Desserts and wine are the final touches for the all-romantic day that give it a sweet end. Whether you are at a restaurant and need a guide or planning your own dinner at home, these four pairings are sure to add that final touch.
Chocolate covered strawberries
Wine and dessert pairings are typically paired with something specific. In this scenario, chocolate, specifically milk chocolate, is the star on which we will concentrate our wine pairing.
Chocolate and wine seem like they would be an excellent combination. However, there’s something in both that can make this idea dry. It comes down to tannin’s. These two aphrodisiacs have a lot of polyphenols. These compounds provide antioxidants and give us that bitter taste. As a result, the type of chocolate you pair with it can ruin the experience. Additionally, the variety and style of wine you choose to drink alongside it can also impact the overall experience.
In any dessert and wine pairing, we ensure the wine is sweeter than the dessert. This helps us find a good balance. This basic rule is sometimes meant to be broken. However, when dealing with sweet on sweet, think carefully, or the pair will clash. Milk chocolate provides a good middle ground. It is not too strong or bitter. It is a lovely pairing for a wine such as Pinot Noir. Its fruit flavors will enhance the strawberries and not overpower the chocolate. Similar in weight, the pairing comes as a delight.
Recommended: Look towards a Californian Pinot Noir as these are more fruit forward. Anderson Valley and Sonoma Valley are two Ava’s I usually consider.
If you’re looking for something on the bubbly side, then Rosé Champagne is a good choice. Choose it if you decide to go with white chocolate instead.
Creme Brulee
Tawny Port, a classic, is typically aged beforehand and ready to consume when bought. Recognized for its nutty flavors, it is a fortified wine that is sweeter than the dessert and high in alcohol. Authentic Port wine comes from Portugal in the Douro Valley. Grapes are grown here and spend their time aging in pipas (small wood barrels). Tawny Port is usually a blend of different vintages. You’ll find bottles labeled as being 10 years, 20 years and so on. Taste notes of dried fruits, vanilla, and a silky texture that will pair beautifully with this creamy dessert.
Recommended: Look for a 20 year. It has a fuller body. More notes will be expressed compared to its earlier years.
Molton Chocolate Cake
Icewine (Eiswein) has a lower percentage of alcohol than most dessert wines. However, it is still a sought-after wine for its unique qualities. The grapes that can create this type of wine must endure freezes. Fellow grapes like Vidal, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc are typically used. We, however, will focus on Cabernet Franc. The berry-driven tastes followed by its acidity fit perfectly. They match the chocolate richness of our dessert with raspberries. Icewine is challenging to produce. Many producers can vouch for this. If the weather is not correct, only limited quantities will result, if any.
The harsh winters it can endure are challenging for those who seek to produce this wine. Therefore, Icewine is smaller in quantity. It is also higher in price. But don’t let this derail you; once you’ve had it, it will be memorable.
Recommended: Cabernet Franc from the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. Canada produces the most Icewine, but you can also find this style in the US. The Finger Lakes region in New York is widely recognized as well.
Finally, on our list is the wine that becomes the dessert by being infused into it.
Rosé Sorbet
Not to be confused with sherbet, it does not contain dairy. This frozen dessert is recognized for its sweetness and fruity ingredients. It’s a sweet treat in the summer, but why wait? This sorbet is a treat for those who love the icy sweetness on not-so-warm days. Add a Rosé wine, and it becomes a fun choice for you and your other half. We use a dry Rosé because we don’t want an overly sweet dessert. The wine will incorporate berry aromas and robust flavors.
The ingredients for this are simple:
- Frozen raspberries to turn into a puree
- Simple Syrup
- Fresh raspberries to add in the glass
- & lastly the Rosé wine of your picking. I recommend the dry Rosé wines or Rosado from Spain. They are full of character. These wines are one of my favorites for something like this or just on its own.
And there it is, good and sweet pairings to enjoy together.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
– Silk & Luna
Crimson & Cork 
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