Chocolate Paired With Wine in Temecula County

 
At wineries throughout the Wine Country of Temecula County in southern California, about an hour’s drive north of San Diego, chocolate and wine are paired in different and exciting ways to engage wine lovers and bring chocolate fans into the tasting room where they can experience wines in a traditional setting.

At Wilson Creek Vineyard & Winery, the marriage of wine and chocolates is taken to an entirely new level. “We do chocolate here in a big way,” says Bill Wilson, one of the family members who owns the winery. Unconventional pairings of chocolate and wine are part of the winery’s overall philosophy about wine and life. “We try to put the fun back in wine tasting,” says Wilson.

The fun starts with Decadencia, a chocolate-flavored Port wine that is served in an edible chocolate shot glass. What better way to indulge chocolate cravings than with an old vine Zinfandel that is transformed into a smooth-tasting Port and infused with a touch of chocolate essence in the bottling process.

Wilson’s advice: Sip and nibble at the edge of the serving glass like a chipmunk. Too big a bite and the glass fractures. “Then it’s a mess,” warns Wilson.

When the glass is about two-thirds empty, it is topped off with the winery’s Almond Champagne to create Almond Joy® Delight, one of the most popular drinks at the winery.

Other Temecula wineries use chocolate to bring out the different flavor levels in traditional wines. At Leonesse Cellars an exquisite chocolate truffle is served with a 2002 Cinsault Port.

At Bella Vista Winery & Vineyard morsels of semi-sweet chocolate bring out the hidden character of a Late Harvest Petit Syrah. “Chocolate enhances the flavor of the fruit,” says Imre Cziraki, winery co-owner. “You can actually taste the grape.”

At Mount Palomar Winery, specially made milk and dark chocolate candies are filled with the winery’s award-winning Port and Sherry. Winery President Peter Poole says these confections are especially popular around the winter holidays.

Ultimately, chocolate is a powerful magnet and important part of the Temecula Wine Country experience. For more information visit www.temeculawines.org.

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