Wine + Chocolate = Please sir, can I have some more?
Words by our very own prolific wine writer Charlotte D. Nay. Picture by Stefani Driscoll Photography
Wine and chocolate matching has historically been a bit of a contentious issue. There are a couple of distinct camps when it comes to recommending wine and food pairing but, rather than insist you just straight up pitch your tent in our camp, sight unseen, we’re going to give you both sides of the story and let you make up your own mind…
The “classic” approach
Classic wine and food pairing doctrine insists that when matching a wine to a dessert, the wine mustbe sweeter than the food it’s being paired with, or it can tend to emphasise the bitterness or acidity in the wine, and that the only reasonable match with chocolate is a true dessert wine.
But unless you’re still insisting that red and pink should never been seen together, or continuing to preach that a low fat diet with lots of carbs is the key to weight loss, this is another adage that it might just be time to throw out the window.
The “scientific” approach
The second camp are those who don’t believe in wine and food pairing at all. *Gasp* - how dare they? They’ll tell you that it’s “too subjective”, that our palates are so distinct that attempting to create a match that’s more than just the sum of its parts is pseudoscience and we might as well just start drinking Shiraz with sour worms. But come on… do you really believe that?
It isscience that certain flavour combinations just work. Salty and sweet for example, where do you think this crazy influx of salted caramel or Lindt Sea Salt chocolate came from? I always knew there was a reason I liked dipping my McFries in my chocolate sundae sauce #science.
And how about butter and carbs? It’s not a coincidence that hot buttery mashed potato tastes so good, or toast loaded with melted butter for that matter. And don’t even get me started on wine and cheese. Heaven! Classic pairings are classic for a reason.
In case you hadn’t guessed by now, we fall somewhere in the middle. That’s right, our camp is perched a little precariously, right on the boundary that separates those two schools of thought, call us fence sitters all you like, we think we’re right.
So, we paired up with the incredible Hey Tiger Chocolate and the inestimable 6ft6 Wines, to prove that not only CAN wine and chocolate go together, but that coming up with pairings that are better together than they are apart is an art unto itself.
If you love wine and you love chocolate (and who the hell doesn’t?) – buckle in, because some of these pairings might just blow your mind.
Pair your 6ft6 Prosecco with…
Hey Tiger And Chill, crisp bubbles are a perfect match with anything creamy and decadent – think Mac n’ Cheese, baked brie, OR dark salted cocoa crumb and roasted macadamia in glorious white chocolate.
The Whip It- Deliciously crunchy cereal, set in creamy white chocolate – champagne breakfast anyone?
Or embrace your inner diva with Hey Tiger Glitter Kitten– addictive birthday cake crumb and rainbow sprinkles. Bring on the balloons and party bags - this kitten wants to celebrate! And what’s a party without a glass of bubbles (or two)?
Down a glass of 6ft6 Sauvignon Blanc with…
The Hey Tiger Game Changer. This is one pairing that really does change the game. Crisp tropical flavours slice through this vegan masterpiece of whipped hazelnut butter and dark chocolate. Just try it and thank us later #yourewelcome
Or if you’re looking for something a little… safer, the Kokomo is pure tropical sunshine on tap. Perfectly paired.
Pour a 6ft6 Pinot Gris with…
Hey Tiger Summer in the City or Best Mates. We’ve already expounded the joys of salty and sweet, but throw in buttery (whether it be the Summer’s Peanut Butter or the Caramelised Popcorn in the Best Mates) and the fragrant beauty of this Pinot Gris is a match made in heaven – that little hint of spiced candy is what’s gonna send you over the edge.
Or, take it up a notch with the Hello Officer, for a very Mars/Venus pairing that you’re going to be dreaming about for days.
Drink your 6ft6 Rosé with…
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiched between delicious milk and white chocolate. It’s not quite milk, it’s not quite white, but a perfect something in between… just like Rosé – not quite red, not quite white, pair it with Hey Tiger’s Morning Roar and you’ve got a winner every time.
The 6ft6 Rosé embodies fresh and vibrant scents of candied summer berries with just a hint of freshly cut watermelon, Hey Tiger’s Early Bird incorporates freeze-dried acai, raspberries, banana and dragon fruit wrapped in deep dark chocolate. A match made in heaven? We think so.
Match your 6ft6 Pinot Noir with…
Something rich and indulgent. 6ft6 Pinot Noir is a classic, with bright cherry and red plum flavours, just a hint of earth, a nuance of vanilla and dark chocolate upon a silky-smooth palate. Is your mouth watering already?
Try pairing it with Hey Tiger’s The Lie Inor Be Mine for perfectly complimentary strawberry and raspberry flavours. OR prove that opposites attract with dark milk, a hint of caramel and the crunch of cracker crumb – The Weekend is where it’s at.
Try your 6ft6 Shiraz with…
Pop quiz: Strawberries splashed with balsamic in dark chocolate, then spiked with cocoa nibs. Are we describing 6ft6’s Shiraz? Or Hey Tiger’s Ready for it? Either way – this is a match made in heaven.
Oh, and Hey Officer! Would you like a glass of Shiraz to go with that dark chocolate, whiskey & smoke? Maybe snuggled by an open fire? On an old leather couch, in a dark reading room? This pairing is guaranteed to warm you up when the mercury drops outside.
You can find 6ft6 Wine in over 2000 retail outlets throughout Australia, including Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Vintage Cellars, Liquorland, IGA Liquor and all good independents. Or online at 6ft6wine.com.
Look for Hey Tiger Chocolate at Wilson’s Fruit & Vegetables, or online at heytiger.com.au.