I live in Wisconsin and, believe it or not, we have wineries and vineyards here!  We are not as well known as California or Virginia but we do all right.  If you haven’t had a Wisconsin wine recently, try a selection from Parallel 44 in Kewaunee, WI.

I have fallen in love with their Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon blend called “44”.  It is dry, bold, and intensely fruity up front.  I am a fan of Malbec for many reasons, but the main reason is that it pairs so well with chocolate.

Malbec is a medium-bodied wine, with flavors of cherry, plum, raspberry, and most of the time, a hint of chocolate.  If the Malbec is aged in oak, you’ll also taste vanilla.

This great combination of flavors naturally matches up with dark chocolates that carry similar flavors.  Choose a mid to high range cocoa content dark chocolate, say 60% to 70%, that presents flavors of red berries or dried fruit (raisin) mixed with pronounced cocoa notes.

I enjoy the “44” with a 70% Lindt Excellence bar.  The Valrhona Manjari 64% is also an excellent choice with Malbec.

Because of the robust tannins, Malbec wine also goes good with grilled steak. (OK, that's not chocolate, but I do have to eat other things from time to time.)

This is making me hungry.  I think I know what I’ll make for supper!

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Bryn Kirk

Course Facilitator at Chocolate University Online

Bryn worked for nearly 10 years in a research and product development for Ambrosia Chocolate Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now she develops all of the CUO lessons and coaches the members of the Primal Chocolate Club.

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