Cake and wine pairings are absolutely possible but can be challenging due to the high sugar content of each. We don't frequently combine cake with wine, despite the fact that it is a delectable combination. And for precisely this reason, if you're in the mood for a little indulgence or want to wow your guests, washing down a slice of divine cake with a fine wine can be ideal.This quick guide will help you find fantastic cake and wine combinations that bring out the best in each other, even if it can be a little challenging to pair the two considering their sugar level.
Cheesecake and White Dessert Wine
Since cheesecakes are creamy, rich, and not overly sweet, they are a perennial favourite among many people. What wine do you however serve it with? Now, cheesecakes come in a wide variety of flavours, which frequently causes misconceptions about this. This is why it may be advantageous to focus on the cheesecake's fat content rather than its flavour. A dessert white wine like Sauternes gives the ideal balance of acidity to cut through the richness of cheesecakes because they are typically quite rich and high in fat.
Red Velvet Cake with Pinot Noir
This thick, creamy, chocolatey, cheesy dessert is incredibly decadent but also a sinful treat! It's a very well-liked cake that may be served at any occasion, including birthdays, weddings, brunches, and high teas. Pinot Noir, which nicely enhances the flavour of the dark chocolate with its mild fruitiness, is the wine that best pairs with the deep richness of this cake. Cabernet Sauvignon is an additional wine that goes exceptionally well with red velvet. Although it is a full-bodied red wine, the chocolate crumb and cream cheese icing of the cake pair beautifully with the wine's deep cocoa and vanilla flavours.
Chocolate Cake with Red Blends
Each slice of a rich, dark chocolate cake seems like a tiny piece of heaven. Simply said, dark chocolate cake is a treat that leans in all the directions: it's dense, rich, sweet, and complex. Red wine must be mentioned when discussing dark chocolate combos. Red blends may provide a more casual option to a delectably refined paring, while zinfandel and merlot may be the first to come to mind when looking for a match. The slightly astringent or tannic characteristics of red wine, when paired with chocolate cake, will cut through the richness of the cake delightfully. The naturally complex nature of red blends will only further enhance the already sumptuous cake's deep depth without overpowering it.
Vanilla Cake with Chardonnay
Vanilla has mistakenly come to represent simplicity and dullness. Some people call it a bland choice, but perhaps it dismisses vanilla's understated charm too much. It's better to highlight vanilla cake's more understated qualities when combining wines with it. The ideal wine for it is chardonnay. The white wine won't be sweet enough to make the vanilla cake taste sickeningly sweet if it is on the drier side of the white wine spectrum. The richness and butterscotch aromas of the chardonnay will give the usually subdued vanilla some much-needed weight without upsetting the balance. Combining vanilla cake with chardonnay is a perfect example of the saying "simplicity is sweet" in some situations.
Strawberry Shortcake and Champagne
Of all the pairings, strawberries and Champagne are the most beautiful to look at or, better yet, to taste. Blacktail Strawberries can be a gift that is equally as romantic and opulent as Champagne since their strong sweetness pairs well with the dryness of the bubbly. Together, they ascend to heights that evoke romance and glamour, and who doesn't need more of those? Although strawberry shortcake may seem a touch rustic, it may retain its beauty when served with Champagne while adding a little unexpected flavour. The sumptuous sparkling wine's dryness is balanced by the biscuit base of the shortcake, and the wine's brut flavour is contrasted and complemented by the strawberries and cream.