Fine Wine Pairings with Artisan Chocolates

The Rotary Club of Blacksburg, Virginia put on "The Chocolate Festival," a fantastic fundraiser throughout downtown! One event was offered by Gourmet Pantry by Roya: "Fine Wine Pairings with artisan chocolates provided by "Gearharts Fine Chocolates." Gearharts Fine Chocolates is located in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Pairing #1

Name: La Marca

Variety: Prosecco

Country: Italy

Year: NV

Price: $15

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: La Marca Prosecco is named for the La Marca Trevigiana zone, located in the heart of Italy's Prosecco region, where its grapes are grown. Founded more than 40 years ago, the La Marca winery joins tradition and innovation, ensuring the highest quality product.

My review: A nice prosecco, one I recommend. Notes of lemon grass, white peach, pineapple, and tropical fruits on the bouquet. On the palate was stone. At first, the carbonation felt unnatural, as if it was blasted with carbon dioxide in the bottle, but over a few minutes the wine relaxed, leaving a nice tingling sensation on the tongue.

Chocolate Pairing: Pistachio Toffee - Rich, buttery toffee loaded with roasted, lightly salted pistachios and bathed in our best bittersweet chocolate.

Chocolate Notes: Savory and salty

Pairing Notes: This is a great pairing, though of course sparkling wines tend to pair well with almost anything because of its tendencies to cleanse the palate. Sharp nuttiness comes with a release of salt minerals and levels the slight acidity of the wine.

Rating:

Full House

Pairing #2

Name: Alexander Valley Vineyards

Variety: "Temptation" Zinfandel

Country: California

Year: 2011

Price: $13

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: This is a dark purple wine with aromas of red and black fruit, plum, black cherry and spice. There are ripe flavors of red cherry, black pepper, blackberry and wild strawberry highlighted by slight vanilla and black tea. This is a juicy wine with a fruity finish.

My review: Aromatic notes of tobacco, dark chocolate, leather, hint of rubber, black currant, and red raspberry. On the palate, earthy flavors of tobacco and blackberries with a slightly acidic body.

Chocolate Pairing: Dark Chocolate Caramel - Our Signature Caramel made with Rich Cocoa, a touch of Balsamic Vinegar and cracked Black Pepper. Coated in Dark Chocolate and finished with Smoked Sea Salt.

Chocolate Notes: Dense in flavor and light in texture. Lovely touch of sea salt giving way to shark dark flavors with hints of cracked pepper.

Pairing Notes: An interesting pairing that created a heightened sense of acidity, yet with a creamy feel. Earthy tones came through of oak and tobacco.

Rating:

Full House

Pairing #3

Name: Cockburns

Variety: Fine Ruby Porto

Country: California

Year: NV

Price: $12

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: The cheeky, punch-packing ripe fruit of our Fine Ruby Port makes it the perfect Port for everyday, informal occasions. It’s versatile. We blend several young wines from a few different years to give our Fine Ruby the richness and the fresh fruit that you would expect of a zesty young Port. It is then matured for a few years in large vats, which gives it both its lovely softness and its ripe red fruits flavours. It also keeps the intense, deep purple colour of a nice and bright young Port.

My review: I personally am not a fan of port. Too sweet and too fruit-forward. Strongly aromatic of red fruits, sharp raspberries and red cherries. On the palate was a syrupy, viscous body holding some heat, tasting like cherry cough syrup. Low rating, but that's based on my palate. Many enjoy this port.

Chocolate Pairing: Criolla - Extra bittersweet (73.5%) Venezuelan single bean chocolate ganache with natural cacoa nibs, dipped in dark chocolate.

Chocolate Notes: Dark, bitter, crispy, powder notes

Pairing Notes: The pairing made the port more bearable for me, adding notes of leather and dense earthy flavors.

Rating:

Two Pair

Pairing #4

Name: Michael David Winery Inkblot

Variety: Cabernet Franc

Country: California

Year: 2013

Price: $35

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: How can something with such spectacular inky black juice be this easy drinking? It offers black cherry on the mid-palate, and a bit of graphite on the finish with a touch of vanilla. It shows complex aromas of freshly crushed fruit (blackberry and plum), pepper and tobacco. Velvet-smooth tannins, dense and rich, this elixir fills every corner of the mouth with its decadence.

My review: Quite a nice Cabernet Franc! Aromas of black currant, cherries, dark chocolate, and hint of pomegranate. Dense, slightly dry body of dried cherries and leather.

Chocolate Pairing: Pod & Vine - Fine chocolates crafted with Barboursville Vineyards' Virginia Cabernet Franc, Plum Preserves, and Gearharts' signature Dark Chocolate Blend.

Chocolate Notes: Light, creamy, airy

Pairing Notes: Earthy flavors prevail with this pairing, creating flavor pops of coffee, plum, and red cherries, very nice!

