Tag Archives: valentine’s day

The Top 3 Wine & Chocolate Pairings

Drink wine with chocolate, we say. Not just because it’s Valentine’s Day. But because the two are great together – when you choose wisely – and they should be enjoyed in tandem whenever you’re in the mood. Not just on February 14th.

How to Pair: Though wine and chocolate are great on their own, it can be challenging to make them sing together. For a balanced pairing, select a wine that is sweeter than the chocolate (the percentage of chocolate will give you an idea of its sweetness: The higher the cacao, the lower the sugar/sweetness). When in doubt, pair milk chocolate (high sugar %) with lighter-bodied wines. Pair fuller-bodied, fruit-forward wines with darker chocolate (high cacao %).

And as always, toss all guidelines out the window if your palate tells you otherwise. The best pairing is the one you like.

To help you get your creative juices flowing, here are our top three chocolate and wine pairings:

chocolatecake_wineDark Chocolate Cake with Marenco “Pineto” Brachetto d’Acqui

A prime example that illustrates the beauty of choosing a wine that’s sweeter than the chocolate. This bright red sparkling wine from Piedmont is slightly sweet, with fine citrus blossom and stone fruit notes, all of which complement the cake’s dense, rich flavors and mouthfeel.

chocolatepieces_wineValrhona Chocolate with JL Chave “Mon Coeur” Cotes-du-Rhone

This is a fun one for all you serious dark chocolate lovers. It’s rooted in the trusted “What grows together goes together” wine pairing adage, as Valrhona chocolate is made just miles from where the wine in made, in France’s Rhone Valley. Use the chocolate in your favorite (not so sweet) homemade dessert, or simply let a minimum 70%-cacao square melt on your tongue while sipping this bone dry grenache/syrah blend.

chocstrawberries_wineChocolate Dipped Strawberries with Tintero Moscato d’Asti

Though this fizzy, slightly sweet wine can stand on its own as dessert, we love it when paired with fruit! The fresh, lively character of this white wine, again from Piedmont, is a natural partner to the light, tart strawberry fruit, and the creamy chocolate.

We hope you enjoy our pairings – and encourage you to share your thoughts or ideas on others!

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Drink Your Chocolate

Skip the chewable chocolate this Valentine’s Day and give your sweetie the sippable sort. We’re crushing on a few bottles made with real chocolate and genuine skill, those that are good enough to be enjoyed year-round.

Meletti Cioccolato
Thick, dark, creamy, this Italian liqueur is pure pourable decadence. It’s made in Italy with milk and Dutch chocolate, sugar and alcohol, and is intensely rich and smooth with a balanced sweetness. We’re crazy for the Cioccolato any way it’s served: cold & neat (think adult pudding pop), warmed, over ice cream, or as a mixer in any number of cocktails.
vday_meletti

 

Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
This full-flavored dark beer made with chocolate malt and real chocolate is luxurious without being overtly sweet. It’s certainly a satisfying treat on its own, but for something special, consider combining it in a frosty mug with vanilla ice cream and bourbon for the ultimate grown-up float.
vday_stout

 

Nickle Creek Decadence
A Rhody original, from Foster! This beautiful bottle, reminiscent of Port, has warm flavors of cherry and plum that make way for a dark, bittersweet chocolate finish. It’s a delicious way to end a romantic dinner.
vday_decadence

Cheers and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: Custom Engraved Wine & Glassware

Custom Etched Wine Bottles
Rhody Heart design with 3 lines of custom text.

Looking for a unique Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetie this year? Etch your personalized message directly on a wine, champagne, or whiskey bottle! We can even engrave their monogram on mugs, flasks, and wine glasses, or you can choose from our selection of Valentine’s Day glassware. For ordering details, please visit www.bottlesfinewine.com/engraving.

Order Now!
Personalized Glass Flask
Love Potion No.9 design on Glass Flask
Rhode Island Beer Mug
Rhody Heart design on beer mug.
Mason Jar Mug for Valentine's Day Gift
Doily Heart design on mason jar.
XOXO Shot Glasses - Custom Engrave a Monogram or Letter
Single letter monogram on shot glasses.
Moustache, Lips Beer Glass - Add a Personalized Message
Moustache and Lips design on pub glass.

Valentine Gifts for Wine Lovers

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! To help you find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, the folks here at Bottles Fine Wine have complied a list of wine lover’s gift ideas, available at our Providence, Rhode Island wine store. From wine and champagne engraving, to their favorite wine, we’ve got you covered. We also gift wrap!

rhodyheart_600

Engraved Wine Bottles & Glasses
Let your sweetie know you care! An artfully engraved wine bottle with a special message right on the bottle makes a memorable and thoughtful gift for loved ones. Our in-house engraving services allow you to customize bottles and glassware, starting at just $10 plus the cost of the item.
*Monday, Feb. 11th 2013 is the last day to place an order for Valentine’s Day.* 

 

Le Nez du Vin Aroma Kit
Aromas account for 85% of taste when you are enjoying wine, and to help people describe what they smell from a glass of wine, Jean Lenoir created Le Nez du Vin. This kit contains 6 aromas and an instructional manual, honed to help develop your wine tasting skills. Learn to identify combinations of aromas in grape varietals such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. $29.99

“Il Colle” Rosé Wine
A sparking Rosé wine from the Veneto region of Italy, “Il Colle” is the perfect wine for Valentine’s Day to give to your loved ones. We also gift wrap! $12.99

Perfect Cube Trays
Cocktails are always better cold, so why not enjoy them with some style? In a festive Valentine red color, Perfect Cube Trays create fun, perfectly square ice cubes that look great in drinks. Set of 2 for $11.99

Chocolate Shop Wine
“The Chocolate Lover’s Wine,” Chocolate Shop is a red wine with blended with the natural flavors of chocolate. With aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate, we recommend enjoying a glass of this ruby red wine with chocolate and your special someone. $13.99
 
 
Happy Valentine’s Day!