Who doesn’t love wine and chocolate? People around the globe have enjoyed these goods for centuries, and in many societies they have long been prized as luxury items. In fact, in several cultures both wine and chocolate were revered and associated with the divine. Each is delicious on its own, but why not combine them for an even more luxurious experience? Of course, pairing wine and chocolate isn’t necessarily anything new, but it takes an expert touch to create pairings that truly harmonize.
Lucky for us, the folks at Black Walnut Winery in Sadsburyville, PA have teamed up with Bridge Street Chocolates in Phoenixville, PA to show people exactly how harmonious these pairings can be. Their collaboration has resulted in a series of wine and chocolate education classes that are a true treat for the senses. Black Walnut Winery hosts these events in the winery’s 200 year old historic bank barn, a unique space that has been renovated to provide modern amenities, while still retaining a welcoming old world feel and rustic charm. The classes give attendees the opportunity to learn about the processes of chocolate and wine making from experts in the field.
Throughout the class, guests not only learn how wine and chocolate are made, but also how to pair the two together in winning combinations. Local chocolatier Gail Warner of Bridge Street Chocolates and winemaker/co-owner Lance Castle of Black Walnut Winery guide the class through tastings to better understand the fundamentals of wine and chocolate, and how they interact together. The class has a fun group atmosphere as everyone explores the intricacies of their palates. Ever wonder why similar chocolates have such different tastes and mouth-feels? Have you been curious about the role tannins, acidity, and sweetness play in wines? The experts address all of this and more with fun and interactive hands-on experiments to boot.
Of course, a class on pairing wine and chocolate wouldn’t be complete without tasting some fantastic examples. Gail from Bridge Street and Val Castle from Black Walnut put together some truly delectable wine and chocolate pairings for the participants to enjoy. These pairings showed a range of flavors and combinations to help class-goers see the breadth of possibilities. My personal favorite was a Vidal Blanc paired with a coconut truffle. The Vidal Blanc was sweet and clean, which worked wonderfully with the coconut and white chocolate. This pairing made the coconut flavors “pop” and highlighted the pleasant acidity of the wine, which in turn helped cut through the richness and sweetness of the white chocolate. Balance can be tricky with pairing wine and chocolate, but here the sugars, tannins, and flavors all worked well together.
For all those aspiring chocolatiers and anyone interested in chocolate, Gail of Bridge Street Chocolate did a fantastic on-site demonstration. Ever wonder about tempering, molding, and different kinds of covertures? Gail covers all of this, and even shares some tips, tricks, and advanced chocolate making techniques.
Anyone interested in learning about barrel aging in wine making will get a real treat with a visit down to the cellar. In the barn’s lower level you’ll learn about the special interplay between wine and wood, and how it is responsible for some of your favorite wines.
If you are a lover of wine and chocolate, these classes are really fun and worth the trip. They offer loads of information, and help you explore your palate in a fun and interactive setting, while indulging in some delicious local specialties. The next wine and chocolate education class will be held on Sunday June 2. So mark the date, grab some friends, and head to Black Walnut Winery for a luxurious experience with wine and chocolate.
Find Black Walnut Winery at their winery HQ at 3000 Lincoln Highway in Sadsburyville, or at their Phoenixville-based Tasting Room at 260 Bridge Street. More information is available here. Learn more about Bridge Street Chocolates here.
Photographs credited to Nathan Garber.
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