When you think of October you think of crisp air, colorful foliage, harvest, and, of course, Halloween. Dubbed as Spooky Season, the month of October offers a lot, especially for those of us in the Seattle area. It’s a time we can all indulge in cozy, home-cooked meals, scary movies, haunted houses, scenic drives and hikes, and decadent candy. We’re chocolate fans here at Patterson Cellars, specifically jcoco chocolate fans, and thought we’d share three of our favorite wine and chocolate pairings to upgrade your Halloween celebrations this year.
2018 Mélange Blanc Paired with Veracruz Orange & Cayenne Pepper White Chocolate
To kick-off this spectacular experience, we’re pairing Veracruz Orange & Cayenne Pepper White Chocolate with our 2018 Mélange Blanc. This wine is made with fruit from some of the most exclusive vineyards in Washington State. Made with 55% Roussanne, 30% Viognier, and 15% Chardonnay, this white blend provides aromas of honeycomb, fresh-cut pear, and light herbal tea. The Viognier lends supporting aromas and flavors of white peach and flowers that end with a mineral note that lasts throughout the long finish. The Chardonnay adds citrus and green apple notes that provide a crisp and agile feeling on the palate. Probably the most interesting pair you’ll hear of today, we can attest the 2018 Mélange Blanc and Veracruz Orange & Cayenne Pepper White Chocolate belong together. The orange and cayenne pepper notes of the white chocolate complement sweeter, floral notes of this full-bodied wine perfectly. A compromise of fruit, sweetness, and spice, this pairing brings out the best in each other.
2018 Forbidden Rosé Paired with 80% Dark Chocolate
Our next pairing features the 2018 Forbidden Rosé and 80% Dark Chocolate. Decadence paired with decadence is the best way to describe this incredible combination. Our 2018 Forbidden Rosé is a rich blend of the finest fruit from the Columbia Valley AVA. Slightly off-dry in style, aromas and flavor of ripe raspberries, cherries, and melons dominate the palate with just enough acid to balance and provide a long, refreshing finish. After a sip of this gorgeous Rosé and a bite of the 80% dark chocolate, you will experience a match made in heaven as the fruity notes of the Rosé complement the richness of the dark chocolate perfectly making for a fan (and winemaker) favorite.
2017 Forbidden Red Paired with Boharat Dark & Bali Sea Salt Toffee Milk Chocolate
We’re rounding out this Halloween upgrade of Patterson Cellars wines and jcoco chocolates with the 2017 Forbidden Red paired with the Boharat Dark & Bali Sea Salt Toffee Milk Chocolate. Our dark and mysterious 2017 Forbidden Red is a blend made of 41% Mourvedre, 31% Syrah, and 28% Grenache. This beautiful blend opens with lush notes of blackberry cobbler, sweet dark cherries, and plums, followed by hints of strawberry compote, thyme, and vanilla. Smooth and slightly earthy flavors of dark cherries and blackberries lead to a long finish of light tannins and lingering fruits with just a hint of smoked meats. With such a seductive and indulgent flavor profile, we had to pair this wine with chocolate that could fend for itself. Enter: Boharat Dark & Bali Sea Salt Toffee Milk Chocolate. We couldn’t have paired better chocolate, or food in general for that matter, with the 2017 Forbidden Red. With flavors of both dark and milk chocolate, as well as toffee topped with sea salt, this jcoco chocolate found a home next to this wine as it not only matches the darkness and mystery of the Forbidden Red but brings out its lush, light, and fruitier notes.
We’ve come to the end of this sweet journey. If you’d like to experience this decadent selection and more for yourself, visit us at any of our four tasting rooms for a wine and chocolate pairing experience. We’d love to host you and be a part of your new Halloween traditions!