A dry wine often tastes thin or bitter beside sweet chocolate because the dessert contains more sugar than the drink.
Match Sweetness
The wine should usually be at least as sweet as the dessert.
Use Dark Fruit
Ruby Port and Banyuls echo berry and cocoa flavors.
Mind Bitterness
Very dark chocolate can work with fortified wine better than tannic table red.
Bottom line
The best pairing or buying rule is the one that makes the next bottle easier to enjoy. Taste, compare, and keep notes on what works for you.
Pretentiously Sipping wine guide
