The key to creating a memorable pairing is choosing the right wines and chocolates. In this guide, we will provide everything you need to host a special chocolate and wine pairing party at home with Vine To Bar, the perfect dark chocolate to enhance your experience.

Why Host a Chocolate and Wine Pairing Party

When you think about a chocolate and wine tasting, maybe the first thing that comes to mind is a dinner party or something similar. Although this is true, there are so many other ways to go about hosting such an event. A wine and chocolate tasting experience is a fun theme for girls' nights, bridal showers, 21st birthday parties, retirement parties, and even business events. A pairing event enhances a gathering by giving your guests a reason to engage with one another and learn something new.

Hosting a chocolate and wine tasting party can be as formal or casual as you like. You may serve a full meal or simply offer snacks and appetizers for grazing. You might have a more formal wine presentation with detailed information about each wine using tasting cards.

Or keep it more casual by providing general information about the wines and letting tasters explore the flavors on their own. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the company of your guests! Regardless of what style of event you are planning, there are a few things to keep in mind to make your wine and chocolate tasting party both fun and memorable.

Download the Vine to Bar Guide to hosting a chocolate and wine tasting party, complete with tasting cards you can print.

How Do You Pair Wine and Chocolate?

The key to pairing wine and chocolate is to consider, and match, the intensity of flavors. For example, pair lighter chocolates with lighter wine. For the best experience, pair bold, tannic red wines such as cabernet sauvignon with rich dark chocolate. When in doubt, it's best to choose a wine that is sweeter than chocolate.

What Are The Best Wines for Chocolate Pairing?

Wines with a hint of residual sugar will pair nicely with a chocolate tasting. When selecting your wines for chocolate pairing, consider that:

● Smoother red wines with soft tannins and higher-tannin reds like cabernet sauvignon are ideal matches for chocolate. You’ll often find that the tasting notes of these wines highlight the flavors of rich ripe fruit, which is perfect for chocolate pairing.

● White wines characterized by oak and richness are also a good choice for pairing with chocolate.

● Lighter-bodied wines such as fruitier rosé wines are another excellent choice for pairing.

Are There Wines Not Recommended for Chocolate Pairings?

We recommend avoiding the following for wine and chocolate pairing: 

● Dry, high-acid, unoaked whites such as sauvignon blanc.

● “Bone dry” red wines with the highest tannins or herbal/pyrazine flavors.

● The highest acid and most tannic Pinot Noirs.

What Are the Best Chocolates for Wine Pairing?

As we have noted, the key to a successful wine and chocolate pairing is choosing wines that are similar in intensity and body to the chocolate. Vine to Bar is the perfect dark chocolate for wine pairings. It has a complex flavor that elevates the aromatics in the wine. Vine to Bar is known as the Winemaker’s Chocolate because it is the world’s only premium dark chocolate to feature the smooth, fruit-forward flavor of WellVine™ Chardonnay Marc. Read more about that below.

What You Need for a Wine and Chocolate Tasting Party

For wine and chocolate pairings, aim for at least three flights for the best experience

Vary the dark chocolate pairing with a variety of red wine and white wine selections. Here are some suggestions:

Flight #1: Vine to Bar Dark Chocolate Tasting Squares

● New World Chardonnay with Oak, La Crema, Cambria Estate, Kendall-Jackson or Stonestreet, Legacy
● Rosé of Pinot Noir: Cambria Estate, La Crema, WillaKenzie, Hartford Court

Flight #2: Chardonnay Smoked Salt And Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate Tasting Squares

● Zinfandel: Murphy-Goode, Hartford Family, Kendall-Jackson
● Syrah: Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve, Cambria Estate
● Merlot: Freemark Abbey, Matanzas Creek Winery

Flight #3: Cherry And Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate Tasting Squares

● Pinot Noir: La Crema, Cambria Estate, Hartford Court
● Zinfandel: Murphy-Goode, Hartford Family, Kendall-Jackson
● Merlot: Freemark Abbey, Matanzas Creek Winery
● Rosé of Pinot Noir: Cambria Estate, La Crema, WillaKenzie

Flight #4: Almonds With Pink Himalayan Salt Dark Chocolate Tasting Squares

● Pinot Noir: La Crema, Cambria Estate, Hartford Court
● Zinfandel: Murphy-Goode, Hartford Family, Kendall-Jackson
● Merlot: Freemark Abbey, Matanzas Creek Winery
● Cabernet Sauvignon: Arrowood, Kendall-Jackson, Vintner’s Reserve, Carmel Road

Other tasting wine options include a chardonnay that works well with any of the chocolate flavors listed above. Consider these: La Crema, Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve and Grand Reserve, Cambria Estate, and Stonestreet Estate.

Vine to Bar dark chocolate tasting squares are available in 8-count, 15-count, and 50-count options so you can order precisely how much chocolate you need for a wine and chocolate tasting event of any size. Vine to Bar chocolate bars are also an option, available in the same chocolate flavors listed above.

What Else Should You Consider For a Wine And Chocolate Pairing Party?

● Offer a variety of fresh fruits, nuts, and water crackers as a palate cleanser between bites.

● Serve a pitcher of fresh room-temperature water.

Let's talk about wine glasses. For a truly authentic wine and chocolate tasting experience, the right wine glasses allow you to smell and taste the wine to its fullest potential.

This guide from Kendall Jackson provides a great introduction to the ideal wine glasses for different wines. When you're ordering your chocolates, think ahead and consider assembling memorable goodie bags for your guests. Vine to Bar offers this assortment of chocolate bars so your guests can continue to enjoy these new flavors of dark chocolate for their own wine and chocolate delights at home. And since it's unlikely that you will have leftover chocolate, don't forget to order some for yourself, too!

Why the Chardonnay Marc in Vine To Bar Chocolate Creates An Extraordinary Dark Chocolate

Vine to Bar is the world’s first premium dark chocolate made with WellVine™ Chardonnay Marc. WellVine™ Chardonnay Marc is an ingredient made from the spent grapes of the winemaking process. There is no alcohol or wine in Vine to Bar chocolates. The Chardonnay Marc tempers the bitter notes in rich dark chocolate and brings beneficial nutrients that can contribute to better gut and heart health, delivering a better-for-you but indulgent experience. Using the whole grape in winemaking makes a difference to the earth since less needs to be reabsorbed by the land. What was once a by-product of winemaking has been re-imagined into this new superfood, truly a win for our palates and planet.

Download Our Free Wine and Chocolate Tasting Party Guide

Hosting a wine and chocolate pairing party is a great way to enjoy an evening with friends, or to celebrate a special occasion. Remember, hosting a chocolate and wine pairing party is similar to hosting any other event. What makes it special is the experience you create for your guests through the elements of food, conversation, and ambiance. Before beginning your wine and chocolate tasting experience, be sure to download the Vine to Bar Guide to Pairing Wine with Chocolate, complete with tasting cards you can print.