What does chocolate have in common with red wine

What Wines To Pair With Chocolate?

Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. For one, they’re both considered aphrodisiacs and they both contain flavanols (antioxidants). Despite these striking similarities, it’s somewhat challenging to pair wine and chocolate together.

Wine and chocolate pairings are some of the most challenging to pull off.

For example, if you taste a delicious glass of dry red wine alongside a hunk of dark chocolate, the wine will start to taste bitter and sour. The taste imbalance is coming from the heightened levels of flavanols (different types of tannin) found in both chocolate and wine that end up clashing against each other on your tongue.

Fortunately, there several wines that make great pairings with chocolate and they are amazing! Here are many wine and chocolate pairings–along with why they work–so you can experiment and create your own.

Wine and Chocolate

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Milk Chocolate

A good milk chocolate is usually about half chocolate and half cream–like those amazing ganache chocolate truffles dusted in cocoa powder. The extra fat from the cream makes milk chocolate one of the easiest “true” chocolates to pair with wine.

Recommended Wines with Milk Chocolate:

Dark Chocolate

The polyphenols in dark chocolate mirror those in wine and give both a somewhat bitter taste. It’s also the part of the chocolate that gives you all the health benefits! The bitterness in dark chocolate is what we’ll want to balance out with a properly selected wine pairing.

Recommended Wines with Dark Chocolate:

White Chocolate

White chocolate isn’t technically a “true” chocolate because it doesn’t contain cacao (the brown part with all the flavanols), but it ends up being one of the few chocolate-like sweets that will match with dry red wine! Woohoo!

Recommended Wines with White Chocolate:

Pairing Dark Chocolate With Dry Red Wines

The idea of a beautiful glass of Cabernet Sauvignon with a nice piece of dark chocolate sounds marvelous, but when you put the two components together in your mouth it usually makes the wine taste gross. There are a few exceptions to this:

Pairing with Flavored Chocolates Nuts, Caramel, Fruit, Ginger, and Beyond

Since chocolate isn’t always a solo item, here are a few recommended pairings for flavored chocolates to inspire you:

Making Your Own Pairings

The best thing you can do is to start thinking of wine as an ingredient. When you break wine into its basic tastes and subtle characteristics you’ll find affinities to different foods. For example, Zinfandel often exhibits subtle notes of cinnamon and 5-spice powder, which you can use to “season” the flavors in your food pairing. The goal of a great wine pairing is to balance the tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, etc) in the food and wine so that the subtle flavors can beautifully emerge.

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Here’s How Red Wine, Coffee, and Chocolate Rate on the Health Meter

In This Article

We’ve reached the point where our Pavlovian response to the words «red wine,» «chocolate» and «research» is a deep eye roll. Sleep and coffee, too. What’s the verdict this week? we wonder when a new study pops up on our Facebook feeds. Is seven hours of shut-eye considered ideal, or is it seven hours and seven minutes? Will that fourth cup of coffee kill me, or will it make me live longer? Is chocolate good for my heart or not?

It’s understandable, given that we’re constantly bombarded with new research that seems to perpetually contradict itself. The information is so overwrought that honestly, the best strategy seems to just focus on all the purported benefits, ignore the bad, and call it a day. But then again, being the health-minded folks that we are, there’s that nagging instinct to wade through all the murkiness to get to the truth.

So that’s exactly what we did, so you don’t have to. Here is the most up-to-date, substantiated, no-B.S. pros and cons of coffee, wine, sleep, and more.

Coffee

The Pros

These days, the general verdict seems to be in coffee’s favor—studies have found that it reduces the risk for a variety of ailments ranging from cancer to heart disease to type 2 diabetes, believe it or not. (This is, of course, if you avoid calorie-laden add-ins like cream and sugar.)

The Cons

In excess, however, caffeine still isn’t the best for concentration (hello, jitters) or sleep quality. A 2015 study found that it really messes with our circadian rhythm, aka our natural tendency to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. It’s also habit-forming, which is definitely why this writer has worked her way up to five cups a day (sorry, science).

Your best bet is to stick to a daily maximum of three to four cups (ideally less), and for your best night of sleep, try not to consume any caffeine after noon. (Also keep in mind that decaf still has traces of caffeine in it.)