Rating:

Four of a Kind

Michael David Winery Inkblot Lodi Cabernet Franc 2013

Name: Michael David Winery Inkblot

Variety: Cabernet Franc

Country: California

Year: 2013

Price: $35

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: How can something with such spectacular inky black juice be this easy drinking? It offers black cherry on the mid-palate, and a bit of graphite on the finish with a touch of vanilla. It shows complex aromas of freshly crushed fruit (blackberry and plum), pepper and tobacco. Velvet-smooth tannins, dense and rich, this elixir fills every corner of the mouth with its decadence.

My review: Quite a nice Cabernet Franc! Aromas of black currant, cherries, dark chocolate, and hint of pomegranate. Dense, slightly dry body of dried cherries and leather.

Rating:

Four of a Kind

Cockburns Fine Ruby Porto

Name: Cockburns

Variety: Fine Ruby Porto

Country: California

Year: NV

Price: $12

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: The cheeky, punch-packing ripe fruit of our Fine Ruby Port makes it the perfect Port for everyday, informal occasions. It’s versatile. We blend several young wines from a few different years to give our Fine Ruby the richness and the fresh fruit that you would expect of a zesty young Port. It is then matured for a few years in large vats, which gives it both its lovely softness and its ripe red fruits flavours. It also keeps the intense, deep purple colour of a nice and bright young Port.

My review: I personally am not a fan of port. Too sweet and too fruit-forward. Strongly aromatic of red fruits, sharp raspberries and red cherries. On the palate was a syrupy, viscous body holding some heat, tasting like cherry cough syrup. Low rating, but that's based on my palate. Many enjoy this port.

Rating:

Two Pair

Alexander Valley Vineyards Temptation Zinfandel 2011

Name: Alexander Valley Vineyards

Variety: "Temptation" Zinfandel

Country: California

Year: 2011

Price: $13

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: This is a dark purple wine with aromas of red and black fruit, plum, black cherry and spice. There are ripe flavors of red cherry, black pepper, blackberry and wild strawberry highlighted by slight vanilla and black tea. This is a juicy wine with a fruity finish.

My review: Aromatic notes of tobacco, dark chocolate, leather, hint of rubber, black currant, and red raspberry. On the palate, earthy flavors of tobacco and blackberries with a slightly acidic body.

Rating:

Full House

La Marca Prosecco

Name: La Marca

Variety: Prosecco

Country: Italy

Year: NV

Price: $15

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: La Marca Prosecco is named for the La Marca Trevigiana zone, located in the heart of Italy's Prosecco region, where its grapes are grown. Founded more than 40 years ago, the La Marca winery joins tradition and innovation, ensuring the highest quality product.

My review: A nice prosecco, one I recommend. Notes of lemon grass, white peach, pineapple, and tropical fruits on the bouquet. On the palate was stone. At first, the carbonation felt unnatural, as if it was blasted with carbon dioxide in the bottle, but over a few minutes the wine relaxed, leaving a nice tingling sensation on the tongue.

Rating:

Full House

Jam Jar Sweet White 2014

Name: Jam Jar

Variety: Sweet White

Country: South Africa

Year: 2014

Price: $9

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: This charming, easy-drinking Moscato offers flavors of peach, apricot, lychee and orange blossom. A lively jolt of acidity keeps it fresh and fruity. Fancy enough for a special occasion toast, yet sweet-natured enough to enjoy every day, our bright and cheerful sweet wines are sure to capture your heart.

My review: For $9 this is a steal! Wonderfully floral on the nose, this wine breathes white flower petals, rose, and sweet pear, leading to flavors of lychee, taro, spices, and a sweet light body.

Rating:

Four of a Kind

Rare Red

Name: Rare Red

Variety: Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Petite Verdot, Merlot

Country: California

Year: NV

Price: $10

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: A multi-vintage blend of Zinfandel, Petite Verdot, Petite Syrah, and Merlot that is full-bodied and fruit forward with a spicy and complex finish. This wine has been partially barrel aged for eight months in American and French oak.

My review: Not impressed. Although this blend is supposed to smell this way, I do not care for the corked aromas, although the hints of wood was refreshing. Sour but nutty on the palate, the wine seemed harsh to drink. Definitely not a repeat.

Rating:

Two Pair

Breca Tovana Old Vine Garnacha 2013

Name: Breca Tovana

Variety: Old Vine Garnacha

Country: Munebrega, Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $9

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: Gnarled vines, grown without irrigation, are a mainstay of Spain’s winemaking tradition and produce small clusters of perfectly ripe Garnacha grapes. Aromas of blackberries, plums, and cherries fill the glass and develop into luscious flavors of black stone fruit. Long, supple tannins complete this extraordinary wine.

My review: Aromas of jammy fruits, blackberries, and slight rubber gives way to a leathery feel on the palate with hints of cinnamon on the finish. The wine sticks with a gritty feeling on the drinker's teeth.

Rating:

Flush

Marques de Caceres Verdejo 2013

Name: Marques de Caceres

Variety: Verdejo

Country: Rueda, Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $10

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: Vivid straw colour. Fresh, clean and intense bouquet enlivened by notes of citrus fruit with a depth of pears and apples. Deliciously fresh and full in the mouth where racy, focused flavours deliver notes of minerals, lemon rind and green apples. Good length and a refreshing finish. Has all the character of the best from its appellation.

