Glam Slam: Hot Chocolate!

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I am a chocoholic. There, I said it! I LOVE the stuff. No time is better than the holidays for chocolate…it’s great for gifts and special occasions like holiday parties.

“Be adventurous,” advises Katrina Markoff, owner and chocolatier of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, a fave of Kelly Ripa, Brooke Shields and Susan Sarandon. “People love a culinary experience so don’t stick to the tried and true milk, dark or white chocolate. Choose chocolate flavors that tell a story through their ingredients. Beautiful packaging plus beautiful chocolate is always a win-win hostess gift. A beautiful gift and instant dessert course.”

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Katrina shares a few affordable wine/liquor pairings with Vosges Haut-Chocolat for the holiday season.

THE CHOCOLATE: Vosges Haut-Chocolat Mo’s Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar THE SPIRIT: Rogue Shakespeare Stout THE PERFECT PAIRING: Rogue Shakespeare Stout is an ebony-tinged brew, laden with notes of chocolate and just the right amount of hops to complement the umami notes in the Bacon + Chocolate line.

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THE CHOCOLATE: Vosges Haut-Chocolat Exotic Caramel Collection THE SPIRIT: Glenmorangie 12-Year-Old Quinta Ruban Port Wood Finish Scotch THE PERFECT PAIRING: This single malt Scotch emanates a nose of fresh citrus and butterscotch, giving way to a voluptuous and velvety texture on the palate that is in perfect harmony with the Crema Caramel. Note the port wine finish with undertones of toasted nut that complement the caramel’s cashew.

THE CHOCOLATE: Vosges Haut-Chocolat Exotic Caramel Collection THE SPIRIT: Los Amantes Mezcal THE PERFECT PAIRING: Verde Caramel with a shot of Mezcal from Oaxaca. Not to be confused with tequila, the distinctive smoky taste of Mezcal comes from baking agave nectar in underground wood ovens.

THE CHOCOLATE: Vosges Haut-Chocolat Exotic Truffle Collection THE SPIRIT: Piper-Heidsieck Brut Rose Champagne THE PERFECT PAIRING: Pour a little pink bubbly to start a celebration! Commence your tasting with the white chocolate, macadamia nut and Cointreau Ambrosia truffle; with your second sip, give our milk chocolate Wink of the Rabbit truffle a whirl. Rosé Champagnes are a tad fuller bodied than their golden counterparts and in general, tend to stand up better to darker chocolates.

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THE CHOCOLATE: Vosges Haut-Chocolat Dark Chocolate Truffle Collection THE SPIRIT: Swanson Vineyards Oakville Merlot, Napa Valley THE PERFECT PAIRING: Swanson’s 2005 Oakville Merlot opens with a bouquet of black cherry and plum, leading to powerful notes of espresso and smoked berries. Its fine-grained tannins linger on the palate and transforms as they combine with dark chocolate. The perfect gift for the sophisticated connoisseur!

For more info, head to www.vosgeschocolate.com.

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