Valentine’s Day Chocolate and Wine Pairings Make So Much Sense

There may be no better time to indulge in wine and chocolate than on Valentine’s Day. It’s sweet, it’s sexy, and it can definitely score you some brownie points for thoughtfulness. However, creating a pairing that is actually delicious is not as simple as picking a random bottle of wine from the wine rack and playing chocolate roulette with the sampler box your sweetie brought home.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat, $25 on Amazon

A Library of Mini Exotic Chocolate Bars, 9 Count

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“Wine and chocolate certainly have a complex relationship. There are pairings that work beautifully and others that completely clash,” says Melissa Rockwell, direct to consumer sales manager at Southold, New York-based Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery.

Sparkling Pointe is known for its chocolate and wine pairings, a daily staple on the menu at the winery’s tasting house. In fact, the tastings have become so popular with the clientele, says Rockwell, many purchase exotic-flavored chocolate bars and wine to take home to entertain friends and family.

But when it comes to creating your own wine and chocolate pairings from scratch, Rockwell says there are a few things to take into account to ensure you’re hitting the perfect note. The most important of these, she says, is to pay attention to the sweetness and tannin profile in both the wine and the chocolate you are pairing together.

Away From the Box

“I generally tend to abide by the thought process: Your wine should be sweeter than your dessert. However, chocolates with ancillary flavors such as saltiness, nuts, or fruits tend to open up the world of pairing options,” she says.

She also says to be open to unique types of wine and chocolate pairings, such as bacon-infused chocolate with a Malbec or a chocolate blended with fruit paired with bubbly wine or Champagne.

“I had this chocolate from Vosges called the Amalfi bar made of white chocolate, lemon zest, and pink peppercorns with 36 percent cocoa butter that I paired with the Sparkling Pointe Blanc de Blancs. The lemon flavors in the wine and the bight acidity paired beautifully with the flavor combinations in this chocolate,” she notes.

Castronovo White Chocolate, $12 on Amazon

Infused with lemon essential oil and sprinkled with lemon-infused sea salt

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If you’re still not sure you’re ready to develop your own wine and chocolate pairing without any help, Rockwell offers her wine picks for a few different types of chocolate. Pick one pairing or make it even more fun with a sampler of each chocolate and wine.

Dark Chocolate

“That’s easy. Port from Portugal,” says Rockwell. “Ports are intensely flavored to balance the somewhat bitter flavors in dark chocolate.”

Milk Chocolate

“Most often sweet, either frizzante (slightly fizzy) or full sparkling red wine from Piedmont, Brachetto is a fruity style and the extra fat content in the milk chocolate makes it easier to pair as compared to dark chocolate,” she says.

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White Chocolate 

“I think white chocolate is underrated for wine pairings. I would go with a Moscato d’Asti for this pairing. I love the orange and peach notes, plus that sweetness is sure to match,” she says.

Peanut Butter Truffle

“I am imagining a pairing of Sauternes—a sweet wine from the Bordeaux region, or even a late harvest Chenin Blanc, with a bit of botrytis to add some honey characters, nuttiness, and sweetness to meld with the peanut butter and chocolate flavors,” says Rockwell.

Raspberry-Filled Chocolate

“Cabernet Franc Ice or Late Harvest wine. Those ripe raspberry flavors in the cab franc and sweetness of the ice wine/late harvest process should be a perfect match for a raspberry filled chocolate. Inniskillin in the Niagara region makes a stellar one,” she says.

A Box Of Russell Stover Chocolates

“I think I will go big and fancy here with a Barolo Chinato. This is an aromatized wine from the Piedmont with notes of botanicals, herbs, and spices and big Nebbiolo flavors,” Rockwell says.

Related Video: 14 Gifts for Your Food-Loving Valentine

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Mexican Chocolate Menu for Valentine’s Day

Sometimes we like our chocolate straight-up bittersweet, rich, and over-the-top; other times we prefer a subtler cacao hit (even white chocolate on occasion). Some form of chocolate is clearly de rigueur for Valentine’s Day, but why restrict yourself (or your significant other) to bonbons or truffles? Make chocolate cocktails, and cook with Theobroma cacao too. There are lots of ways to do it, but one of our favorite approaches is to balance it out with warm spices and even chiles.

Taza Mexican Chocolate Sampler, 8 for $19.23 on Amazon

Mexican chocolates infused with flavors like chipotle, coffee, and vanilla are great in drinks or dishes both sweet and savory.

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Our chocolate-centric, Mexico-inspired Valentine’s Day menu has plenty of sweetness, but isn’t cloying, because there’s always a tempering touch of bitterness, and a little spice. Yes, it’s heavy on desserts, but no one’s going to be complaining.

