Meet our chefs
The GODIVA global team of Chefs and Chocolatiers keep the Belgian tradition alive and delicious.
To begin, examine the attributes of the chocolate exactly as you would during a chocolate tasting. That includes noting the aroma, listening for the snap when you break it, and checking the shine and glossiness. Before tasting the chocolate, do the same for the wine.
Look at the wine… Swirl the wine in the glass and be aware of the colour and the viscosity.
Smell the wineAnd breathe in all of the aromas in a long, smooth smell.
Taste the wine Sip and let it fill your mouth. Notice the wine’s complexity and which flavours come to mind. Now take a small bite of the chocolate and let it sit on your tongue. When it just begins to melt, sip the wine again and swirl together with the chocolate.
When pairing wines with chocolate, one rule of thumb is to make sure that the wine is as sweet, if not sweeter, than the chocolate. Otherwise, the wine can overpower the chocolate and rob it of its sweetness. In general, match lighter chocolate with lighter-bodied wines and richer chocolate with more full-bodied wines. Milk Chocolate is complemented by white wine, lighter red wines, and champagne, while Dark Chocolate pairs well with full-bodied red wines.
“For the optimal tasting experience, start with lighter wines and finish with more full-bodied wines. These are just my suggestions but I encourage you to come up with your own unique pairings. Happy tasting!”
Champagne paired with Milk Chocolate
Our creamy Milk Chocolate tablet pairs well with the crisp, dry flavour of Champagne.
Chardonnay paired with Milk Chocolate with Fruit
Milk Chocolate blended with fruit is complemented by the rich citrus flavours of Chardonnay. Pair with the light, fresh fruit taste of our Milk Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.
Pinot Noir paired with Milk Chocolate with Caramel
Our Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel tablet with buttery caramelized toffee pieces and a hint of salt provides the perfect contrast with the delicate berry notes of Pinot Noir.
Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Dark Chocolate with Nuts
The nutty richness of our Dark Chocolate with Almonds tablet presents a perfect match with the full bodied, peppery flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Look at Chocolate...
Note the decoration, sheen, and perceived flavour (e.g. milk, dark, almonds).
High quality chocolate should have a glossy sheen and an even texture.
Smell Chocolate...
Lightly rub the chocolate's exterior, place towards the nose and smell the chocolate to stimulate your senses.
What aromas do you pick up? Vanilla? Spice? What else?
Hear Chocolate...
Break the chocolate into two pieces.
Listen for a loud, crisp snap, which is a sign of good quality and texture.
Taste Chocolate...
Take a small bite and let it rest on the tongue for 10-15 seconds.
Notice how different aspects of the chocolate melt at different times, and how you pick up multiple flavours throughout the experience.
Feel Chocolate...
Enjoy the happy feelings and benefit from the healthy
antioxidants that are released as you savour the chocolate.