Graham's 20 Year Old Tawny Port
Douro Valley, Portugal • splurge
Toffee, fig, and toasted walnut with warming spirit sweetness.
Chocolate Lava Cake
dessert • rich • chocolate
Also known as: molten chocolate cake
About the Dish
Chocolate Lava Cake is a american dessert that leans on dessert, rich, chocolate. We look for bottles that respect the texture and seasoning without drowning the dish.
Our goal: keep the dessert feel intact while adding lift from 20-Year-Old Tawny Port.
Top Pour: 20-Year-Old Tawny Port
Caramelized nuts and dried fruit mirror molten chocolate richness.
Body: fullAcidity: mediumSweetness: sweet
Why it works
- Oxidative nuttiness echoes toasted sugar crusts.
- Sweetness and alcohol stand up to rich chocolate intensity.
Signature aromas
toffeedried figcocoa
Bottle inspiration
Pairing Playbook
- Oxidative nuttiness echoes toasted sugar crusts.
- Sweetness and alcohol stand up to rich chocolate intensity.
- Avoid: dry sparkling wines, high-acid sauvignon blanc.
FAQ
- What wine pairs best with Chocolate Lava Cake?
- 20-Year-Old Tawny Port is our first pour because Caramelized nuts and dried fruit mirror molten chocolate richness..
- Are there budget-friendly alternatives for Chocolate Lava Cake?
- Look for lighter-bodied, high-acid bottles; they tend to be more affordable and still keep the dish lifted.
- Which wines should I avoid with Chocolate Lava Cake?
- Skip styles like dry sparkling wines, high-acid sauvignon blanc—they fight the seasoning or overwhelm the dish.
- What if I want a non-alcoholic pairing for Chocolate Lava Cake?
- Try sparkling water with a citrus twist, chilled oolong tea, or verjus spritzes—they mirror acidity without the alcohol.
Skip These Bottles
dry sparkling wineshigh-acid sauvignon blanc