February 5-7 & 12-14, 2010

Four of the finest chocolatiers have been hand-picked right from our beautiful Texas Hill Country backyard: Chocolat in Fredericksburg, Wiseman House Chocolates in Hico, Payton Artisan Chocolates in Round Rock and Fat Turkey Chocolate in Austin. These four companies have created an assortment of chocolates to pair with the vast number of wines crafted at the 25 wineries.

Austin Truffles

Austin Truffle Co. crafts award winning chocolate truffles, cakes, and other desserts. Owned and operated by Head Pastry Chef Brad Payton, Austin Truffle Co. combines artistic skill and impeccable taste to charm your senses. Enjoy unique truffle flavors such as Honey Jalapeno, Smore, Margarita, Champagne, and much more. Have an event without dessert? Austin Truffle Co., will step in with dessert catering experience to ensure that the last bite at your event is a memorable one. Austin Truffle Co. luxurious desserts are available online or in a retailer near you. Visit Austin Truffle Co. online at www.austintruffleco.com, (512) 569-4435, or schedule a free tasting with one of Austin's finest chocolatier and creator of fine confections.

Fat Turkey

Fat Turkey's philosophy on chocolate making is simple. They use only fine chocolates sourced from Europe and South America, premium liquor and liqueurs, local fruits and vegetables, and premium spices in all of their products. All of their chocolates are handmade, contain no preservatives and are best enjoyed fresh. They offer a chocolate truffle of the month and several other delicious gifts on their website fatturkeychocolate.com.

Quintessential Chocolates

Quintessential Chocolates is the oldest and only chocolatier in the nation who specializes in Liqueur Praline (accent grave over the e) or the art of casting a liquid center chocolate. This European process is almost 200 years old; we celebrate our 25th year in business creating this artform and have produced over 150 distinctive flavors ranging from hand-made spirits such as Kentucky Straight Bourbons, Tequila Almendrado, and special liqueurs; to all varieties of Wines including hearty reds, delicate whites, dessert wines and ports; to non-alcohol Coffees and Fruit Nectars. You can find them on the web at www.chocolat-tx.us

Wiseman House Chocolates

What makes our chocolates unique? The answer is simple: real chocolate from origins such as Belgium and Venezuela, fresh ingredients like whipping cream and chopped fruits, natural flavors like crushed coffee beans, all combined with unique liqueurs and spices. We leave out added sugars, glutens, sodium nitrates, and trans fats. The result is a full rich flavor profile, smoother texture, and an indescribable taste. Our fine handmade chocolates you will take you back in time, as you enjoy the same richness and flavor that inspired the Ancient Mayans to revere chocolate as the nectar of the gods. Shop at our Website: wisemanhousechocolates.com

Tips for Pairings Wines with Chocolate

Typically the wine should be at least as sweet, if not a touch sweeter, than the chocolate you are serving it with. Otherwise, the taste may quickly veer towards bitter or sour. When pairing wines with chocolate, your best bet is to match lighter, more elegant flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be.

White Chocolate

White chocolate tends to be more mellow and buttery in flavor, making it an ideal candidate for a Sherry, a Moscato d’Asti, or an Orange Muscat. Another route, for pairing wine with white chocolate is going for the contrast pairing approach, this is a little riskier, but when you find a match it can be exceptional. For example, taking a wine like a Zinfandel which tends to have a heavier tannic content and often a higher alcohol level and partnering it with a creamy, buttered white chocolate can have an unusual "melding" affect. It's like the tannins get softened out by the fat content and make for a remarkable potential for pairing.

Milk Chocolate

Pinot Noir , or a lighter-bodied Merlot will complement a bar of milk chocolate, a creamy chocolate mousse or chocolate accented cheesecake. Rieslings, Muscats or dessert wines tend to hold up well to mild milk chocolates. Also consider a sparkling wine or Champagne for pairing with milk chocolate dipped strawberries. Last, but not least a classic milk chocolate pairing to consider is a nice Ruby Port - a very safe bet when looking for a perfect wine to accent milk chocolate.

Dark Chocolate

Dark or bittersweet chocolates need a wine that offers a roasted, slightly robust flavor itself, with perhaps a hint of its own chocolate notes. Cabs and Zinfandels have a history of perfecting the dark chocolate match, resulting in an unparalleled tasting combination. A Cabernet Sauvignon or a Zinfandel will more than fill your chocolate pairing expectations. Also consider a Pinot Noir or a Merlot to handle dark chocolate around the 55% cocoa mark. Finally, give a Tawny or Vintage Port a go to offer a very well balanced pairing approach to a dark chocolate dessert or truffle.

Ideal Couples

• The flavors of warm chocolate soufflé cakes with raspberry sauce explode when paired with a late-harvest Sauvignon Blanc or a late-harvest Chenin Blanc.
• A sweet sparkling rosé adds extra sparkle to chocolate fudge cheesecake.
• A tawny Port or an orange Muscat are the perfect match for bourbon pecan tart with chocolate drizzle.
• Give chocolate-chip shortcakes with berries and dark chocolate sauce a try with a late-harvest Zinfandel