Forum Activity for @Corinne C. DeBra

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Short answer: bourbon and single malt scotch, in that order- Kentucky bourbon chocolates (great base for a winter hot milk/chocolate beverage), from Louisville, KY- Devil in an Apron's Chocolate pecan pie with bourbon, from CA- BonBonBar's single malt scotch candy bar is not bad either, from Los Angeles, CAI can't eat wheat/gluten/malt - so beer and ale & chocolate is out, except for the rare gluten-free versions of beer I can find. However, I am planning to make some wheat-free brownies with gluten-free beer this weekend (in a solar cooker no less). We'll see how they turn out.Cheers,Corinne

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I've consumed thousands of different wines and hundreds of dark bars. Periodically combining the two has not yet provided me with a worthwhile experience. Subjectively, I've found that the wine does little to improve the solo chocolate experience and chocolate can sometimes completely diminish the perception of the wine's most desirable characterisitcs. I guess the same potential for dissonance exists with any wine/food pairing. I'll keep trying and may yet discover a good match. In the mean time, I have found 70% + chocolate and Cognac to be complementary. I attribute the perceived harmony to the warmth, softness and vanilla notes in the Cognac combining with the richness and mouth feel of the melting chocolate. Without the clutter of excess sweetness, acid or tannins, the taster can experience the various stages and long, ever changing finish one gets by tasting a fine dark bar - only more sensual.

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I've been pairing Lemoncello liquer with Waialua Estate 70% . I make a liquer cup out of the chocolate pour in the liquer...drink the liquer and eat the cup. A little more sophisticated "shooter"!

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Emily:If you've read my book you'll know that I don't like making blanket recommendations for pairings. There are just too many flavors in "Argentine Malbec" and too many flavors in "dark chocolate" to make a statement that in effect says, "All Argentine Malbecs go with all dark chocolates."That is not the case.So, while I am sure there are combinations that do work, I don't have any specific recommendations I can make on this type of pairing.:: Clay

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Jack Daniels in hot cocoa is my favorite

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Matusalem is GREAT Dominican rum. Very good choice.

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

One of my favorite adult mix-ins with hot chocolate is peppermint schnapps.

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Clay, what do you think of pairing an Argentine Malbec with dark chocolate? I ask this in light of the recent press this type of wine has recently received. As always, I look forward to reading about your opinion.

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Prosecco is really nice, I tried some Lambrusco too but it didn't work out. Some sherry-like dry white wines, for me went well with Madagascan chocolates. As to hot chocolate, which I usually prepare from Amedei Toscano Black 70 and whole milk (in the US, half-half is not bad neither) I add just a tiny drop of Matusalem 40 years old rum. It is a punch.

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Im not a beer or wine drinker, but I do love a good deep rich hot chocolate with Bailey's or Ameratto Di Sorono added....

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

If you are interested in some interesting pairings, here's my recent article on the Top Chef/Bravo for Foodies blogs. I discuss my experiences at a recent chocolate, cheese, and beer tasting I participated in.

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Glad to know someone else enjoys Prossecos paired with chocolate. At my last party, the theme was "chocolate". Every dish, savory and sweet had chocolate in it. I served bottles of Prosecco and tried to convince everyone to try it with my chocolate desserts especially the truffles. Somehow, I did not get any rousing approval from anyone. No matter, it is still my favorite combination. As you, I like, Mionetto and Malvolti

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

As I mention in my book, perhaps my overall favorite wine to pair with chocolate is Prosecco; it certainly is the most versatile.Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Italy. It comes from a small denominazione in the Dolomite mountains northeast of Venice. Just as Cava is Spain's version of Champagne, Prosecco fills the same role. The Bellini, which was invented at Harry's Bar in Venice, is a combination of white peach nectar and Prosecco. It is not made with Champagne because it's an Italian drink, not a French one.As a general rule, Proseccos are lighter, less acidic, and less alcoholic than many Champagnes. The bubble structure has a very creamy mouthfeel, which is one of the reasons I think it pairs so well with so many different types of chocolates.My favorite brands are Mionetto, Carpene Malvolti, and Bellenda. You want to choose dry/brut Proseccos. There are even some wonderful rose Proseccos.

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

In my book I devote a whole chapter to pairing wines and chocolates. Over the past few years I've tasted dozens of wines (some fabulous, some less so), and I will be sharing some of them here. I have also learned to appreciate chocolate paired with beers.I encourage members share some of their favorites.
updated by @Clay Gordon: 04/15/15 18:13:23