Chocolate and wine are arguably two of life’s greatest pleasures. Alone, they’re exceptional – together, they’re phenomenal. So why not double up on this decadent duo with a do-it-yourself JUSTIN wine and chocolate pairing at home?

Before you start selecting wine and chocolate, here are a few tips to keep in mind. First, check the tasting notes to get an idea of the wine’s flavors. The goal of a great pairing is to balance the tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, and salty – so that the wine and chocolate enhance each other and allow subtle flavors to emerge.

Opt for similar style and weight. Try to pair lighter, more delicate chocolates with lighter-bodied wines. Likewise, the bolder the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be.

For example, dark chocolate pairs well with tannin-driven wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. Milk chocolate complements a full-bodied Merlot. White chocolate pairs beautifully with white wines such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Its creaminess softens the acidity in these wines. That said, white chocolate also works wonderfully with a sweeter dessert wine like Sunny’s Block.

If you want to take your chocolate and wine experience to the next level, visit us at JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery for our “Chocolatier for a Day” experience. This three-hour immersive event is the chocolate lover’s dream, where you’ll learn all about the chocolate-making process from our in-house chocolatier, design and paint your own custom truffles, and take them home. While your creations are being finished, you’ll indulge in a wine and chocolate tasting featuring our award-winning JUSTIN wines.

Enjoy your JUSTIN and chocolate pairing. And remember – there are no wrong combinations. Everyone’s palate is different. We think you’ll agree: chocolate and JUSTIN are a match made in heaven.