Wine Tasting: Wine & Chocolate

That was quite a bit of fun. I must admit, I'm still not convinced we managed a perfect chocolate and wine pairing, but I loved the wine and I loved the chocolate (thanks, Quinn, for the great truffles!). Thanks to everyone for bringing chocolates, and for the company. Most of the wines came from K&L Wines, but several of the dessert wines were purchased at winery tasting rooms. Favorites in bold.

1. 2008 Banfi Brachetto d'Acqui Rosa Regale ($20): so pink, so pretty, so likable, a touch sweet, but with a chalky finish that reminds me of prosecco. A crowd favorite.


2. 2005 Ruston Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (on sale $20, reg. $45): this was a great deal at the sale price K&L had a few weeks ago, but all sold out now (RP 90pts)


3. 2007 Rosenblum Monte Rosso Reserve Zinfandel ($45): big Rosenblum Zin, might be on sale if you look around.


4. 2004 Pezzi King Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel ($18): one of my favorite reasonably priced Zins from a few years ago, almost port-like, and 16.5% alcohol. Perfect with (or for) dessert.


5. 2005 Feiler-Artinger Zweigelt Beerenauslese ($32/375ml): nice, balanced Austrian dessert wine, sweet, but still light and not cloying


6. 2000 Isole e Olena Vin Santo Del Chianti Classico ($48/375ml): awesome, sherry-like, complex, good acidity, dark palate, worth the money (and that's saying a lot).


7. 2006 Teldeschi Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Port ($25/375ml): I really liked this, too, but not quite as much as the Fritz and the Rosenblum


8. 2004 Fritz Dry Creek Valley Late Harvest Zinfandel ($25/375ml): consistently my favorite late harvest zin, available only direct from the winery, strikes the right balance between sweet zin fruits and just enough acid to set off chocolate, rather than compete with it.


9. 2006 La Tour Vieille "Vendanges" Banyuls ($25/500ml): classic chocolate pairing choice, like a port but a bit lighter, bit less complicated


10. 2006 Rosenblum Rosie Rabbit Late Harvest Zinfandel ($18/375ml): good value, Zin fruits, sweeter than the Fritz, but just right for chocolate


11. 2007 Bonny Doon Angel Paille ($20/375ml): by this point, my palate was a mess, but I liked this (the only white wine of the evening).


12. NV Bouteille Call Framboised Syrah Port ($15/500ml): bit too much candy in a glass for me, but YMMV