Pork Mole Colaradito

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Serve tortillas to scoop up this wonderfully complex pork mole stew. The chocolate-enriched mole sauce isn’t something you can make in an hour, but hey: Tell your Valentine you did all that hard work out of love. Get our Pork Mole Colaradito recipe.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Mole

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This Crock-Pot chicken mole takes a while too, but is mostly all hands-off (not that you have to tell anyone that). Of course, it tastes fantastic. Get our Slow Cooker Chicken Mole recipe.

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Chocolate Toffee Pumpkin Seed Bark

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Bark is one of the easiest chocolate confections you can make. This one, with bits of toffee, pumpkin seeds, and a hit of cayenne, is a great little nibble with goat cheese and baguette toasts—or as dessert, as you might expect. Get our Chocolate Toffee Pumpkin Seed Bark recipe.

Chocolate Rum Tres Leches Cake

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A healthy slug of rum gives this chocolate-and-coffee variation on the classic tres leches cake a grown-up personality perfect for V-Day. Get our Chocolate Rum Tres Leches Cake recipe.

Mexican Chocolate Slice-and-Bake Cookies

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Cocoa powder, cinnamon, and a touch of cayenne make this cookie dough addictive (and a tiny bit spicy); the dough can be chilled and frozen ahead of time, as long you thaw them overnight before baking. Try making ice cream sandwiches with these and our Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream recipe for a double dose of deliciousness. Get our Mexican Chocolate Slice-and-Bake Cookies recipe.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

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Make this Mexican hot chocolate with whole milk for richness, or try a coconut milk-based version, but either way, know that it only gets better if you dip our cinnamon-sugar churros in your cup. And a little splash of Kahlúa never hurts. Get our Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe.

Mexican Devil’s Food Cake

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Go ahead, get a little devilish on Valentine’s Day. This dark chocolate cake has a nuanced warmth from ancho chile (add a dash of cayenne too if you want some spice), but it’s layered with positively angelic whipped cream (or buttercream, if you prefer) and sliced red strawberries, then topped with toasted almonds for a nutty crunch. Get our Mexican Devil’s Food Cake recipe.

Churro-Style Waffles with Spiced Chocolate and Coconut Crema

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Fit for breakfast in bed or for dessert (in bed or otherwise), these yeast-raised waffles have a little extra texture from semolina and a churro-inspired coating of cinnamon sugar. As if that wasn’t enough, they’re drizzled with a chile-spiked dark chocolate sauce and a lightly sweetened coconut cream sauce too. Get our Churro-Style Waffles with Spiced Chocolate and Coconut Crema recipe.

For more sweet tips, tricks, and recipes, visit our Valentine’s Day headquarters. And see our Valentine’s Day 2019 Gift Guide for more ways to make everyone happy.

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.

This post was originally published on February 12, 2013 and was updated with new images, links, and text on January 31, 2019.

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11 Romantic Risotto Recipes Perfect for Valentine’s Day

Although risotto is one of the simplest meals you could whip up, there is something undeniably fancy about it. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re cooking with wine, or the patience that’s involved with constantly stirring the rice. Whatever the reason, next time you’re in the mood for treating your significant other, wow them with one of these romantic yet simple risotto recipes.

1. Brussels Sprouts and Lemon Risotto

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The Brussels sprouts add color and flavor without overpowering the risotto. Try serving this dish with a simple side salad to make it a complete meal. Get our Brussels Sprouts and Lemon Risotto recipe.

2. Baked Vegetable Risotto with Poached Eggs

Veggies by Candlelight

Eating seasonally is sure to keep you from breaking the budget while still providing maximum flavor for your recipes, so keep this recipe in mind for a lighter spring-date meal. Get the Baked Vegetable Risotto with Poached Eggs recipe.

3. Lobster Risotto

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Wow your love with this seafood lobster risotto; the recipe calls for not only two entire lobsters but also a cup of wine! Don’t forget to serve the other half of the bottle with your meal. Get our Lobster Risotto recipe.

4. Instant Pot Cheddar Risotto with Fresh Sage

The View from Great Island

Talk about comfort food with a fancy twist! Think of this risotto recipe as your permission to eat upscale macaroni and cheese with a side of white wine on your date (and a fragrant hint of sage). Plus, it’s made in the Instant Pot, so you have more time for…other things. Get the Instant Pot Cheddar Risotto with Fresh Sage recipe.

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Sometimes being under pressure is a good thing.

