Looking for an incredible gift for that special someone? Trying to create a romantic atmosphere for a memorable evening? Nothing speaks romance better than wine and chocolate.
The wine community can literally produce volumes of guidelines and opinions on various food and wine pairings. There are endless opinions on what foods pair best with different wines. When paired correctly the flavor and taste of both food and wine should be enhanced, complemented and balanced by each other.
Pairing wine and chocolate can be tricky, but when you find the correct combination the results are outstanding. Below are listed some basic guidelines and rules of thumb to follow, but keep in mind that most of the fun in pairing wine and chocolate is experimentation - so be sure to do so!
Start with good quality chocolate - whether your preference is dark, milk or white chocolate; be sure not to skimp on quality ingredients. Retailers now specialize in chocolate specifically for pairing with wine.
The darker the wine, the darker the chocolate: this is a good guideline for a novice to follow when shopping for your first wine and chocolate pairing; but feel free to follow your own taste buds as you experiment with your favorite vintages.
Red wines typically pair well with dark chocolates; this is especially true of full-bodied red wines. A great wine from a local vineyard comes to mind when considering a dark chocolate pairing, Crane Creek Vineyards own Hellbender Red is a dry red wine crafted from the North American Norton grape and pairs wonderfully with rich dark chocolate.
Here are some general recommendations for types of red wines and chocolate:
Merlot - dark chocolate or milk chocolate
Cabernet Sauvignon - dark chocolate
Pinot Noir - either dark or milk chocolate
Zinfandel - dark chocolate
White wines as a general rule will pair better with milk chocolate than dark. Types that come to mind for chocolate pairings are as follows:
Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
As a general rule of thumb the sweeter the chocolate the sweeter the wine so when you consider white chocolate you may be relegated to the dessert wines and sherries. I have found port wine paired with dark chocolate to be a fine combination
If you are still not sure which way to go, you can always visit online merchants such as ShopWineStuff.com for wine and chocolate gift baskets in any number of sizes and combinations. They also stock a variety of chocolate specifically for wine pairings.
No matter which type of chocolate or wine you choose, remember to relax, sit back and enjoy the flavors and sensations of a delightful experience which is chocolate and wine.
Michele DeZayas writes from the North Georgia mountains and is a contributing editor for wine-for-beginners.com. To read more articles from this author please visit: wine-for-beginners.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michele_DeZayas
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Wine and Chocolate - A Wonderful Romantic Treat
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Top 5 Trends in Chocolate in 2012
There really is no bad or out of season chocolates. We all love those little bite size morsels wrapped in silver foil. However, chocolatiers are now catering to adult palates. They are true artisans of gourmet chocolate that are developing visual and sensual delights. These are not mass produced candies.
The top trends of 2012 are:
1. Dark chocolate combined with super fruits: Dark chocolate in itself has been proven to be "healthy". With its antioxidants it is said to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and help keep the cardiovascular system running properly. To make it even more desirable to health conscious consumers it is being combined with super fruits that also contain these antioxidants.
2. Artisan Chocolates: These chocolates are true works of art. Homemade treasures. They are not the chocolate that is poured into a heart mold and popped out. The cocoa is selected for aroma and texture. It is quality versus quantity. The chocolates are hand decorated or filled with high quality ingredients. Some look too good to bite into.
3. Chocolate covered tropical fruit: Strawberries are not the only fruit for dipping anymore. These gourmet chocolates bring you to the islands. They are sweet and tangy. Varieties include coconut, orange, passion fruit, and guava. You can hear the ocean when you bite into them. You can hear the breezes of a tropical rainforest.
4. Salt in Chocolate: Sea Salt from around the world has become a specialty food. Gourmet chocolate bars, truffles, wafers are all being sprinkled with finishing salts. Salts from all around the world are being used. Pink salt looks beautiful on white chocolate. The flavor is unique that satisfies both the sweet and salty craving.
5. Spicy: Hot! Hot! Hot! Chocolates are combing spicy jalapenos, chili powder, and smoky chipotles to name a few. As you smell the aroma and chew into the creamy chocolate the spice is the last to come. It is an eye opening surprise. You may want to have a big glass of milk on the side.
In today's recession more and more people are buying quality chocolates. Some feel it is a small piece of feel good that you can have daily for a very minimal cost. Also, being so high in antioxidants you have a great reason to splurge on quality chocolates. It is worth the extra cost to try some of these visual and tasty delights.
Debbie Mazzie is the owner of http://www.northjerseyfoodies.com. A website that finds specialty, gourmet, and home made foods in North Jersey.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Mazzie
