When it comes to deciding on a birthday gift for a really close friend or family member, you might often be at a loss of what the recipient would love and appreciate. Some people like flowers while others are always happy to receive food or gift vouchers. However, sometimes these can seem insufficient or not personal enough. A solution to these gifting problems is the time-tested combination of wine and chocolates. You can be rest assured that your loved one will treasure your gift and be pleased with your choice. There are quite a few options for birthday wine gift baskets out there for you to explore. However, it is of utmost necessity for you to be able to choose the right combination.

You might wonder as to why selecting the appropriate combination is so important. Well, both chocolates and wines have various flavor profiles and you must pair them well to enhance the taste of both elements. They are nonetheless expensive also. So, here are some effective tips for you to pair wine with chocolates for birthday gifting in particular.

White Chocolate with White Wine

The texture of white chocolate is delicate and creamy and the chocolates invariably contain cocoa butter. However, cocoa butter is not the same as actual cacao and so, the chocolates are creamy confections made from mixing milk solids, cocoa butter and sugar. The delicate nature and refined taste of white chocolates pair best with white wines that are on the sweeter side. A bottle of Moscato or ice wine goes best with these chocolates. Basically, find a wine that is as delicate as the chocolate and you will have the perfect gift.

Dark Chocolates with Full-Bodied Wines

Dark chocolates, loved by most chocolate lovers, contain more cocoa than other types of chocolates. Dark chocolates have the percentage of cocoa on their labels, which can vary between 35% and 70%. You have to consider this percentage while choosing the accompanying wine. As a rule of thumb, dark chocolates are ideally paired with fuller bodied wines. The rich taste of these wines gets even more flavourful when consumed along with dark chocolates.

Chocolate truffles with Light Wines

Almost all chocolate truffles have a creamy flavour coupled with a gooey texture. Chocolate truffles go well with a variety of wines. The only factor you have to keep in mind is that the wine should be crisp and light. You can take your pick from red wine, white wine, white dessert wine or port wine. A light wine to complement the creaminess of the chocolate is one pairing that will make your loved one crave more.

Milk Chocolate with All Types of Wines

Milk chocolate is a creamy mix of chocolate liquor, milk solids and cocoa butter. Since milk chocolates maintain a perfect balance between the sweet milk and the rich chocolate flavors, they pair well with practically all types of wines. The chocolates have a higher milk content, which also implies that any wine tastes great with it. However, if you want to err on the side of caution, you can go for a pair of milk chocolates with sparkling wine too.

So, now that you are aware of the best combos, place your order and get ready to surprise your loved one on their birthday. It will be an icing on the cake if you know their preferences and can customize a combo just for them.