moments and delicious combinations -whether you’re exploring the scientific side or simply enjoying the festive flavours.

We would also like to express our gratitude for the past year; Thank you! In 2023, we have walked an amazing path together. A road that led to rich flavours, flourishing forests, thriving farmers and a brighter future. Our collaboration is a fundamental part of this journey and we eagerly look forward to the continued success and growth our partnership has in store for 2024!