Valentine's Day: Wine & Dessert Pairings!

Alright, friends, Valentine's Day is (literally!) right around the corner- tomorrow! As today is Friday the 13th, I've decided to not test my luck; rather staying in bed all day thinking about Valentine's Day tomorrow! Nick and I aren't going to do anything special, per se, as I have games both tomorrow and Sunday, and he has a game on Sunday as well. Nonetheless, I am sure when we celebrate, we will enjoy some scrumptious desserts paired with the perfect wines! For whatever dessert you are choosing to indulge in on Valentine's Day, here are the perfect wine pairings for you.

Before I delve into the pairings though, you have three main things to think about: acidity, sweetness, and intensity. For an acidic dessert- think something fruit-based- you will want an acidic wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc. The sweeter your dessert, the sweeter you will want the wine. And finally, the intensity of the flavors should match as well. Focusing on these three aspects will help you to perfectly pair and complement your desserts and wines!

Swedish Chocolate Cake

Chocolates or Caramel Desserts

Chocolate and caramel desserts (my favorite type!) tend to have buttery, caramel, or rich flavors. You will want a wine that matches and complements these flavors, so think of red for sure. Pinot Noirs, Shiraz, and Grenaches will be the perfect wine pairing for your Valentine's dessert!

Fruity or Spicy Desserts

Common flavors in fruity or spicy desserts will be apples, pears, cinnamon, or other spices. Select a wine to complement these flavors, such as a Zinfandel or Gewürztraminer. If you want to pair a champagne with dessert, select a rosé or pink champagne.

image

Vanilla & Custard Desserts

Vanilla and custard desserts will have sweet, buttery and light flavors. For a perfectly complemented wine, select a German Riesling or sparkling wine.

Any Dessert

Of course, one of the challenges with selecting desserts to pair with a wine is simply selecting the dessert. When there are so many delicious options out there, how can you possibly decide? If you have not pre-planned your dessert menu, definitely select a champagne or sparkling wine to pair with dessert. The bubbles of the wine will help to bring out any flavors that the dessert offers. And who doesn't love a great glass of bubbly?

What are your plans for Valentine's Day this year, and how do you and your significant other usually celebrate the holiday (if at all!)?