Host a Wine & Chocolate Pairing Party

If you are looking for an event to host that appeals to the ladies, a wine and chocolate pairing is an excellent option. If you are looking for a fun couple’s event, again, a great option! An all guys event??? Bourbon and Cigars may be a better option, but that’s a different blog.

Hosting the Party

Invite your friends over for a “Wine & Chocolate Pairing Party” or give it a fun name like, “For the Love of Chocolate”. Encourage them to bring their favorite bottle of wine and favorite chocolate to share.

The party should be casual and relaxed. Incorporate rustic textures and colors, dim the lights and use burgundy and chocolate colored candles. Play some jazzy tunes in the background to set the ambiance.

As the host you will want to create tasting cards for everyone so they can write down their personal experiences as they go. You’ll need to provide a red and white wine glass for everyone that attends. Supply cutting boards with cheese knives to cut the chocolate bars and little stands to mark the chocolates. Also provide cocktail plates and napkins for everyone.

Once everyone has had some time to taste and make some notes, start discussing the different experiences and have everyone pick a favorite pairing.

Make sure to have some bags for people to take home any leftover chocolate. And the corks, just in case there is any wine left, for drinking later.

Tasting Tips:

You’ll want to direct everyone to start with the white chocolate and finish with the darkest chocolate. The below guidelines might help get the best pairings, though there are some very surprising combinations that may surface.

Some general pairing guidelines to get you started:

A couple of the favorite pairings at Heart of the Desert’s Chocolate & Wine: The Perfect Pairing events are:

• Heart of the Desert Gewurztraminer with Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel. Most felt that it was Drinkable, fruity, refreshing, & light – Complements the taste of caramel.
• Heart of the Desert Viva La Roja, which is a sweet red wine with Milk Chocolate Pistachio Bark. Many thought it was the perfect pairing – fruity and sweet.

Whatever you may find, the most important thing is, to have a good time! Cheers!

Heart of the Desert is a working pistachio ranch and vineyard with four retail establishments in New Mexico. They are best known for their farm fresh pistachios and Award-Winning New Mexico wines. Each store offers wine and pistachio tastings. They offer worldwide shipping and produce attractive gourmet baskets that make great corporate and family gifts. The main store, on the ranch in Alamogordo, offers farm tours that showcases how pistachios are grown and processed as well as a stunning Tuscany themed patio that overlooks the groves and is available for weddings, private parties or enjoying a relaxing glass of wine.