A Taste of Wine Country from the Comfort of Your Couch
Who says wine tasting requires a road trip? These days, more and more wineries are making it easy (and fun) to swirl, sip, and snack without ever changing out of your slippers. One of my favorite at-home tasting kits came from Dutton Estate Winery, and it made for the perfect cozy night in.
The kit included five mini bottles of wine and two chocolate bars, each divided into flavored squares to pair with specific wines. The lineup included a Chardonnay, Kylie’s Fumé Blanc, Berry Block Pinot Noir, La Familia Pinot Noir, and My Father’s Syrah. There was a little hiccup with shipping and the Chardonnay didn’t make it to my doorstep, but shoutout to Elizabeth from Dutton Estate for the quick, thoughtful customer service.
Here’s how the tasting went:
Pairing #1 (Skipped)
This was supposed to be the Chardonnay with the apple chocolate, but since the Chardonnay was MIA, we moved right along.
Pairing #2 – Kylie’s Fumé Blanc + Apricot Chocolate
This wine was the star of the show for me. Bright, tropical, zesty, and smooth on the finish. The apricot chocolate brought out even more stone fruit in the glass, making this pairing an unexpected standout.
Pairing #3 – Berry Block Pinot Noir + Almond Chocolate
This Pinot didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It felt a little shy on flavor, but I suspect a few years of aging might bring it out of its shell. That said, it worked beautifully with the almond chocolate, proving once again that food can totally change how a wine shows up.
Pairing #4 – La Familia Pinot Noir + Cranberry Chocolate
This Pinot was packed with dark berries and had a nice touch of cracked pepper. The texture was velvety, and the finish was long and satisfying. As for the chocolate pairing? I think this one got mismatched. The cranberry chocolate didn’t quite sing with the wine, and I honestly think it would’ve worked better with the almond from the last round.
Pairing #5 – My Father’s Syrah + Espresso Chocolate
Syrah and I don’t always get along, but this one was a pleasant surprise. Full of juicy blackberry, raspberry, and cherry, it had just enough richness without being overly peppery. Paired with espresso chocolate? Chef’s kiss. This one came in second place for me.
If you’re looking to bring a little wine country magic into your living room, an at-home tasting like this one is such a fun way to do it. Whether you’re planning a solo night in, a virtual hangout, or a casual guided tasting with friends or family, you can create your own mini wine experience without ever leaving the house.