Sleep

The Pros

Quantity and quality are key here. Scientists have narrowed a range between seven and nine hours for adults, depending on the individual as the true sweet spot for a solid night’s sleep (not to mention better heart health). For your deepest sleep, research favors a cool, very quiet, very dark atmosphere. You can up the ante even further by sleeping according to your circadian rhythm—the free app Sleep Cycle can help with that. (Just make sure you set the app well before bedtime—more on that in a minute.)

The Cons

After a hectic work week, it often feels like we could snooze for days—but that’s not wise. While the detriments of sleep deprivation are widely known, oversleeping carries its own set of health hazards. A 2010 review found that getting more than nine hours on a regular basis may increase your mortality rate by up to 30%—that’s compared to a mere 12% from getting less than seven (though it is unclear whether this means oversleeping is a cause or a symptom of other underlying conditions). That’s not to say that getting too little sleep is ultimately preferable: It can have a negative impact on your immune system, waistline, digestion, vision, and of course, your mood.

Then, there’s the fact that most of us see our electronics as extensions of our limbs. The blue light emitted from our phones and computers can warp our circadian rhythm and natural ability to fall asleep, which is why it’s important to unplug at least an hour before bed.

Red Wine

The Pros

The truth is that many of the benefits attributed to red wine—things like preventing heart disease and diabetes—aren’t necessarily specific to red wine, but other forms of alcohol as well. You do, however, get a boost of antioxidants with a glass of dark vino.

The Cons

You’ve likely seen studies that claim red wine can do anything from cure cancer to prevent dementia—but this is where things get murky. Studies on these subjects are so conflicting at this point that scientists can’t settle on a definitive answer. And of course, it’s important to remember the risks you take by drinking any kind of alcoholic beverage. The calorie and carbohydrate content is good to keep in mind as well.

Dark Chocolate

The Pros

We just NEED to know: Can we eat our dark chocolate in good conscience? The research says it’s a go, in moderation of course. (We’ll take it!) It’s actually brain food, as eating a square of the good stuff can lengthen our attention span and improve alertness. Plus, cocoa powder’s high antioxidant content is comparable to that of other «superfood» powders.

The Cons

Chocolate loses a lot of its benefits when it’s processed, and added sugars, milk, or flavoring may essentially negate the good. Moral of the story: Reach for unsweetened dark chocolate or cacao, and keep your serving sizes small—even the unprocessed stuff can be high in fat and calories.

Burke TM, Markwald RR, Mchill AW, et al. Effects of caffeine on the human circadian clock in vivo and in vitro. Sci Transl Med. 2015;7(305):305ra146. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aac5125

Shechter A, Kim EW, St-onge MP, Westwood AJ. Blocking nocturnal blue light for insomnia: a randomized controlled trial. J Psychiatr Res. 2018;96:196-202. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.10.015

Reale M, Costantini E, Jagarlapoodi S, Khan H, Belwal T, Cichelli A. Relationship of wine consumption with alzheimer’s disease. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):206. doi:10.3390/nu12010206

What Do Chocolate, Wine and Green Tea Have In Common?

Looking at the three foods in the title, you’d be forgiven for thinking that they don’t have much in common. However, this is a common misconception as green tea, chocolate and wine are all in fact superfoods, meaning they are providers of some amazing health benefits that other foods could only dream of. You might be questioning how chocolate and wine could have a significant impact on your health, but it’s true… read on to find out why you should be doing all you can to pack these 10 super ingredients into your diet.

Green Tea

According to researchers at the University of Scranton, drinking green tea can prevent the hardening of arteries, which goes some way to preventing heart attacks, strokes and serious blockages in the lungs. So, why not swap regular tea for a green tea every once in a while, a healthy substitute your heart will certainly thank you for.

Dark Chocolate

Much to many people’s surprise, dark chocolate contains antioxidants which can lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and generally keep your heart healthy. Chocolate also lifts your mood, which means you can be happy and healthy at the same time. Choose a chocolate which is 70% cocoa for and enjoy the added benefits of your daily treat.

Red Wine

In moderation, red wine is considered a superfood, or super-drink. Surprisingly, it contains vitamins A, B, K and G and a small percentage of calcium and iron, which makes it great for staving off colds and can even help with weight loss. If you’re a fan of the red tipple then consider purchasing a wine from Sardinia, Chile or France as they’re said to produce the healthiest grapes.

