Chocolate wine is a speciality beverage that combines the flavours of chocolate and wine into one velvety drink. Typically, chocolate wine is made by infusing rich cocoa or chocolate essence into red wine or a cream-based wine liqueur. The result is a smooth, dessert-like drink that pairs beautifully with complementary chocolate treats.
How is Chocolate Wine made?
Chocolate wine typically starts with a base wine, often a red wine like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel. These varieties are chosen for their smooth, fruity, and slightly sweet profiles, which complement the chocolate flavour. Some versions use fortified wines like Port or dessert wines for added richness.
The chocolate component can be added in various forms:
- Cocoa Extract or Chocolate Liquor: These provide an intense chocolate flavor and blend well with the wine.
- Cocoa Powder: For a rich and earthy chocolate profile, cocoa powder is sometimes incorporated into the mix.
- Natural or Artificial Flavors: Some manufacturers use flavourings to mimic chocolate, ensuring a consistent taste in large-scale production.
The chocolate is carefully balanced with the wine to ensure neither element overpowers the other. Sweeteners like sugar or honey are often added to enhance the dessert-like qualities of the beverage. Some producers also incorporate dairy or cream to create a chocolate wine liqueur, resulting in a smoother, richer texture.
The chocolate and wine mixture is blended thoroughly to achieve a harmonious balance of flavours. In some cases, the blend is aged for a short period to allow the flavours to meld and develop depth.
Chocolate wine can be enjoyed on its own, slightly chilled, or used as a base for cocktails. It pairs beautifully with chocolate and desserts like chocolate cake, truffles, or fresh berries. Chocolate wine is an innovative beverage that combines the best of two worlds; wine and chocolate; creating a treat that appeals to lovers of both.
A Review of the Top Chocolate Wine Brands
ChocoVine
ChocoVine is one of the most well-known chocolate wine brands, offering a rich blend of Dutch chocolate and red wine. Their original flavor is a creamy, indulgent option perfect for dessert pairings, and they also offer varieties like Raspberry Chocolate and Whipped Cream.
Best Pairing: Pair ChocoVine Original with dark chocolate truffles to enhance its rich, velvety finish
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Rocland Estate Chocolate Box Cherry Chocolate GSM Red Wine
The Rocland Estate Chocolate Box Cherry Chocolate GSM Red Wine is a distinctive Australian wine from the Barossa Valley. It features a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro (GSM), offering a harmonious mix of bold flavours. This wine is notable for its rich aroma of dark cherries, savoury oak, and hints of stewed rhubarb, complemented by a spicy palate with cinnamon undertones and a silky, lingering finish.
Best Pairing: Pair Chocolate Box Cherry with milk chocolate-covered strawberries for a romantic, fruity combination.
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Rubis Chocolate Wine
Rubis Chocolate Wine is a unique Spanish fortified wine that combines the richness of red wine with the indulgence of dark chocolate. Made from Tempranillo grapes grown in Spain’s La Mancha region, this wine is infused with a luxurious chocolate essence, creating a bold and decadent flavor profile.
The tasting experience begins with a ruby-coloured pour and aromas of cherries, plums, and dark chocolate. On the palate, it delivers layers of ripe fruits like plum and cherry, a hint of oak, and a velvety finish of rich dark chocolate. Despite the chocolate infusion, the wine balances its sweetness with a wine-forward character.
Best Pairing: Rubis is ideal for sipping after dinner or pairing with dark chocolate desserts or spiced chocolates.
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Apres Limited Edition Chocolate Mocha Dessert Wine Kit
The Apres Limited Edition Chocolate Mocha Dessert Wine Kit is a premium offering from Winexpert’s Apres dessert wine range, designed to create a luxurious and indulgent wine at home. This kit yields approximately 15 bottles of wine (11.5 litres) with an approximate alcohol content of 17.5%. The wine combines rich chocolate flavours with dark roast coffee and a hint of vanilla, making it a perfect pairing for desserts or as a standalone indulgence.
The kit includes all necessary components to produce the wine, with a recommended brewing time of 6 weeks, though a few months of maturation enhances its flavour. The process is straightforward, even for those new to winemaking, and the end result is a sweet, full-bodied dessert wine that rivals professionally crafted options
Best Pairing: The Apres Limited Edition Chocolate Mocha Dessert Wine Kit is ideal with dark chocolate desserts, tiramisu, soft cheeses and berries.
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Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block
The Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block is a celebrated South African red wine, known for its robust blend and complex flavours. Primarily composed of Syrah (74%) with additional contributions from Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a touch of Viognier, this wine delivers an intense aromatic profile. Notes of blackberry, lavender, and dark chocolate intertwine with spices like white pepper and cumin. On the palate, it’s rich with flavours of ripe plums, black cherries, and blueberries, complemented by velvety cacao-like tannins and a savoury mid-palate finish.
Best Pairing: Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block an excellent match for rich, bittersweet dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher).
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Black Doktor 2017 Chocolate, Dry Plums Flavour Sweet Red Wine
The Black Doktor 2017 Chocolate, Dry Plums Flavour Sweet Red Wine is a luscious Moldovan wine crafted with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the renowned Dealul Mare region. With a sweetness level of 81g/L and an ABV of 12.5%, it boasts a velvety texture and an inviting bouquet of chocolate and dried plums. The ruby-coloured wine delivers rich, harmonious flavours of ripe fruit, complemented by a long, satisfying finish.
Best Pairing: The Black Doktor 2017 Chocolate is ideal with dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher), chocolate-covered dried fruits and spiced chocolate.
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Chocolate Box “Chocolate Truffle” Cabernet Sauvignon
The Chocolate Box “Chocolate Truffle” Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold and indulgent red wine that is well-suited for pairing with chocolates due to its rich, complex flavours. This wine typically features dark fruit notes such as blackcurrant and plum, combined with hints of chocolate and spice, which enhance its compatibility with both dark and milk chocolate.
Best Pairings: The Chocolate Box “Chocolate Truffle” Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal with dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher), milk chocolate, chocolate truffles with nutty or fruity centres and salted dark chocolate.
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