Past So Chic Experience: A tour de France Wine And Chocolate Edition

On Wednesday 10 December, a select group of guests gathered at the French Chamber of Commerce for an exclusive So Chic masterclass dedicated to two of France’s most beloved indulgences: wine and chocolate.

Set against a cool, jazzy ambiance, the room glowed with soft lighting, elegant tasting tables, and the warm buzz of anticipation — the perfect setting for an evening of discovery, flavour, and French art de vivre.

The evening opened with the introduction of our two partners:

Laurent, Founder & CEO of Artisan & Terroirs

With passion and precision, Laurent presented eight French wines spanning iconic regions — from Rhône Valley reds to elegant whites and a beautifully sweet Jurançon.
The selection:

• Domaine Jeanne Gaillard – Viognier 2020 (Rhône Valley – IGP Collines Rhodaniennes)

• Domaine Pierre Gaillard – Saint Joseph Rouge Clos de Cuminaille 2021

• Domaine Féraud – Claux Guillard Rouge 2023

• Mas Saint Louis – Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Arpents des Contrebandiers 2017

• Les Vignes Oubliées – Languedoc 2021

• Combel La Serre – Cahors Cuvée Château 2019

• Château Bois Mondont 2015

• Domaine Cauhapé – Jurançon Moelleux Ballet d’Octobre 2020

Marie, Founder & CEO of Wildness Organic Chocolates

About Wildness Organic Chocolate
Wildness Organic Chocolate is a purpose-driven chocolatier championing ethical, sustainable and socially conscious craftsmanship. Based in Singapore, the brand partners with APSN CFA to offer meaningful employment to adults with special needs, who handcraft each chocolate with care. All Wildness creations are organic, vegan or dairy-free, gluten-free and made without palm oil, using responsibly sourced ingredients from around the world — from Bhutanese hazelnuts to Brazilian fruits. With its blend of gourmet quality and social impact, Wildness brings a unique depth and authenticity to every tasting experience.

Guests began with the reds, pairing each wine with a carefully selected Wildness chocolate. Conversation flowed naturally as everyone sipped, tasted, compared notes, and shared impressions, before moving gracefully into the whites and the dessert wine.

RED WINES

Domaine Pierre Giallard- Saint Joseph Rouge 2021

Grape: 100% Syrah
Chocolate pairing: chocolats noirs aux éclats de noisettes
A bold, structured Rhône Syrah meets crunchy hazelnut chocolate — a pairing that enhanced both the wine’s peppery notes and the nut’s warm, roasted aroma.

Domaine Féraud – Claux  Guillard Rouge 2023

Grape: 100% Grenache
Chocolate pairing: chocolats noirs avec des éclats d’agrumes
Fresh, juicy Grenache with citrus-accented dark chocolate created a vibrant contrast — zesty, lively, and an unexpected crowd favourite.

Mas Saint-Louis – Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault
Chocolate pairing: chocolats noirs riches en cacao
Intense, refined, and complex — this was a perfect “power match,” where depth met depth.

Les Vignes Oubliées – Languedoc 2021

Grapes: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan
Chocolate pairing: chocolats noirs riches en cacao avec un peu d’amertume
A beautifully balanced wine elevated by a slightly bitter chocolate, creating a smooth but expressive finish.

Combel La Serre – Cahors Cuvée Château 2019

Grapes: 100% Malbec
Chocolate pairing: chocolats noirs riches en cacao 
A rich velvety Cahors with deep cocoa notes- pairing with a high-cocoa chocolate felt like pure luxury.

Château Bois Mondont 2015

Grapes: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Chocolate pairing: chocolats noirs intense en cacao, tannique à l’amertume plus prononcée
A tannic, mature Bordeaux met its match in a chocolate with structure and bitterness — a pairing for those who love intensity.

WHITE AND DESSERT PAIRING

Domaine Jeanne Gaillard- Viognier 2020

Grape: 100% Viognier
Chocolate pairing: chocolats noirs aux zestes d’orange
A sensual, aromatic wine paired perfectly with citrus-accented chocolate — floral, fresh, and elegant.

Domaine Cauhapé – Jurançon Moelleux 2020

Grapes: Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng
Chocolate pairing: chocolats au lait doux
The dessert pairing: silky, honeyed Jurançon with gentle milk chocolate. A soft, comforting finale.

These combinations stole the show:

1. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017 × Dark Rich Cacao
   A masterclass in bold, layered flavours.

2. Viognier 2020 × Orange-Zest Dark Chocolate
   Surprisingly bright and aromatic — a perfect sensory balance.

3. Grenache 2023 × Citrus Chocolate
   Playful, refreshing, and unanimously loved.

4. Cahors 2019 × High-Cacao Chocolate
   Deep, velvety and perfectly aligned.

5. Jurançon Moelleux × Milk Chocolate
   Dessert heaven.

Throughout the masterclass, guests walked away with fascinating insights into both wine and chocolate.
Here are five things we learned:

1. Cacao flavour intensity varies by region:

   • Brazil tends to produce strong, robust cacao

   • Asia produces milder, softer aromatics

   • Africa offers medium-strength cacao with balanced bitterness

2. Chocolate with nuts from Bhutan is especially unique, thanks to high-altitude terroir and rare local varieties.

3. Aging wine doesn’t automatically make it “stronger.”
   Instead, tannins soften and aromas evolve — sometimes making the wine smoother, not heavier.

4. The cost of chocolate is deeply tied to how beans are mixed, processed, and sourced, especially when organic and fair-trade requirements are involved.

5. Pairing is about contrast and harmony.
   Sometimes the best match is similarity (rich with rich), and sometimes contrast (citrus with Grenache) creates magic.

The evening concluded with warm smiles, rich discussions, and a shared appreciation for the craftsmanship behind both wine and chocolate.

Guests left with a deeper understanding of pairing principles — and the joyful feeling of having tasted something truly special.

A heartfelt thank-you to Laurent from Artisan & Terroirs and Marie from Wildness Organic Chocolates for guiding us through this sensory voyage. Their expertise, passion, and generosity elevated every moment.

Another unforgettable So Chic masterclass — where taste, learning, and French flair met in perfect harmony.