The sweet truth about chocolate & wine

Their studies show that the health benefits of wine and chocolate include reduction of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Furthermore, they will reduce the risk for heart diseases and cancer. The pairing also improves the blood flow to the brain and heart, making blood platelets less sticky and able to clot. You probably want to stop reading and down a whole bottle of wine. But we must add that wine and chocolate must be consumed in moderation to increase your health. And drop the chocolate candy bar and the slice of chocolate cake, because not all chocolate types are good for you. Stick to one glass and a small piece of dark chocolate a day. Otherwise you will end up with other sets of problems.

So if it’s good for you, why not combine the two and throw a Wine and Chocolate party. We have some tips for you in order to successfully pair chocolate and wine. Which ever wine varietal or chocolate type you choose, there is one rule of thumb: The wine should be at least as sweet as or sweeter than the chocolate. Otherwise, the taste may lean more towards bitter or sour. When pairing wines with chocolate, your best bet is to match lighter, more elegant flavoured chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be. But to make wine and chocolate pairing easier, you may simply refer to the tables below. 

White wines have a light body which goes very well with milk chocolates. But if you are feeling adventurous, you might also experiment with white wine and white chocolate pairing.
 

When it comes to dessert wine, you should toss the rules about wine and chocolate pairings. Champagnes seem to go well with almost any type of chocolate, while Port and Sherry are on opposite ends of the chocolate spectrum.

There is still a debate whether the pairing of wine and chocolate can or can’t be done. The only way to know for sure is to try it for yourself. So stop debating and start indulging!! Can we get an Amen?