Chocolates: The Missing Piece in every Wine and Cheese Basket

During the holidays, there are three food items that are almost always present in every party and dinner – chocolate, cheese, and wine. Why not put all these together in one basket and make yourself a unique and tasty treat this holiday season?

A unique holiday treat, this dessert idea will definitely keep you from the stress of cooking elaborate dishes for the occasion. And because most wines and cheeses are best served at room temperature, there is no need to prepare several hours before the event.

While wine and cheese gift baskets are a common sight to every party, adding a box of gourmet chocolates in the picture will definitely excite your guests’ taste buds. A chocolate, wine and cheese basket is ideal for any holiday party and dinner especially if you have younger guests. Really, who can say no to chocolates?

To keep you from spending a lot of time thinking which item goes well with what, it would be better if your focus on one item first and then use the other two to emphasize that item’s unique flavor. And since you want to make desert, the chocolates should play the main role. {Pick the kind of chocolate that you want first, then the kind of cheese that goes well with it and the wine that will sum up all the taste. ~ Choose what kind of chocolate you want for the platter, and then pick the right cheese and wine. ~ Choose which chocolate you want and then start from there.

The key in making your chocolate, wine, and cheese basket is to keep everything simple. It is not wise to put together a lavish combination of wines, cheeses, and chocolates. Putting together a wild mix of flavors can only overwhelm your guests’ palate.Here are some pairing suggestions for a great chocolate, wine and cheese basket:

Dark Chocolate
Since a greater part of dark chocolate is made up of cocoa, it usually comes with strong and complex flavors. That means a tasty Brie cheese or a mild blue cheese is great to enhance its sharp undertones. Strong flavored chocolates pair well with full bodied red wine like a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, which will highlight the fruity and spicy notes of the chocolate.

Chocolate Caramels
The options are endless! The buttery caramel taste will be greater when paired with a strong flavored goat cheese and the honey and floral flavor of Demi-Sec Champagne is perfect to balance its sweetness.

When Using Chocolate Covered Nuts
Chocolate covered nuts blend well with hard aged cheese such as cheddar or Gouda. Add a bottle of Pinot Noir in the cheese basket and its toasted and spicy berry hints will bring out the interesting flavor or chocolate and roasted almonds.