What wine pairs with chocolate?

By Amy McCudden

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Feb 06, 2026

With chocolate dominating the supermarket shelves, from Valentine’s delights to Easter treats, Amy McCudden sprinkles inspiration with some tempting wine and spirit pairings.

Silky, decadent and enough to make your mouth water at the thought, a piece of chocolate and a glass of wine don’t have to be saved for celebratory moments. Whilst you may enjoy a glass of red or white, a dram of whisky and an assortment of tempting chocolates in their own right, pairing them together can feel daunting. So, what do you pair with your favourite chocolate?

Like with most food and wine (and spirit) pairings, there are no hard and fast rules that must be strictly followed; they’re merely suggestions. So, whether you prefer to keep it plain and simple or like to indulge in something rich, revolutionise your chocolate fix with a winning pairing. Let’s explore some key tips, tricks and delectable pairings.

Tip1:

The well-used guideline of pairing sweet food with sweeter wine helps to avoid any bitter tastes. So, if in doubt, this is a fail-safe way to match chocolate.

Tip 2:

Consider complementary flavours. If the chocolate is paired with fruit, such as raspberries or strawberries, then consider a wine that also has those aromas and flavours.

Tip 3:

Stick to what you like. Some people may like a sweet wine, others may exclusively drink dry styles of wine and others may prefer a drop of whisky or gin. Suggested pairings are just that, suggestions. Please don’t force yourself to drink sweet styles of Sherry if you really don’t like it!

Tip 4:

If the chocolate already contains alcohol, then pair it with that drink. Champagne-infused truffles with Champagne make an exquisite pairing and perfect for celebrations or just treating yourself.

Indulgent Pairings

Bottle of Tanners Port wine on a white background

Milk Chocolate Truffles

Pair with: Tanners Patrono Fine Ruby Port

Aromas and Flavours: Juicy raspberry, black plum and red cherry.

A fruity style of Port that’s ready for drinking. It’s fruity, sweet and named after its captivating colour. There’s no need to decant either, which makes this Port simple to serve.

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Dark chocolate Sea Salt Thins

Pair with: Tanners Peaty Creag, 8 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

Aromas and Flavours: Malted biscuits, sweet smoke and orange peel

It's been a favourite since it launched in the mid-90s and has retained its distinct Island-influenced peaty character which is enveloped with notes of smooth toffee and molten caramel.

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Bottle of white wine with a label on a white background

White chocolate

Pair with: Muscat de Rivesaltes, Domaine Boudau 2024 (organic)

Aromas and Flavours: Lemon, pineapple and apricot

A hidden gem of the sweet wine selection! This dessert wine has a beautiful balance of sweetness and complexity. Sweet, not sickly, the zesty flavours will cut through the richness of white chocolate.

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What wines pair with flavoured chocolate?

Praline Chocolate: pick a wine that complements the nutty flavours. Noval 10 Year Old Tawny Port is the perfect match with aromas and flavours of walnuts, caramel, toffee, fudge and sweet spice.

Dark Mint Chocolate: The sweetness of Tanners Late Bottled Vintage Port 2019 will tame the bitterness of the chocolate, whereas the ripe berry flavours enhance the mint character.

Milk Coffee Chocolate: A tipple of Triana Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Jerez, Bodegas Hidalgo - 50cl is a marvellous partner for coffee chocolate. Rich and decadent with aromas and flavours of treacle, roasted hazelnuts and juicy raisins.

Matching wine, spirits and chocolate should be fun, so relax and enjoy exploring the flavours. There are no strict rules when it comes to pairing and hopefully this blog has sparked an idea for your next indulgent combination.