Rosa Regale and Vosges' Exotic Truffles for Valentine's Day

Castello Banfi's Rosa Regale light, sparkling red wine ($20, 750mL) is perfect for celebrating Valentine's Day. It has a delicate bouquet of rose petals and offers sensuous flavors of fresh raspberries and strawberries. 

Rosa Regale is created in one of Italy's smallest production zones and is crafted from 100% Brachetto grapes grown exclusively at the La Rosa Vineyard in the town of Acqui Terme located in the Piedmont region of Italy. The palate is sweet and aromatic, with a well-balanced acidity and hints of wild berries in the aftertaste making it an ideal match for chocolate. 

Rosa Regale has expertly paired with Vosges' Exotic Truffles for a fabulous, limited edition gift set ($50). Included are guided tasting notes to help you unlock the stories of each truffle parfum and discover the chocolate and wine pairing experience. 

To learn more, visit RosaRegale.com.

- Kim Weling

GODIVA Truffle Flights for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just a few days away and GODIVA Truffle Flights make an exquisite and indulgent gift. The Limited Edition Valentine Truffle Flight has delicious flavor combinations with rich, velvety fillings. This assortment includes Aztec Spice, Chocolate Lava Cake, Strawberry Creme Tarte, Dark Chocolate Soufflé, Milk Chocolate Mousse and White Passion Fruit. These six truffles are placed in a tasting order to build up flavor and intensity, similar to a wine tasting flight. 

In addition to The Limited Edition Valentine Truffle Flight, there are six different Truffle Flights ($16 per 6-piece flight): Cake, Dark Decadence, Heavenly Mousse, Milk Chocolate, Nut Lovers and Ultimate Dessert. The Nut Lovers is my favorite, exploring different textures in every bite,  with almonds, pecans, walnuts and pistachios. 

If you can't decide on a Truffle Flight, you can opt for the Truffle Flight Gift Set ($96) that includes all six truffle flights. 

- Kim Weling

GODIVA Truffle Flight Collection

Milk Chocolate Lovers Truffle Flight

This fall, GODIVA Chocolatier introduced the first-ever Truffle Flights collection, including six unique flights featuring a mix of GODIVA's new and most beloved truffles. In addition to GODIVA's classic flavors, four new truffles have made their debut: Salted Caramel, Hazelnut Crunch, Salted Almond, and Aztec Spice. 

Back in September I attended an exclusive GODIVA Truffle Flight Collection tasting at Gansevoort Plaza with a tasting table made of GODIVA Truffles. GODIVA's Global Senior Chef Chocolatier David Funaro took us on a delectable, informative tasting journey through the Milk Chocolate Lovers Truffle Flight. My favorites in this tasting flight are Butterscotch Walnut and Salted Almond.

GODIVA's new collection of Truffle Flights are sold at GODIVA Boutiques nationwide, for $16.00.

The six Truffle Flight Collections include:

- Nut Lovers Truffle Flight: Salted Almond, Hazelnut Crunch, Pecan Caramel, Butterscotch Walnut, Maple Walnut, Pistachio. 

- Dark Decadence Truffle Flight: Dark Vanilla Mousse, Chocolate Souffle, 50% Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Lava Cake, 72% Extra Dark Chocolate, Aztec Spice

- Heavenly Mousse Truffle Flight: Dark Vanilla Mousse, Milk Chocolate Mousse, Strawberry Mouse, Lemon Mousse, Peach Mousse and Cafe Au Lait Mousse

- Cake Truffle Flight: Birthday Cake, Pineapple Hummingbird Cake, Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Lava Cake, Lemon Chiffon Cake

Ultimate Dessert Truffle Flight: Chocolate Eclair, Creme Brulee, Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Lava Cake, Tiramisu, Strawberry Creme Tarte

Milk Chocolate Lovers Truffle Flight: Chocolate Eclair, Milk Chocolate Mousse, Milk Chocolate, Butterscotch Walnut, Salted Almond, Hazelnut Crunch

Cake Truffle Flight

Dark Decadent Truffle Flight

Tasting table made of GODIVA Truffles

GODIVA Global Senior Chef Chocolatier David Funaro

- Kim Weling

The 15th Annual New York Chocolate Show

November 9-11th marked the 15th anniversary of The New York Chocolate Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The festivities kicked off with a press breakfast on November 9th, with a cooking demonstration by Zac Young, from Top Chef Season 1. Zac walked us through making rich, decadent Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns. Zac wanted to create something that brought out all the nuances of chocolate - salty, sweet and savory. Here are some tips on creating the sticky buns: use apple with smoked or dry cured bacon, for a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with butter and bake the bacon in the oven at 275 or 300 degrees. If you get a craving for these Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns, you can find them at David Burke Kitchen at The James Hotel in Soho.

Zac Young making Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns

During the press breakfast Paul Joachim worked on creating a cake sculpture of Lucille Ball, inspired by the I Love Lucy chocolate episode. The sculpture is cake from base to shoulders, with the head made out of chocolate. 

Marie Antoinette chocolate sculpture

Leaves and vines made out of chocolate

Sugar Plumm chocolate displays at the press breakfast

After the press breakfast, I worked around the show floor to check out over 45 national and international chocolate companies showcasing chocolate and chocolate-inspired confections, from chocolate bars and truffles to chocolate wines and delectable chocolate baked goods. Take a look at highlights from this year's show.

Tache Artisan Chocolatier

John & Kira's Chocolates

MarieBelle New York

screme Gelato Bar - amazing flavors like Figs & Tequila

Oliver Kita Chocolates - vegan, organic and fair trade chocolates, including a best-seller and my favorite: Cognac Crème Brulée

Chocolate Shop

Quady Winery favorites: Red Electra California Muscat Wine and Electra California Orange Muscat Wine

Paul Joachim working on the Lucille Ball cake sculpture and life-size sculptural piece of a NYC woman holding a champagne glass

Jean Luc Pele at work, whisking up a chocolate decadence

Valrhona Chocolate 

I love Maison Boissier's colorful ball candies housed in tins inspired by vintage powder cases

Maison Boissier

Signature truffles by 5th Avenue Chocolatiere

ChocolatRouge Wines

Salt of the Earth Bakery

Fleur de Xocoatl

Patisserie Lac

For the first time at the New York Chocolate Show attendees were able to purchase chocolate lover tote bags and bracelets. French designer Agnès de Boissieu had designed limited edition “I love Chocolate” bracelets to show the world your passion for chocolate. The pink (raspberry) and dark brown (chocolate) bracelets are made of a small silver plate with a heart shaped cutout to express “I love chocolate!” 

This year The Chocolate Show also teamed up with New York Cares to run a coat and jacket drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy, in which attendees were encouraged to donate a new or gently used warm jacket. Learn more about The Chocolate Show here.

- Kim Weling