Chocolate is romantic. Wine is romantic.
And yet it takes great care to put them together in a way that brings out the best in each. Both wine and chocolate can have intense, complex flavors. Just as with couples, the personalities may interact in unexpected ways.
Wineries around Clark County invite visitors to try special pairings in honor of Valentine’s Day during the SW Washington Winery Association’s Chocolate and Wine Weekend Tour Feb. 14-16.
The tour is a way for wineries to support each other, said Jennifer English Wallenberg of English Estate Winery in east Vancouver. When you visit one winery, you’ll receive information about the others participating in the tour. Each has varying offerings and hours.
Wallenberg’s winery has again collaborated with Vancouver-based Peggy’s Handmade Chocolates to play matchmaker between wine and custom-made confections.
“For instance, we’re paring a cran-raspberry-infused chocolate with pinot noir,” Wallenberg said.
English Estate’s tastings, $8, are 3 to 6 p.m. Feb. 14, and noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16. The winery is also hosting a lobster bake at 6 p.m Feb. 15. Tickets are $55 each and available online at www.englishestatewinery.com.
Heisen House in Battle Ground is pairing chocolate bites with five of its wines, including Pinot Noir Rose Pet-Nat, Cupid’s Arrow and Love Potion No. 9. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 14-16.
Windy Hills Winery in Ridgefield is pairing wine with chocolate truffles from Le Belge Chocolatier of Napa, Calif. Wine and chocolate flights are $20 each. Hours there are 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 14, noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 15, and noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 16.
Burnt Bridge Cellars in downtown Vancouver will pair wines with confections from Fleur Chocolatte just a few blocks away. Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15, and 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 16.
To see what other wineries have in store, visit www.swwawine.com/valentinesweekend/.
