Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in two of life’s greatest pleasures: chocolate and wine! Both are complex, sensual, and capable of making hearts flutter with just one taste. But pairing them? That’s where the real romance begins.

Whether you’re planning a candlelit dinner, a cosy night in, or a playful tasting for two, here’s your delicious guide to pairing dry wines, sweet wines, and sparkling selections with everything from silky dark chocolate to luscious truffles.

The Golden Rule of Chocolate & Wine Pairing

When it comes to pairing wine with chocolate there is one general rule to abide -

Your wine should be as sweet as, or sweeter than the chocolate.

If the wine is drier than the chocolate, it can taste bitter or sharp. When balanced correctly, though, the result is seamless harmony.

Now, let’s play matchmaker.

Dark Chocolate (70% and Above) - Bold Red Wine

Dark chocolate’s deep cocoa richness and slight bitterness crave a wine with structure and depth.

Our Recommendations:

• Yaluma The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon

• Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel

• Saurus Barrell Fermented Malbec

The tannins in these reds soften beautifully against dark chocolate’s cocoa butter, while notes of blackberry, plum, and spice create a luxurious, lingering finish.

For an extra layer of magic, try dark chocolate with a sprinkle of sea salt to make the fruit in the wine shine.

Milk Chocolate - Merlot or Pinot Noir

Milk chocolate is creamier and sweeter, so it pairs best with softer, fruit-driven reds.

Our Recommendations:

• Caliterra Merlot Reserva

• Casa Silva Pinot Noir

These wines bring red berry flavors and gentle tannins that won’t overpower milk chocolate’s smooth sweetness.

Think chocolate-covered strawberries and easy conversation across the table.

Chocolate with Orange or Fruit Ganache - Sparkling Wine

Chocolate with citrus or raspberry filling calls for something bright and refreshing.

Our Recommendations:

• Oatley Brut Nature

• Tiepolo Pinot Grigio Sparkling Rose
  

The bubbles cleanse the palate between bites, while crisp acidity lifts fruity flavors beautifully. Sparkling rosé, with its strawberry notes, is especially charming with berry-filled truffles.

White Chocolate + Moscato or Riesling

White chocolate isn’t technically chocolate (no cocoa solids), but its creamy sweetness pairs beautifully with aromatic wines.

Try:

• Alasia Moscato d’Asti

• Wairau River Botrytis Riesling

These wines offer floral aromas and honeyed fruit flavors that complement white chocolate without overwhelming it.

White chocolate with macadamia nuts or coconut adds texture and a hint of tropical flair.

Decadent Chocolate Truffles + Dessert Wines

Rich ganache-filled truffles deserve a wine equally luxurious.

Dark Chocolate Truffles:

• Barao de Vilar Late Bottled Vintage Port
  

• Mira la Mar Pedro Ximénez Sherry

These sweet, fortified wines mirror chocolate’s depth with notes of fig, caramel, and dark berries. It’s a velvety, slow-dance kind of pairing.

Caramel or Hazelnut Truffles:

• Penfolds Father Grand Tawny

• Blandy's Malmsey 10 Year Madeira

Nutty, toffee notes meet their perfect match in these complex, aged wines.

Create Your Own Valentine’s Tasting

Turn pairing into an experience:

• Set up a tasting board with four to five different chocolates.

• Pour small glasses of different wines.

• Taste the wine first, then the chocolate.

• Try them together and notice how the flavours evolve.

• Compare notes and enjoy the discoveries.

Final Toast: Love Is in the Layers

Chocolate and wine are both about aroma, texture, sweetness, and finish. When paired thoughtfully, they elevate each other in the most romantic way.

This Valentine’s Day, skip the predictable and savour something decadent together. Whether you’re drawn to bold Cabernet and dark chocolate or sparkling rosé with raspberry truffles, there’s a pairing waiting to sweep you off your feet.

Because the best love stories—like the best wines—are meant to be shared.

Cheers to love, laughter, and a little chocolate on your lips.