By Cynthia Jessup
First the melting of snow and now the melting of hearts; people are soon to become smitten. Love is given special attention during the month of February. When people think of Valentine’s Day, they become abuzz on how to express their affection. Nothing sets the mood like chocolate and wine. Local wine merchant Michael Pierce, owner of The Wine House, says: “Chocolate and wine pairings are actually quite difficult because of the adverse pairings on the palate. The wines usually associated with these pairings are sweet wines, also known as dessert wines. In creating complementary pairs, it requires tasting of the wine and picking out its best components and using our imagination.” He describes three sample pairings and how they react with one another. These wines are available for purchase should you desire after sampling them.
A sparkling white wine, moscato d’asti, which is imported from Piedmont, a region in Northern Italy, is joined by a white chocolate-covered grape. With the alcohol content of 6 percent, the wine and its natural bubbles clean out the palate with the sweetness of the grape and leave a sweet and crisp aftertaste. Similar outcomes can come from a pairing of white chocolate bread pudding, fruit pies or cake.
Another combination of this contrary couple is a dark chocolate crisp with velvety red wine, malvasia d’asti, also from Piedmont, Italy. The alcohol content of this wine is 7 percent. Other things that can be served with this dessert wine are chocolate mousse or anything with a sweet marinade sauce.
A robust ruby port imported from Portugal is served with a sample of richly textured chocolate covered bacon. It can be also served with serving of cheese or red fruit desserts.The bitterness of the chocolate highlights the hearty texture and sweet flavor of the wine. So like wine, people find their significant others by complementing personalities.
The Wine House will be hosting a chocolate and wine pairing event in honor of the Chocolate Lovers Festival.
Chocolate Lovers Festival at The Wine House
3950 University Drive, Suite 212, Fairfax
Feb. 6, noon
$20
Find all our Sex, Love and Ghosting articles on this month’s pop-up blog here.
