Chocolate and wine on Valentine’s Day menu

DID you know that if you have a nibble of really good dark chocolate and then follow it by a little sip of a reasonable red wine, you will be treated to the unexpected and truly wonderful taste of bitter-sweet cherries?

No, neither did I. At least, I didn’t until I attended a “virtual chocolate tasting” this week, which I enjoyed immensely. It was staged by the famous Swiss chocolate company Lindt - and the virtual experience is to be rolled out to all chocoholics across the UK from Thursday 11 February.

As a journalist, I’ve been invited to lots of “virtual” experiences since the lockdowns began, but this was - without doubt - one of the best. Which is hardly surprising because you get six bars of Lindt’s top of the range Excellence chocolate to taste and learn about.

And it is fascinating. Designed for one, or preferably two people to share and enjoy together, participants are sent a box containing a selection of six bars which will stimulate the five senses. The selections will include dark chocolate, chocolate with fruit, chilli, or whatever, as well as a brand new line which is exclusive to Lindt chocolate shops. The box also includes a tasting card.

Each hour-long interactive session is hosted by a Lindt chocolate expert who will guide guests through Lindt’s fascinating ‘Bean to Bar’ story and demonstrate the art of chocolate tasting.

Let me tell you… a nibble of Lindt’s intensely flavoured orange chocolate with a sip of Prosecco should be enough to set even the most unromantic person up for Valentine’s Day.