Bok Choy

This green superfood contains a good amount of vitamin B which is used to aid healthy digestion, reduce stress and keep skin healthy. It also contains potassium, which can help to regulate the heartbeat. Not only is bok choy great for your whole body, it’s really easy to get into your diet. Include it in a stir fry dish, try chicken and bok choy soup or even make yourself a bok choy salad. It is even included in a range of healthy Chinese takeaway dishes, which include mainly steamed vegetables, fish and soups – it’s true, take a look at your local menu.

Goji Berries

These berries are a huge source of vitamins and minerals containing all 8 essential amino acids as well as vitamin A, C, iron and antioxidants – pretty amazing for a small berry! Research has shown that they can help to improve your immune system and help you stay on track with a diet as they contain a lot of energy in small servings. You can make a variety of snacks with these berries so try out this vanilla almond goji berry granola for breakfast or these whole wheat goji muffins.

Parsley

Parsley has a range of health benefits that many people are probably not aware of. Most significantly, it can help to reduce inflammation so can improve symptoms of arthritis. This is due to an oil called eugenol which can help to prevent swelling in the joints. Parsley’s pretty easy to get into your diet as it’s one of the most commonly used herbs; if you’re unsure though, try this roast beef with spicy parsley tomato sauce recipe for your Sunday roast.

Tomatoes

This fruit/vegetable is considered a cancer-fighting superfood. They contain lycopene, which fights heart disease, along with vitamins A, C and E which, research has suggested, helps to prevent cancer. Tomatoes are such a common ingredient included in many salads and pasta sauces, you should have no problem featuring them in your diet at least a few times a week.

Salmon

Fish is often discussed for its health benefits due to its inclusion of omega 3 and amino acids. Salmon in particular is rich in minerals such as calcium and vitamins A and B. It’s also known to improve memory and keep your brain active for longer. For a quick and easy meal, try cooking a salmon fillet with lemon juice and sweet potato fries on the side.

Kale

A great replacement for cabbage and definitely something to try adding to your diet, kale contains a large amount of vitamin C (about 4 times as much as spinach), as well as an extraordinary amount of vitamin K to help prevent blood clots. One of the most popular recipes including kale is kale chips, it’s also a regular feature in many smoothie recipes too.

Walnuts

Eating just 14 walnut halves can provide you with twice as much alpha-linolenic acid as your target daily amount. Surprisingly, they also contain omega 3, so, similarly to salmon, they can also improve memory and even coordination. Try adding some chopped walnuts on top of a pasta dish or salad, or for a real treat try this low fat coffee and walnut cake recipe.

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7 Benefits of Dark Chocolates and Red Wine

Some fun benefits of indulging in chocolate & wine. Take them as you will, it’s not our medical research and this not intended to be medical advice in any shape or form!

Remove Toxins from the Body

Both red wine and dark chocolates are a rich source of antioxidants. Not only do they facilitate the removal of the accumulated toxins from the body but also lower the incidence of cell damage and infections in the body. By removing free radicals from the body effectively, dark chocolates and red wine keep the skin youthful and healthy. Not only do they invigorate the process of cell regeneration but also play a role in the formation of collagen, which is the main structural protein found in the skin.

Bolster the immune system

Red wine is not only delicious when it comes to taste, it is also highly nutritious. Packed with potassium, magnesium and Vitamin B, red wine is also a rich source of polyphenols. This chemical provides our body with the strength to fight against invading infections efficaciously. Polyphenol also aids the body in boosting its immune system. Apart from this, there is another chemical that is present in red wine, called resveratrol. Particularly known to assist the body in preventing diseases like cancer, this chemical also ensures a healthy heart. When had with dark chocolates, the benefits tend to proliferate. Also, there is no surprise that cognac is the other name for “the live water.” The dark chocolates provide the body with nutrients like Vitamin E and Vitamin C in good quantity, thereby facilitating the improvement of the immune system.

Prevent Disease

Due to their high content of antioxidants, both red wine and dark chocolates are known to help the body fight cancer. The polyphenols found in red wine, along with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E in the dark chocolates ensure that the tumor cells do not grow in the body. You can even try white wine for a change, which has similar health benefits to red wine. Hence, if had in appropriate amounts, this combination can enable you to not only stop the cancer cells from spreading but also kill them and nip them in the bud.

Uplift mood

All of us have to deal with a stressful schedule on a daily basis. If you are looking for something that can reduce your tension, you can count on the combination of red wine and dark chocolates. They contain substances that generate a serotonin effect in the body, thereby enhancing the mood. Due to the presence of carbohydrates, these foods together provide the body with a good amount of energy. Hence, indulge in them regularly and witness the invigorating effect on your body over time.

