Port wine and chocolate. Both intense, complex and full of character.

On their own, they can make any moment special, but when combined, they have the power to create truly unforgettable experiences.
However, for this pairing to work perfectly, it is important to find the right balance between the style of port wine and the type of chocolate chosen.

In this article, we explore some pairing suggestions that will allow you to take advantage of the best that these two worlds have to offer.

The key to a good pairing between Port wine and chocolate lies in balancing the sweetness and intensity of both, so that neither overshadows the other.

As a general rule, the wine should be slightly sweeter than the chocolate. This helps to prevent the chocolate, especially dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, from making the wine taste bitter or overpowering its more delicate aromas. As a fortified wine with a high residual sugar content, port wine is naturally an essential pairing for this type of combination.

Another important principle has to do with intensity. It is important to choose a wine with a similar ‘weight’ to the type of chocolate you are going to taste. More intense chocolates, such as dark chocolate, need equally structured and complex wines.

When in doubt, there is a simple guide that rarely fails: dark chocolates pair better with dark, full-bodied wines; lighter chocolates call for lighter, more delicate wines.

The goal is always the same: to achieve a balance that enhances the flavours of both, without one overpowering the other.

Below, we share some of the most successful combinations, so you can experiment and find your favourite.

With 70% or more cocoa, dark chocolate stands out for its deep profile, slightly bitter notes and richness in tannins &mdash characteristics that, curiously, bring it closer to many wines. This intensity requires a matching pairing, with wines that can match its structure and presence.
Full-bodied Port wines, with a good alcohol content and a robust aromatic profile, are ideal partners. An LBV (Late Bottled Vintage), a young Vintage or a Ruby Reserve are classic suggestions that work particularly well. These choices create a true dialogue between flavours, where the strength of both elements is balanced and the more complex details of each are highlighted.
Dry red wines, on the other hand, should be avoided. The high concentration of tannins, present in both wine and chocolate, tends to generate an excessively bitter and unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Sweeter and smoother, milk chocolate is the most versatile of all when it comes to pairings.

Any Ruby Port wine is a safe choice, thanks to its fruity intensity and generous body. A Tawny Port, with its caramelised notes of dried fruit and spices, offers a more elegant approach. Its aromatic depth combines perfectly with the smoothness and creaminess of milk chocolate, creating an engaging, comforting pairing full of nuances.

With its pronounced sweetness and buttery texture, white chocolate also finds worthy partners in the world of Port wine. The secret lies in seeking out wines with similar sweetness and elegance, capable of harmoniously accompanying the creaminess of this type of chocolate.
A young Tawny Port or a medium-dry or sweet White Port are good choices, which will enhance the flavours of the chocolate and add notes of dried fruit, honey or caramel, resulting in a light and captivating experience.

If you prefer a more contrasting pairing, opt for a dry White Port with higher acidity, which will bring more freshness and balance, cutting through the sweetness and matching the weight of the chocolate without detracting from its elegance.

The growing popularity of gourmet chocolates with added flavours has opened the door to a new world of combinations that have won over connoisseurs around the world. With these innovative offerings come new possibilities and challenges when it comes to finding the right wine to accompany them.

Ingredients such as candied orange, pink pepper, fleur de sel, pistachio or ginger bring sophisticated chocolates to life, requiring creativity when it comes to pairing. Fortunately, Port wine is up to the challenge: its versatility allows it to keep up with new trends and adapt to the diversity of flavours in modern chocolates.

The secret to these combinations lies in identifying the predominant flavour in the chocolate and choosing between two approaches: pairing by similarity, when the flavours of the wine and chocolate complement each other, or by contrast, when unexpected and stimulating combinations are created. In both cases, the goal is the same &mdash to achieve a balance between the aromas and textures of the two elements.

If the chocolate contains nuts such as hazelnuts or almonds, a Tawny Reserve Port, or a 10 or 20-year-old Port, is a suitable choice. The aromas of this type of wine blend very well with those of chocolate, enhancing its flavour and creating a play of warm, velvety textures.

Chocolates with pistachios, with a creamier texture and a more delicate flavour, pair well with a more mature Tawny Port. The depth and smoothness of this wine create an exquisite pairing, worthy of phenomena such as Dubai chocolate, where pistachios stand out in creations with rich and sophisticated flavours.

When chocolate is flavoured with fruity flavours, such as candied orange, Tawny Port is once again an excellent choice. Its caramelised notes of dried fruit and honey combine well with the citrus sweetness, creating a balanced result full of personality.

On the other hand, chocolates with wild berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, pair better with a Ruby Port. The fruity intensity of this wine enhances the acidity of the fruit and creates a vibrant and harmonious contrast.

Pink pepper, with its delicate spicy touch, finds a surprising partner in Rosé Port. The freshness and lightness of this type of wine create an intriguing contrast, capable of awakening the palate.

Chocolate with fleur de sel, which combines sweetness with a salty mineral touch, takes on a new dimension with a Ruby Port or even a Late Bottled Vintage (LBV). The salt highlights the sweetness of the wine and offers a fascinating contrast, creating a surprising and sophisticated taste experience.

Caramel-flavoured chocolates are a natural match for Tawny Ports. The smoothness and notes of dried fruit, honey and vanilla in these wines enhance the creaminess and sweetness of the chocolate without overpowering it.

More exotic combinations, such as chocolates with ginger or lavender, challenge the palate with bold and unexpected combinations. In these cases, a dry White Port, with its vibrant acidity and notes of fresh fruit with a hint of spice, is the ideal partner. Its freshness balances the spicy sensation of ginger and enhances the aromatic delicacy of lavender, creating a delicious and memorable pairing.

More than just a classic combination, pairing port wine with chocolate has become a true sensory experience and is now one of the most sought-after offerings in wine cellars and wine tourism venues.

At the Cálem wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia &mdash the most visited in the region &mdash you can take part in themed tastings that combine port wine with chocolates. This connection gave rise to a delicious partnership between Cálem and Arcádia, a historic chocolate brand in the city of Porto, resulting in a line of irresistible products such as chocolate bonbons filled with Cálem Port &mdash a fusion of tradition and innovation, ideal for celebrating special moments or offering a gift with a genuinely Portuguese identity and flavour.

Once you discover the wide range of possible combinations &mdash from classic to daring, from intense to delicate flavours &mdash it becomes clear that port wine and chocolate offer a world of pairings to be explored.

And, of course, as with everything in the world of wine, the most important thing is to respect your own palate. Experiment, take risks and discover the combination that suits you best. Because in the end, the best pairing is the one that tastes good to you.

Visit our online store, UVA Wine Shop, where you will find a special selection of Port wines to start these delicious discoveries and create your own perfect pairings in the comfort of your own home.