Champagne and Chocolate
Champagne and chocolate, sounds delightful right? These two indulgences can be enjoyed separately on their own, but what if we pair them together? When paired, they create an amazing culinary experience. Separately, there is champagne and chocolate in celebrations and special occasions, and these two are often combined by guests unknowingly. They are a perfect combination for either intimate or large-scale events. Understanding the unique flavours of both champagne and chocolate can elevate your own culinary experience and may motivate you to create more combinations!
The Allure of Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine that originates from the Champagne province in France and is striking with its fizziness, acidity, and complex flavours. The types of grapes from which champagne is made include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, and they each have their fair share of contributions to champagne’s characteristics. The bubbles found in champagne clear the mouth, which makes it appropriate for pairing with food that is sumptuous and rich in flavour such as food prepared with cocoa.
The Richness of Chocolate
Chocolate is made from cacao beans and comes in different forms such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. Each chocolate also has its flavour profile:
- Dark Chocolate: Dark Chocolate is rich and intense, and from the word itself, it has a bitterness to it that milk chocolate and white chocolate do not have. Dark Chocolate typically contains a higher cocoa content which offers deep flavours as well.
- Milk Chocolate: Usually creamier and sweeter, milk chocolate has a lower cocoa percentage and is often enriched with milk, hence the smooth texture.
- White Chocolate: This is made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids, white chocolate does not have any cocoa solids but has a sweet and creamy flavour.
Pairing Champagne with Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate and Brut Champagne
The dark chocolate flavour is bold, which pairs so well with brut champagne. The brut champagne’s dryness helps round out the bitterness in the dark chocolate. For the best pairing, use good quality dark chocolate with 70% cocoa or more. The fruity and nutty undertones in the champagne enhance the complexity of the chocolate for that perfect bite and sip.
- Milk Chocolate and Demi-Sec Champagne
The sweetness of demi-sec champagne matches well with milk chocolate as it has more sugar dosage added. The sweetness of a demi-sec will complement the creamy texture of milk chocolate and will give a luscious mouthfeel. Those who love the sweetness can enjoy this pairing since the bubbles in the rosé help to cut through the richness of the chocolate.
- White Chocolate and Rosé Champagne
White chocolate’s creamy sweet profile is well suited to rosé champagne. The fruity notes in rosé, generally coming from Pinot Noir, complement the sweetness of white chocolate and introduce refreshing acidity. The best pairings for this would be dessert courses for ending a meal on the light and indulgent side.
The combination of champagne and chocolate never gets old, offering a quick but enjoyable experience. Knowing the basic characteristics of both chocolates and champagnes, one can come up with combinations that work best. Whether you are toasting a milestone or pampering yourself, the delightful fusion of champagne and chocolate is sure to provide one with a decadent treat.