Rejuvenate the Heart

Dark chocolates, particularly, are rich in a compound known as flavonoids due to its rich cocoa content. It enhances the capability of the body to inhibit oxidation and remove toxins from the body. The high cocoa content also facilitates the body to maintain normal blood pressure, thereby preventing the heart from suffering excessive pressure. Red wine, on the other hand, averts damage to the blood vessels, reduce the LDL levels in the body and ward off blood clotting. All these functions together constitute a hearty heart. Therefore, adding these 2 foods in your diet can prove to be a boon for your cardiovascular health.

Avert Cold

As per a study, consuming red wine on a regular basis can drastically reduce the incidence of cold and related infections. This was found out to be due to the antioxidant properties of the red wine. Apart from it, cocoa performs the similar function with equal intensity. Researchers have found that theobromine, an alkaloid found in cocoa, is known to suppress coughs and cold efficaciously. Hence, now you have another reason to inculcate more often in dark chocolates and red wine.

Lessen the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Red wine reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s due to its high content of resveratrol. It strengthens the brain activity and helps enhance brain metabolism. For a better flow of blood to the brain, dark chocolates play a great role. Their high antioxidant value also enhances the functioning of the brain by invigorating it. They are, thus, great foods to consume, for a strong and nourished brain.

Why not find your favourite dark chocolate and red wine and enjoy regularly? Will you be indulging in a classic Peruvian 70% dark chocolate bar, a flavoured dark chocolate treat, perhaps our English Mint bar or going for one of our rich and creamy dark vegan truffles. Whichever you pick, we’re sure you’ll feel the benefits!

Why not shop our full range of Love Cocoa Dark Chocolate products today either for yourself or as a gift for a loved one.

Best chocolates for red wines

Wendy Marie

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Take your next glass of red wine to another level of enjoyment by savoring it with chocolate. Life just got sweeter.

Chocolate and red wine are both delicious indulgences but delicious together? You may be a bit wary of this pairing and with good reason. Matching a chocolate with a red wine is not as simple as quickly grabbing any chocolate and bottle off the shelf. It requires a little forethought and a taste for experimentation.

Luckily there are a few guidelines that will help direct you on your chocolate and wine matching quest. Ideally the chocolate and wine selections should be close in sweetness. It doesn’t matter so much if one is sweeter than the other as long as neither is significantly sweeter.

Here’s why. If the chocolate is much sweeter than the wine, it will enhance the bitter flavor of the wine. If the wine is much sweeter than the chocolate, it will overwhelm your taste buds leaving no room for the flavor of chocolate.

Another good rule of thumb is to match flavor intensities. A deep, richly flavored chocolate needs a similarly deep, rich wine. Likewise a chocolate light in flavor needs a light wine.

Now that we’ve gone over the basics, it’s time to get to the good stuff.

Chocolate and red wine pairings

If bittersweet dark chocolates are your preference, then you’ll need strong red wines with concentrated fruit notes like a Cabernet Sauvignon, Ruby Port or Shiraz. Another excellent pair for this type of chocolate is a California Zinfandel. Bittersweet chocolates, because of their strong flavor and lack of sugar, can stand up to these higher tannin red wines. Tannins are responsible for the dry mouth and puckering that you experience after tasting some red wines.

Sweeter dark chocolates need a wine with slightly robust flavors. This is the perfect opportunity to accentuate the subtle chocolate notes of a Cabernet Sauvignon or Red Zinfandel. A Port wine also goes well with the rich, full flavor of dark chocolate.

Additionally dark chocolate or milk chocolate can be paired with Merlot or Pinot Noir.

If you prefer your chocolate a little sweeter, why not try a semi-sweet chocolate with Shiraz, Merlot or Banyuls. Ruby Port and milk chocolate are a natural, easy go-to pair.

Looking for a red wine to have with your chocolate soufflé? A port style or late-harvest red is an excellent choice. Either of these sweet wines will stand up nicely to the sweetness of chocolate desserts.

White chocolate, considered by some as technically not a chocolate, is surprisingly a match for Zinfandel. This pair is a case of opposites attract. The high tannic and high alcohol content of the Zinfandel paired with the creamy, buttery white chocolate blends together.

Allow these guidelines to get you started on your chocolate and wine pairing adventure but don’t be afraid to make your own matches.