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5. Farro Risotto with Asparagus and Fava Beans

Not all risotto has to be made with rice, and this version uses the ancient grain farro to create a surprising and unique twist that will impress any date. Get our Farro Risotto with Asparagus and Fava Beans recipe.

6. Leek Risotto

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We all know the worst thing on a date is having bad breath. Leeks have all the wonderful health and flavor benefits of the onion family without the horrid aftertaste that often comes with eating raw or red onions. Get the Leek Risotto recipe.

7. Sweet Carrot Risotto

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When carrots are cooked, they take on a sweet flavor that shines through in this recipe as you use a carrot broth to bring new flavors to your risotto. Get our Sweet Carrot Risotto recipe.

8. Baked Risotto with Broccoli Pesto and Scallops

Cooking for Keeps

Craving risotto for your date night but still need to find time to get dressed and fix your hair? Then consider making this recipe, which is baked so you won’t be forced to stand next to the stove stirring every few minutes. Get the Baked Risotto with Broccoli Pesto and Scallops recipe.

9. Butternut Squash Risotto

Strawberries for Supper

This hearty winter twist on the classic risotto has mascarpone cheese mixed into it for a creamy and decadent finish. Also, the butternut squash is cooked right into the rice so you don’t have to worry about roasting it for an hour beforehand! Get the Butternut Squash Risotto recipe.

10. Freekeh Risotto with Broccolini, Lemon, and Ricotta

SBS

Impress your guest by serving this risotto recipe made with the slightly unusual grain freekeh, usually only found in Middle Eastern or North African dishes. Get the Freekeh Risotto with Broccolini, Lemon, and Ricotta recipe.

11. Black Risotto with Prawns

A Little Black Apron

This black risotto has a unique and eye-catching presentation that will make for a memorable and delicious meal. This recipe would also be wonderful with shrimp if prawns are not available in your area. Get the Black Risotto with Prawns recipe.

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.

Shelly Westerhausen is the founder of Vegetarian ‘Ventures, a food blog that focuses on planet-based recipes and healthy eating habits. In her free time, you can find her rocking a wolf T-shirt, sipping on hibiscus tea, and working on her magazine, Driftless.

This post was originally published on February 9, 2015 and was updated on January 31, 2019.

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Friday Food Finds: Valentine’s Day Candy Edition

Valentine’s Day may be a holiday to celebrate the love between couples, but for the rest of us, it’s an excuse to binge on candy and complain about being single forever. If you find yourself in the latter category, you’ll be relieved to know that companies have really gone above and beyond to cater to broken hearts and/or unloveable humans this year—Oreo released cookies with “The Most Stuf” ever and Rice Krispies have decided to drench themselves in chocolate. Needless to say, we left our taste-testing segment on the Taylor Strecker Show with more cavities than we can count and a new list of products that we’ll either gift to our lovers (Taylor and Matt) or sneak into bed with a rom-com, box of tissues, and a batch of crippling insecurities (me). Can’t wait.

Double Good Popcorn (Waddle You Do for Cookies?, Its Peanut Butter Chocolate Time)

Popcorn fans unite! We’ve found one of the best gourmet varieties we’ve ever tried on the show. Double Good not only tastes good, but does good—the company donates half of its proceeds to various charity organizations. This means you can feel a little less guilty about eating a healthy snack that is now doused in cookies and peanut butter.

The Most Stuf Oreos 

The Most Stuf should really be called The Right Amount of Stuf…for Matt and me, at least. This is the Oreo you’ve been dreaming of. In fact, this is the Oreo I’m going to house tonight with a gigantic pitcher of milk and zero regrets. Kudos to Nabisco for finally listening to the people. ILYSM.

Spread Again White Chocolate Pretzel Gourmet Peanut Spread

Holy crap this was good. And the possibilities are truly endless: Do you spread it on toast? Do you spread it on Oreos? Do you spread it on ice cream? In our case, we’ll just spread it directly onto our tongues. Buy. This. Now.

Godiva Limited Edition Cupcake-Inspired Chocolates

At first, we thought these were a bit gimmicky. We also thought the “frosting” was too intense. But then we allowed our palates to chill and simply enjoy the sweet, sweet goodness. Godiva is one of the most celebrated chocolate companies for a reason: Everything they make tastes good and there are rarely any exceptions. Don’t agree? Your opinion isn’t valid here. Thank you, next.

Rice Krispie Treats Poppers

If you’re gay, you’ll find the name of these quite odd (who approved this on the market research team?) If you’re hungry, you’ll find that these are just okay. We liked the Cookies ‘n’ Creme flavor the best, but prefer our Rice Krispies Treats sans chocolate, as it tends to mask the marshmallowy, buttery goodness of America’s favorite easy-t0-make dessert. That being said, I killed almost an entire bag of these at my desk without thinking twice, so clearly they’re doing something right. I blame it on the awesome texture play.

