Pairing chocolate with wine may seem like a daunting task, but Leslie Sbrocco is here to make it fun and approachable. As an award-winning author, television host, and wine educator, she has a knack for turning challenging pairings into delightful discoveries. At the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, Sbrocco will be hosting a seminar titled “Strange Bedfellows: Chocolate & Wine” to help attendees swap intimidation for curiosity and dessert for discovery.
Sbrocco’s method for pairing chocolate and wine is simple and sensorial, focusing on four key levers: sweetness, tannin, bitterness, and texture. By carefully considering these elements, she guides her audience to make the perfect pairing every time.
One of Sbrocco’s first rules is to match the sweetness of the chocolate with the wine. If the chocolate is much sweeter than the wine, the wine may taste thin, and if the chocolate is less sweet than the wine, it may get lost in the mix. Once sweetness is balanced, tannin and texture come into play. Intense cocoa solids and firmer textures pair well with wines that have structure, while silkier, sweeter chocolates complement wines with plush fruit or a touch of residual sugar.
Sbrocco loves to challenge traditional pairings by zigging around expectations. For example, instead of pairing dark chocolate with vintage Port, she prefers tawny Port for its smooth richness and spiciness, which beautifully complements caramel sea salt milk chocolate. When faced with bitter and intense chocolate flavors, Sbrocco recommends red wines like Malbec or Zinfandel to provide structure and fruit-forward generosity.
But Sbrocco doesn’t stop at red wines. She encourages pairing white wines with chocolate as well. Riesling Spätlese is a perfect match for white chocolate, with its higher acidity balancing the sweetness and wrapping around the cocoa butter’s plushness. Bubbles, especially those with a hint of sweetness like Lambrusco, can also be a delightful pairing with chocolate.
When it comes to wines to avoid when pairing with chocolate, Sbrocco suggests staying away from high-acid, lean wines that may clash with the richness of chocolate. Instead, she opts for wines with textural richness to enhance the overall experience.
In the end, Sbrocco’s tasting experience is all about play and experimentation. Mixing and matching different chocolates and wines allows guests to discover new and exciting flavor combinations. By following Sbrocco’s elegant idea of matching sweetness, minding texture, and letting fruit, spice, and bubbles be the bridge, pairing chocolate and wine becomes a delightful and accessible experience. As the world continues to evolve and technology becomes more advanced, the way we live our lives is constantly changing. From the way we communicate to the way we work, technology has had a significant impact on nearly every aspect of our daily routines. One area that has seen a major transformation is the way we shop.
Gone are the days of having to physically go to a store to purchase items. With the rise of e-commerce, shopping has become more convenient than ever. Online shopping allows consumers to browse through a wide variety of products from the comfort of their own homes and have them delivered right to their doorstep. This convenience has led to a boom in online shopping, with more and more people opting to make their purchases online rather than in-store.
In addition to the convenience factor, online shopping also offers consumers a greater selection of products to choose from. With just a few clicks, shoppers can compare prices and read reviews to make informed decisions about their purchases. This level of transparency and accessibility has revolutionized the way we shop, making it easier than ever to find exactly what we’re looking for.
Another major benefit of online shopping is the ability to shop anytime, anywhere. With online retailers operating 24/7, consumers have the freedom to shop at their own convenience, whether it’s during their lunch break at work or late at night in their pajamas. This flexibility has made shopping more accessible to people with busy schedules, allowing them to make purchases whenever it’s most convenient for them.
Furthermore, online shopping has also opened up new opportunities for small businesses and independent sellers. With platforms like Etsy and Shopify, entrepreneurs can easily set up their own online stores and reach a global audience. This has leveled the playing field for small businesses, allowing them to compete with larger retailers and reach customers they may not have been able to access otherwise.
While online shopping has revolutionized the way we shop, it’s not without its challenges. Cybersecurity threats, delivery delays, and product quality issues are just a few of the potential pitfalls that consumers may encounter when shopping online. However, with proper precautions and due diligence, these risks can be mitigated to ensure a positive online shopping experience.
Overall, online shopping has transformed the retail industry and has become a staple in our daily lives. With its convenience, accessibility, and wide selection of products, it’s no wonder that more and more people are choosing to shop online. As technology continues to advance, we can only expect online shopping to become even more prevalent in the future, further changing the way we shop for goods and services.
