Wine & Chocolate Pairings for a Decadent Easter

Rich Reds & Silky Sweets – The Ultimate Easter Wine & Chocolate Pairings

Easter isn’t just about eggs and bunnies — it’s about flavour, indulgence, and treating yourself. At Molloys, we’ve handpicked three exclusive red wines that pair beautifully with chocolate and complement classic Easter dishes like roast lamb and rich desserts.

These wines are bold, smooth, and guaranteed to turn your Easter weekend into a luxury tasting experience.

🍷 Ca’ Vittoria Appassimento – Dark Fruit & Cocoa Elegance

Tasting Notes: Intense and full-bodied, with notes of black plum, black cherry, cocoa and vanilla spice.

Pair It With:

• Dark Chocolate Orange Slices – The wine’s spice and depth are perfectly balanced by the citrus brightness and bittersweet chocolate.
• Chocolate-Covered Almonds – A textural dream that complements the wine’s smooth structure and fruity finish.

Why It Works: The Appassimento technique concentrates the sugars and flavors in the grapes, mirroring the complexity of darker chocolates without overpowering them. A natural pairing for those who like their treats rich and refined.

🍷 Gran Passione Rosso – Velvety, Romantic & Surprisingly Perfect with Chocolate

Tasting Notes: Inspired by Amarone, this wine is full-bodied with generous dark fruit, sweet spice, and a warm, chocolatey finish.

Pair It With:

• Chocolate Truffles or Praline Eggs – Rich, creamy centers reflect the wine’s silky smoothness and depth.
• Milk Chocolate with Sea Salt or Caramel – Accentuates the wine’s fruit-forward notes while balancing its richness.

Why It Works: Gran Passione’s raisiny edge and dessert-like character allow it to harmonise beautifully with both creamy milk chocolate and deeper cocoa-based treats.

Don’t take our word for it:

“You will fall in love with this Gran Passione... delicious with red meat, and surprisingly good with chocolate – a perfect accompaniment to a romantic Valentine’s meal.”
— The Irish Sun, Feb 2025

🍷  Sancho Garcés Rioja Reserva Tempranillo – A Spanish Classic with Easter Charm

Tasting Notes:Aged for 3 years in American oak, this Tempranillo offers savoury notes of balsamic, forest floor, and dried fig, finishing with damson and a touch of spice.

Pair It With:

• Dark Chocolate with Figs or Nuts – Complements the wine’s earthy elegance and dried fruit notes.
• 70% Cocoa Bars or Easter Bark – Lets the savoury oak-aged character shine through.

Why It Works: Rioja and chocolate? Believe it. The aged complexity of this wine finds harmony in darker, more serious chocolate. It’s also a dream pairing with roast lamb — the ultimate Easter table centrepiece.

🐣 Fun Easter Pairing Ideas

• Host a Wine & Chocolate Tasting – Lay out small tasting glasses and chocolate bites, and enjoy pairing your way through flavour profiles.
• Easter Egg Hunt, Adult Edition – Hide small chocolates and leave wine tasting clues with each one.
• Chocolate & Cheese Board – Finish your Easter roast with a bold board of mature cheese, chocolate squares, and your wine of choice.