Pairing Chocolate and Merlot
The Velvet Mouthfeel
Merlot is a popular red wine varietal and blending grape, and recognized for its dark-blue/purple color, which usually tends to get associated with a blueberry. Merlots have much softer tannins and full flavor, even when young, making it approachable, drinkable, and one of the “more affordable” red wines.
On the palate, Merlot can be characterized as rounded, fleshy, deep, fruity (not sweet) and intense with a “velvet” mouthfeel. On the nose you’ll tend to find plum, berry, currant and sometimes vanilla. It also is grown successfully world wide, especially in Bordeaux, Italy and Northern California.
Merlot is a medium-bodied wine, lighter and softer than Cabernet, yet still full-flavored. Merlot pairs easily with roasted prime rib, grilled steaks, filet mignon, cheese (especially full-flavored cheddar, blue, camembert, etc.), duck, lamb, pork, veal, turkey, sausage, pasta and tomato sauce dishes, and bittersweet chocolate. Pairing with dark bittersweet chocolate enhances the velvety “more drinkable” profile for a phenomenal palate experience, bringing out the best in both the chocolate and wine.
Shop our suggested selections below, with a four-piece pre-made selection, as well as a "build your own tasting flight" option to host your own chocolate and wine pairing. Please keep in mind, all pairings are subjective person-to-person, and these are mere suggestions to help get you started to find your favorite pairings. We also have posted a wine aroma wheel so your guests can use it as a guideline to discuss what flavor notes/aromas they are noticing with each pairing. Want to share your initial thoughts or your favorite pairings? Let us know here!
Download WWC's Wine & Chocolate pairing notes template for hosting your own tasting party
Build-Your-Own Merlot & Chocolate Pairing Selection
Mix-and-Match our chocolate bar suggestions to build your own pairing flight.