It’s almost that time of year again–Valentine’s Day. A day to celebrate your sweetheart and enjoy something sweet. According to a 2009 study, more than 58 million pounds of chocolate will be sold during Valentine’s week. Ever wondered what to sip while enjoying some Valentine’s chocolate? We will suggest a few of our favorite chocolate and wine pairings for your Valentine’s weekend.

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Here are a few basic tips for pairing wine and chocolate:

• Wine should be at least as sweet as the chocolate (if not a little sweeter) and avoid dry wines
• Pair lighter chocolates with lighter wines, and heavier chocolates with bigger wines
• Pair similar flavors in the chocolate and wine, like a raspberry chocolate with a zinfindel with raspberry notes
• Taste the wine first, then taste the chocolate to allow the flavors of the wine to coat your mouth before tasting the chocolate

Milk chocolate pairs well with a variety of wines, including: pinot noir, merlot, muscat, dessert wines, riesling and sparkling wines. For a milk chocolate bar, chocolate mousse or chocolate cheesecake, try a light-bodied merlot or pinot noir. Muscats, sparkling wines and rieslings are great pairs for mild milk chocolates. Pair chocolate covered strawberries with any type of sparkling wines, especially sweet champagnes.

Are you a dark chocolate fan? Pair bittersweet or dark chocolate with full-bodied wines like cabernet or zinfindel. A tawny or ruby port also will stand up to dark chocolate.

White chocolate pairs nicely with a sherry, which will pick up the creaminess of the chocolate, or an orange Muscat, which will pick up the fruit tones. Another more contrasting pair is white chocolate and zinfindel, which is high in tannins and alcohol content but is softened by fat content of the chocolate.

Watch this video from Wine Spectator about red wine and chocolate pairings and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!