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Ghirardelli Intense Dark Gourmet Bars Making Magic with Perfect Pairings
3/13/2006
Chocolate and...? No question, Ghirardelli’s four new decadent Intense Dark Gourmet Bars are irresistible all by themselves. Pull off the wrapper and release the rich, fragrant chocolate aroma that will start mouths watering. Snap off a piece, bite into velvety smoothness and revel in exquisite chocolate intensity. It’s the ultimate chocolate experience.
But what happens if you pair these bars with food or drink? If it’s the perfect pairing, you heighten subtle, nuanced notes…you enhance aromas…you build complex, layered tastes…you create a new kind of flavor magic! These explorations can lead to innumerable taste adventures at chocolate tasting parties or simply for your own enjoyment.
To source the most spectacular pairings, Ghirardelli convened a panel of some of San Francisco’s top culinary professionals. After a preview tasting of Ghiardelli’s four new Intense Dark Gourmet Bars, the panel was tasked to find the perfect culinary partners.
Panel members were: Alice Medrich, chocolate authority and cookbook author; Elizabeth Falkner, executive chef and managing partner of Citizen Cake and Citizen Cupcake; Nicole Plue, pastry chef of Julia’s Kitchen; Peter Marks, curator of wine at COPIA; Eric Shelton, pastry chef and owner of Sketch ice cream shop; and Catherine Pantsios, Executive Chef of the Ketchum Food Center.
Twilight Delight
Characteristics:
This 72 percent cacao dark chocolate bar has intense chocolate flavor and a silky smooth texture. Highly aromatic, the bar has mocha, blackberry and dark cherry flavor notes and a slightly smoky quality. A sensuous chocolate, this bar has a long finish and a delightful, lingering flavor.
Pair with:
Drinks:
Cognac
Armagnac
Dry red wine to bring out fruity character, such as Zinfandel, Syrah or Cabernet
Black Muscat
Wines with low tannin
Dark beer; stout
Black tea
Nibbles:
Brioche
Sweet baguette
Toasted almonds
Dried fruits such as figs, raisins and dried cherries
Toffee Interlude
Characteristics:
This dark chocolate bar is infused with crunchy toffee and caramelized almonds. It has a seductive aroma and the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. This is a sophisticated bar with a juicy and mouthwatering quality that’s highly addictive. Cacao content is 48 percent.
Pair with:
Drinks:
Guinness; Anchor Steam Beer; Porter
Barley wine
Cream sherry
Drambuie
Nibbles:
Salty snacks
Salt & vinegar chips
Chex party mix
Citrus Sunset
Characteristics:
The essence of orange blossoms is captured in this bar, made with 60 percent cacao. Zesty orange bits and caramel crunch provide a delightful textural and flavor contrast to the smooth, dark, rich chocolate. The refreshing, cleansing quality of citrus makes this bar a crowd pleaser.
Pair with:
Drinks:
Orange Muscat
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
Coffee, espresso or cappuccino
Green tea or jasmine tea
Nibbles:
Cottage cheese
Chèvre
Cream scone
Dried apricots
Espresso Escape
Characteristics:
Espresso and chocolate are in perfect harmony in this irresistible dark chocolate bar made with 60 percent cacao, fused with finely ground, deep-roasted espresso beans. Flavor notes include dried cherry, prunes and caramel. Creamy-smooth, this succulent bar is complex on the palate, with a remarkable depth and brightness of flavor.
Pair with:
Drinks:
Young Cabernet
Madeira
Tawny Port; Ruby Port
Anisette
Cup of hot chocolate
Steamed milk or vanilla milk
Nibbles:
Brioche or croissant
French toast
Marshmallows – make adult S’mores
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