Chocolate Day
The so-called “food of the gods” – by the Mayan and Aztec civilizations – originated in the country we know today as Mexico. As in wines, cocoa and then chocolate contain tannins. The highest tannic purity is found in bitter chocolates. In the mouth, this food becomes buttery. Here are some suggestions of agreement between the millenary Xocoatl and the wines that can best accompany it.
Bitter Chocolate – From 70% cocoa a bar is considered “bitter chocolate” which indicates a higher level of purity. There is a slight bitterness and even some astringency, which will invite to harmonize with a sweet liqueur red wine, with extensive oak aging, such as Rutini Colección Encabezado de Malbec, which achieves the desired balance.
Milk Chocolate – Any dairy product incorporated to another food makes it softer, silkier and with light fatty textures. Therefore, it would be appropriate to propose this variant with sweet red wines, which accredit a moderate ageing in oak such as Trumpeter Reserve Fortified Malbec.
Chocolate with Spices (Peppers) – Here, the aromatic and flavor profile will lean towards pungency, i.e. spicy edges, so a suitable combination could come from the hand of an unctuous white wine that, at the same time, gives freshness to the palate. Rutini Colección Vin Doux Naturel made from Semillon and Verdicchio grapes would be a good recommendation. The over-ripening of the berries and the treatment with Botrytis Cinerea make this wine a unique experience.
White Chocolate – Sparkling wines are great allies to accompany this dessert, usually called chocolate, although in reality, it is not. This variant offers a smooth texture and a higher fat content than its black counterpart, so when choosing its match, the companion will be different. Rutini Colección Extra Brut or Dominio Extra Brut will offset the creaminess and sweetness of the white chocolate with the subtlety of its fine bubbles.
Chocolate Truffle – This melted chocolate bonbon, which can be served with coffee, will have its best companion in a spirituous alcohol: Rutini Colección Destilado de Orujo de Malbec. Finishing a menu with coffee and a glass of Grappa is a typically Italian tradition, where the flavor and intensity of the coffee is highlighted, resulting in an exquisite combination of flavors. This balance between sweetness, bitterness and intensity will be a formidable closure to the gastronomic experience.
