Stout or shiraz? Guide to pairing alcohol with chocolate

WITH the Easter long weekend the perfect time for indulging in chocolate, Dan Murphy's Expert Panel has identified the top six alcoholic beverages to pair with chocolate.

See the list and comment below on what your favourite pairing is.

Barbadillo La Cilla Pedro Ximenez ($39.99)

This is the darkest, thickest, richest, sweetest sherry of them all. It's like drinking liquid raisins, and pairs perfectly with dark chocolate.

Buller Fine Old Muscat ($18.05)

Rutherglen Topaque is one of Australia's greatest secrets. The Buller Fine Old Muscat NV is sensationally rich and lusciously sweet, and is simply delicious with dark chocolate.

Young's Double Chocolate Stout, UK, 500ml ($6 per bottle)

This is a silky, rich and creamy stout infused with chocolate flavour. Need we say any more?

Shingleback Davey Estate Shiraz, 2010 ($23.99)

McLaren Vale Shiraz is often said to have regional aromas and flavours of milk chocolate.

Modern examples are full-bodied and full of black fruits that are sumptuous enough to be consumed and paired with chocolate.

Mozart Liqueur Gold Chocolate  ($24.90)

Dan Murphy's expects to see a 34% increase in liqueurs during the Easter period, and it's no surprise when there's a luxurious chocolate liqueur like this on the market.

With hints of vanilla and caramel on the nose and a lush creamy chocolate taste, this liqueur will go perfectly with any Easter eggs.

Baileys Chocolat Luxe  ($32.99) 

Dan Murphy's expects to see a 100% uplift in sales of Baileys over the festive period, and with this decadent offering hitting the shelves just in time for Easter, its likely to exceed that number.

Combining real Belgian chocolate, Irish Whiskey and cream for a luxurious, rich, molten chocolate drinking experience, Baileys Chocolat Luxe will go perfectly with (or in place of) any chocolate.

Additional options

Peter Nixon and Tony Titheridge from the Dan Murphy's Wine Panel also provided the below suggestions:

Fratello Hazelnut Liqueur ($31.90)

With opulent smoky hazelnuts, cinnamon, vanilla pod flavours and just enough creaminess, Fratello Hazelnut Liqueur is an excellent match for white chocolate.

Cockburn's Special Reserve Port ($24.99)

This port tastes of toffee, dark chocolate, mocha, Oolong tea, all brought together with a rich walnut and maple syrup mouth feel.

A decadent liquid that pairs beautifully with dark chocolate;

Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale ($6.99 per bottle)

This beer tastes exactly as its name promises.

Toffee in flavour, but it is the pudding consistency that begs for the creaminess of white chocolate to play the role otherwise belonging to custard.