My review: With hints of melon and orange, this Verdejo was enjoyably aromatic. However, on the palate the wine sits slightly acidic with limited flavor, perhaps too tight for flavor detection.

Rating:

Flush

Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Name: Dibon Cava

Variety: Brut Reserve

Country: Catalonia, Spain

Year: NV

Price: $10

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: 88 points – Wine Enthusiast
Made from 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada, the nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness. Cava, Catalan sparkling wine, is made mostly in the regions of Penedes, and the capital of cava is Sant Sadurni d´Anoia. Dibon is located in Vilafranca del Penedes, aproximately 20 Km from Sant Sadurni. The Dibon vineyard is in the process of becoming fully organic. It consists of 75 hectares of trellised vines 1000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea.

My review: Not too bad, but I was hoping for more. White peach and wheat grass on the nose with heat on the palate and a hint of hay.

Rating:

Flush

Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling

Name: Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg

Variety: Riesling

Country: Piesport, Germany

Year: NV

Price: $10

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: This wine’s light, airy mouthfeel belies its sweetness and intensity of flavor. Honeyed pineapple aromas; similar flavors on the palate, adding gentle citrus notes toward the long, sweet finish.

My review: Refreshing in every way. Pineapple, fresh pear, and soap in the aromatics, followed by a very light body of blueberry and slight cherry on the palate.

Rating:

Flush

Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud 2012

Name: Tres Ojos

Variety: Garnacha

Country: Calatayud, Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $7

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: 88 points – Robert Parker
The 2012 Tres Ojos Garnacha contains 15% Tempranillo (I wonder why), and unoaked cuvée of 200,000 bottles that matures in vat for at least seven months before bottling. What I tasted was a very honest, fresh and fruit-driven red with aromas of cherries, garrigue and thyme with a medium-bodied palate, some weight and tannins that would do better with food. This is a red that sells for a song.

My review: Quite an earthy wine. My style! On the nose shone hints of wood, dark chocolate, rubber, and tobacco. A slightly dry body with coffee and mildly complex fruit flavors.

Rating:

Full House

Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell 2011

Name: Torre Castillo

Variety: Monastrell

Country: Jumilla, Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $8

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: 89 points - Stephen Tanzer
100% Monastrell, aged in American oak for four months. Bright ruby. Powerful, spicy aromas of dark berry preserves and lavender. Fleshy and round on the palate, offering spicy blackberry and blueberry flavors and gaining sweetness with air. Finishes smooth, long and slightly warm.

My review: Cosecha, which is Spanish for "harvest," which couldn't describe this any better. A very earthy wine with clear Spanish distinction. Earthy on the nose of brambles and leather. A medium dry body sings of jam, plum, black beans, and dirty seafood. This is a must-have!

Rating:

Four of a Kind

Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose 2013

Name: Chateau Suau

Variety: Bordeaux Rose

Country: Bordeaux, France

Year: 2013

Price: $18

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: 88 points - Stephen Tanzer
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light, lurid pink. Tangerine, raspberry and white pepper on the fragrant nose. Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors with a refreshingly bitter edge. Closes clean and tight, with lingering spiciness and a touch of orange zest.

My review: I really enjoyed this lovely Bordeaux Rose. Relaxing nose of rose, pear, grass, and raspberry. Slightly acidic on the palate with flavors of light fruit, spice, earth, jalapeño (without the heat), and cracked pepper. This would be fantastic with food!

Rating:

Four of a Kind

Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino 2013

Name: Terre di Poggio

Variety: Pecorino

Country: Terre di Chieti, Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $9

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: Bright and savory, this floral scented Pecorino offers juicy tropical fruit and lemon drop sensations accented by notes of mint and thyme. The ripe fruit is balanced by brisk acidity that leaves the palate feeling cleansed and refreshed.
 

My review: Strong, sharp aromatics of tropical fruit with a light body of mild spice. Quite refreshing and enjoyable.

Rating:

Flush

AmRhein Traminette 2013

Name: AmRhein

Variety: Traminette

Country: Virginia

Year: 2013

Price: $16

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: A delightfully crisp wine featuring the flavors of pineapple and grapefruit. the acidity is balanced with the natural residual fruit sugar reminiscent of the German Spatlese.

My review: This was very interesting. Fresh on the nose with notes of minerals. On the palate was very dry with notes of stone, mineral, and subtle flavor of white fish.

Rating:

Straight

Am Rhein Vin de Péche

Name: AmRhein

Variety: Vin de Péche

Country: Virginia

Year: NV

Price: $14

Bottles Finished: 0 (Tasting Only)

Wine review: This wine has a delicate flavor of a ripe peach with layers of sweetness, reminiscent of a southern peach harvest.

My review: Very light and fresh on the nose that is quite fruit forward. A sweet, light body with strong fruit flavors of peach and cantaloup. A good wine, but too fruit-forward and sweet for my personal taste.

Rating:

Three of a Kind