The good news: there really aren’t rules when it comes to pairing chocolate and wine. Everyone’s taste preferences are different. In other words, YOU GET TO TRY EVERYTHING. The bad news: we’re talking about chocolate and wine! No bad news here. (Just make sure you drink responsibly.)

Since part of the fun is trying different combinations and seeing what you like best, a chocolate and wine pairing can be a fun activity to plan with your sweetie or a group of friends – especially around Valentine’s Day! And, you can make it as informal or formal as you want. For example, you could get a selection of chocolates and wines and casually try various ones, or you can make a tasting scorecard and record your pairing flavor notes as you go.

Here are some general tips when pairing chocolate and wine: 

• Pair lighter chocolates with lighter bodied or even sweet wines.
• Pair more intense chocolates with more full-bodied wines.
• Look for similar flavor notes (nutty, fruity, earthy) or look for contrasts that complement well.