Red Wine & Chocolate
Leaning on the experts, Yakima Valley wineries recommend the following pairing techniques:

• Let it melt - Taste the chocolate and allow it to melt on your tongue just prior to sipping wine.
• Tannins don't mix - Avoid wines and chocolates that are overly tannic in nature, which compete with each other and result in a muddled and flat combination.
• Salted combinations - Buttery or sweet whites pair exceptionally well with salted milk chocolate.
• Savory and smooth - Wines with savory notes, such as smoke, wood or meaty qualities, are outstanding when paired with chocolate with a smooth texture and similar savory notes, such as leather, cheese or smoke.
• Bold similarities - Bold, full-bodied wines pair very well with chocolates that are hearty and rustic in texture with a similarly pronounced flavor.
• Two of a kind - Wines or chocolate with similarly distinct notes, such as black pepper, can be mutually enhanced when paired together.
• Beginners luck - The easiest method for a successful pairing is to select chocolates that contain berries, dried fruit or nuts.