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Chocolates: The Missing Piece in every Wine and Cheese Basket

29th December, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

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?

Aside from being different, this dessert idea is guaranteed to take away the stress of spending an entire day in the kitchen trying to whip up something special for the occasion. Since wines and cheeses are best served in room temperature, you can put them all together a few hours before your guests arrive.

Wine and cheese gift baskets are a common Christmas item, but when you add a box of gourmet chocolates in the equation, it becomes a whole new entre. A chocolate, wine and cheese gift basket is also perfect if your dinner involves the younger crowd. Really, who can say no to chocolates?

Choosing the kind of chocolate, cheese, and wine that will go perfect altogether can be confusing, which is why it would be best if you just keep your eye on one of the three and use the other two to emphasize its distinct flavor. Remember, you are serving this platter as a dessert, which means that the chocolates should be your main feature. {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 secret to making an excellent chocolate, wine, and cheese basket is to keep things simple. It is not wise to put together a lavish combination of wines, cheeses, and chocolates. You see, creating a wild mix of wines, cheeses, and chocolates can lead to an overwhelming blend of flavors. To make sure that you end up with the right choices, here are some pairing suggestions for a tasty chocolate, wine, and cheese basket.

For 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. Pair that with a full bodied wine like Cabernet Sauvignon to highlight the fruity and spicy notes of dark chocolate.

Chocolate Caramels
The options are endless! The buttery caramel will need the sharp taste of fresh goat cheese and the honey and floral flavor of a Demi-Sec Champagne to complement its sweetness.

For 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.