You don’t need an excuse to tuck into your fave chocolate treats and sip on a cool glass of wine. Rather than reaching for the first bottle you come across, think that little bit deeper about how your choice of wine brings out the flavours of your choice of chocolate. We’ve got you covered with a guide on how to successfully make your own chocolates as well as what wine to pair with your delish creation.
Make your own chocolate treats
Get creative by making your very own chocolatey treats. A jazzed-up chocolate slab or a box of homemade truffles are fab pressies for friends and a sweet treat for that next night in – or you could just scoff them yourself! Either way, you don’t have to be a whizz in the kitchen to make these yummy goodies.
Loaded chocolate slab
You’ll need:
- Baking tray lined with baking paper
- Your chosen type of chocolate – we love a mixture of milk and white for a good looking swirl
- A range of chocolate and sweet treats for slab toppings
How to:
- Melt your milk chocolate by breaking it up into small pieces, adding it to a heatproof bowl and then placing over a pot of water on the stove. You want the water to be very hot but not boiling, and make sure the bowl containing the chocolate isn’t touching the water. Stir until fully melted.
- Pour the chocolate out onto the baking paper and spread so it forms a nice level layer.
- If you’re also melting white chocolate, repeat the process and then make a pattern or extra layer with this – we’d suggest a smaller quantity of white chocolate than the milk.
- Now it’s time for the fun part! Grab your sweet treats and decorate your slab before the chocolate sets – why not try broken up chocolate bars or individual, colourful choccies from packets?
- Pop the slab onto a tray and into the fridge for around 15 minutes if you’re eager to tuck in or allow the chocolate to do its thing and set at room temperature.
Chocolate truffles
You’ll need:
- Dark chocolate, chopped
- Double cream
- Butter
- ‘Toppings’ to roll your truffles in – cocoa, chopped nuts, coconut or even some more chocolate!
How to:
- Gently heat the butter and cream in a saucepan until they’re combined and simmering.
- Tip the mixture into a bowl containing the chopped chocolate and stir until silky smooth.
- Leave this to cool and then pop in the fridge for 3-4 hours.
- Use a warm spoon to scoop small amounts of the mixture and roll this into the size you’d like your truffles to be.
- Finally have fun rolling your truffles in the coatings of your choice. Or, if you’d prefer to dip your sweet treats into a chocolate of your choice pop a truffle on a fork or stick and coat with the melted chocolate before placing on a sheet of baking paper in the fridge to chill.
These can both make super versatile gifts for different times of the year. Go wild and decorate a chocolate slab for Easter with chocolate eggs or jazz up a Christmas slab with candy canes. Truffles can be popped in cute gift boxes and tied with a bow for birthdays or with some glitter for a sparkly finish.
Pairing wine with chocolate
We all know wine and chocolate is an iconic combo, but do you know how to make the most out of your treats? No worries, here are some of the best wine with chocolate combinations that’ll guarantee to get your taste buds tingling!
Milk Chocolate
Upgrade your classic choice of silky milk chocolate by pairing it with a glass of our Pink Moscato. A combination of notes of ripe red fruits, mandarin orange and subtle raspberry tones, this vibrant wine brings out the sweetness of the chocolate. Top tip from us: melt some of your chocolate and dip some strawberries in before sipping on Pink Moscato for the perfect treat.
Dark Chocolate
For a classic wine and chocolate combination, pair your choice sumptuous dark chocolate treats with our rich Merlot. The dark, fruity flavours of this full-bodied red wine has a gorgeous hint of smoky vanilla oak and black cherries, making for a highly luxurious flavour sensation when combined with the bitterness of dark chocolate.
White Chocolate
Buttery in taste and texture, pair your yummy white chocolate with an equally as smooth medium-bodied Chardonnay. The tempting vanilla and fruity nature of chardonnay blends perfectly with the sweet flavours of white chocolate. Talk about yummy! Amp it up a notch by choosing our Buttery Chardonnay, which is just as decadently smooth as white chocolate.
Salted caramel
If you like your chocolate with a twist, then you’re likely a fan of salted caramel. The delightful blend of sweet and salty is complemented well by our juicy Moscato. Notes of peach, ripe apricots and citrus make this the perfect dessert wine, bringing out the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel, while still letting the salty goodness take centre stage.
Orange infused chocolate
Orange chocolate - it tastes like fruit, so it must be healthy, right? Well, maybe not - but we won’t judge. The zesty nature of orange infused chocolate pairs perfectly with fruity and crisp Pinot Grigio. Thanks to its cool, light-bodied style, the wine will complement the strong flavours of orange chocolate rather than being on the OTT side.
Coffee flavoured chocolate
There are just some people you can’t imagine without an iced latte in their hand, and they’re definitely the type to choose coffee infused chocolate over anything. Obsessed, much? If that sounds like you, then reach for an ultra-smooth Shiraz. With a classy, hearty taste packed with notes of dark berries, cherries and mocha, you can’t go wrong with this wine and chocolate combo.
No matter your chocolate preference, you’ll find the perfect choice of wine to go with it here at Barefoot. Whether you’re trying these combos with your pals or keeping all the treats to yourself, be sure to do so with a glass of chilled Barefoot wine in hand.