Jelly Belly Sparkling Cupid Corn and Red Raspberry Hearts

Sparkling Cupid Corn should be changed to Sparkling Stupid Corn. The artificial strawberry taste was borderline medicinal and not something you’d want to binge during a rough work day. We truly loved the Red Raspberry Hearts, though. They’re insanely addictive and have the perfect crunchy to gummy ratio that we crave on the regs.

Dove Chocolate Bars (Raspberry Rosé, Bourbon Vanilla)

Hershey’s who? Dove hit a home run with these delicious bars that come in four drool-worthy flavors. Raspberry Rosé was our favorite by far, which means we can’t wait to pair this with an actual glass of rosé and start our Friday happy hour early. #goalsfulfilled

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Valentine’s Day Recipe All-Stars

Chocolate body paint and rose petals are for amateurs. We all know that the way to someone’s heart is via the belly. If these dishes look familiar, it’s because they’re the all-stars of precoital dining, the greatest hits that will never disappear from Valentine’s Day menus (even if you secretly want them to). So don’t go rogue and try to be creative; make these dishes, because they taste good and you want to eat them. 

Lou Malnati's Heart-Shaped Pizza Gift Package, $64.99 on Amazon

Heart-shaped pizza is a modern-day Valentine's classic, and this one from a Chicago deep-dish legend is actually delicious.

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Crab Cakes with Quick Aioli

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Nothing says “I love you” like a crisp, freshly pan-fried crab cake, just like this recipe—perfect for making ahead and heating at the last minute—says you’re the perfect unflustered spouse or potential partner. Our quick aioli, made with store-bought mayo, extends the narrative. Get our Crab Cakes with Quick Aioli recipe.

Oysters with Prosecco Mignonette

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Valentine’s Day just wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without something bubbly. The mignonette sauce for these highly seductive oysters on the half shell calls for a splash of Prosecco, Champagne, or whatever else is tickling your nose in the glass. Get our Oysters with Prosecco Mignonette recipe.

Easy Cheese Fondue

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Maybe it’s the luxurious texture, the richness, or the possibility that your forks will accidentally touch mid-dip: Whatever it is, fondue is sexy. This recipe will have you and your Valentine twirling in no time. Get our Easy Cheese Fondue recipe.

Basic Steamed Lobster

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Lobster is a luxury food that actually tastes luxurious, and the act of eating one in the shell—cracking claws, picking out the flesh—is, like love, not something that takes well to hurrying. Get our Basic Steamed Lobster recipe.

Warm Lobster Salad

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If your baby isn’t into getting his or her fingers all lobster-y from a whole steamed specimen, this salad is an elegant, no-bib solution. Get our Warm Lobster Salad recipe.

Shaved Black Truffles Over Fresh Pasta

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The aroma of fresh black truffles is deep and enchanting, and this beautifully simple pasta lets those truffles shine. You’ll also impress your Valentine with how much you dropped on dinner, and/or how frugal you are not to be paying restaurant prices. Get our Shaved Black Truffles Over Fresh Pasta recipe.

Alma Gourmet Fresh Italian Winter Black Truffles, 1 ounce for $79 on Amazon

You truly can buy just about anything on Amazon.

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Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce

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Beef filet looks and tastes fancy, but it’s the simplest thing to make. Here, a black pepper crust gives it personality, and the béarnaise gives it glamour. Get our Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce recipe.

Red Velvet Cake

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Everything about “red” and “velvet” signals Valentine’s romance, and there’s nothing about baking a chocolate cake for your sweetie that doesn’t score you points! Get our Red Velvet Cake recipe.

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

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Compared to sour, underripe, store-bought ones, DIY dipped berries are a revelation: better fruit, better chocolate, more seduction. Get our Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries recipe.

Chocolate Lava Cake (with Raspberry Coulis)

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The ultimate Valentine’s dessert: opulent, rich, and—in its own small way—grand. After this, you’ll want to stack the plates in the sink and take it to the couch. Get our Chocolate Lava Cake recipe (and our Raspberry Coulis recipe to top it off).

Get more Valentine’s Day recipes and sweet tips and tricks on our Valentine’s Day Headquarters, and visit our Valentine’s Day 2019 Gift Guide for more inspiration.

Related Video: How to Make Two-Person Valentine’s Strawberry Shortcake

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.

This post was originally published on January 25, 2011 and was updated on January 31, 2019 with new images, links, and text.

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