“You give me the sweetest taboo/That's why I'm in love with you”

Don’t be confused this is an ode to two of life’s sweetest temptations- Chocolate and red wine. As we prepare to say farewell to another Texas Wine Month we're sharing our love for this decadent pairing of chocolate and wine in celebration of National Chocolate Day. I've been dying to try McPherson Cellars infamous Tre Colore, a unique fusion of three grapes well known for growing within the Rhone Valley, as well as Texas. I figured this would be the perfect time to see how well it holds up against these irresistible confections. I decided to pair the Tre Colore with an assortment of sweet vices by making a chocolate dessert charcuterie board. Dark chocolate much like red wine has a reputation of having amazing health benefits that enhance your energy and nourish your body. McPherson Cellars extended their Southern hospitality to me and shipped a few bottles to keep the party going during Texas Wine Month.

McPherson Cellars- Tre Colore 13.1% ALC $18 Purchase HERE or at your local Total Wine & More.

The Notes: Deep mulberry red to garnet in color. The aromas are complex and expressed with fruits like dark cherry and plum. On the palate the wine expands to highlight notes of black pepper, smoke and dark red berries. The earthy tannins are subtle in this three grape blend which strikingly reminds me of another Texas favorite, Mourvedre.

The Grapes: Cinsault 45%, Counoise 45%, Viognier 10%

The versatility of Cinsault makes it the perfect base for this creation, it lends its bright red hue and black pepper notes to the bottle. The Counoise grape lifts the aromatic profile bringing in aromas of blueberries and cherries. On its own Counoise is full of fruitiness and vibrant acidity, but blended with the other varietals helps to round out the fruit flavors. Viognier, a dry full-bodied white grape adds a touch of silkiness to the 2017 vintage with its delicate floral and tropical fruit notes. All three of these grapes grow well under the Texas sun.

The Pairing:

I love approachable reds that are still intriguing. While this red complements well with Texas staples like BBQ and Tex-Mex, its pleasurable on its own. The magical merger of chocolate and assorted red fruits contrast the smokiness in the wine producing a sweet and silky mouthfeel. I’d even pair it with some fatty red meats like a ribeye steak or pork which helps to highlight the tannins.

Shopping List for Chocolate Dessert Charcuterie Board:

Dark Chocolate bars

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars

Yogurt covered Almonds

Lotus Biscoff Cookies

Chocolate Hummus

½ Lb Strawberries

Dark chocolate Granola bites

Blackberries or Blueberries

Dried Cranberries

Apple slices

Cashews

Dried Figs

Red/Purple Floral garnish