Wine and chocolate pairing

Decadence Meets the Glass: A Guide to Pairing Wine with Chocolate

January 30, 2026

There’s something undeniably luxurious about savouring chocolate alongside the right glass of wine — a sensory duet where texture, sweetness and aromatic complexity play together on the palate. This is especially true when you’re working with artisanal truffles, such as those from Mandrile Melis — master chocolatiers from Piedmont, Italy, renowned for their velvety textures and nuanced flavour profiles.

Below are tailored wine pairing suggestions for each of their sumptuous truffle varieties, perfect for dessert occasions, tasting evenings or simply savouring something special.

1. White Chocolate Truffles — Bright & Buttery

The Mandrile Melis White Chocolate Truffle is rich and creamy, with toasted hazelnut warmth balanced by a dusting of cocoa for depth.

Mandrile Melis White Chocolate Truffles

💡 Wine Match:
Sweet or aromatic white wines work beautifully here. A Moscato d’Asti or a late-harvest Riesling will echo the butteriness of the white chocolate while uplifting its sweetness with floral or citrus notes. Dry, crisp whites such as Sauvignon Blanc can offer refreshing contrast, cutting through richness without overpowering it.

2. Dark Chocolate Truffles — Bold & Intense

The Dark Chocolate Truffle from Mandrile Melis brings satisfying depth and cacao intensity — prime territory for wines with structure.

Mandrile Melis Dark Chocolate Truffles

🍷 Wine Match:
Full-bodied red wines, like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, complement the complex bitterness and robust cocoa flavours. For a classic, indulgent route, a fortified wine such as Ruby or Tawny Port balances dark chocolate’s intensity with lush sweetness.

3. Milk Chocolate Truffles — Smooth & Creamy

Milk chocolate’s gentle sweetness and creamy texture calls for wines that are equally soft and welcoming.

Mandrile Melis Milk Chocolate Truffles


🍇 Wine Match:
Light to medium-bodied reds like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais harmonise with milk chocolate’s mellow profile, adding fruitiness without too much tannin. Alternatively, sweet or off-dry wines such as Lambrusco or Moscato d’Asti enhance the creamy notes while keeping the pairing bright on the palate.

4. Coffee Truffles — Deep & Aromatic

Coffee truffles bring rich roasty notes, a hint of bitterness and a multilayered flavour that begs for a wine with complexity.

Mandrile Melis Coffee Truffles

Wine Match:
A sweet fortified wine, such as Madeira or Pedro Ximénez Sherry, echoes the toasted character of coffee while adding layers of dried fruit and caramel. Rich dessert wines — even a Vintage Port — can also stand up to coffee’s boldness without clashing.

5. Coconut Truffles — Tropical & Delicate

The coconut truffle’s tropical essence and soft sweetness create a playful contrast with cocoa dusting.

Mandrile Melis Coconut Chocolate Truffles


🥥 Wine Match:
Sweet, aromatic whites or lighter reds bring out the exotic notes here. Gewürztraminer or an off-dry Riesling with stone fruit and floral character complements coconut’s aromatic profile. For something more adventurous, a slightly sparkling Prosecco can add refreshing lift and palate cleansing bubbles.


Tips for Chocolate-and-Wine Success

Pairing wine with chocolate isn’t about rigid rules — it’s about balance and harmony. A few guiding principles help: the wine should generally be as sweet or sweeter than the chocolate, and intensity should be matched so that neither element overwhelms the other.

  • Sweet wines and dessert styles, like Moscato, Riesling, Sauternes, or Port, are reliable partners for most chocolate types.

  • Delicate chocolates (white, milk) thrive with aromatic whites or lighter reds.

  • Rich, bitter chocolates (dark, coffee) fare better with structured reds or fortified wines that complement their complexity.


Final Sip & Savour

Whether you’re hosting a tasting party or enjoying an evening of self-care, matching wine with these exquisite Mandrile Melis truffles adds a layer of sophistication and joy to every bite and sip. Cheers to curiosity, flavour exploration and indulgent pairings that make dessert a moment rather than a momentary treat.

🍷🍫✨

More articles