Perfect Wine and Ice Cream Pairings
Pairing wine with ice cream might sound unconventional, but when done correctly, it can be a truly indulgent experience. The key is balance – finding harmony between sweetness, texture, acidity and intensity. Here’s a guide to some perfect pairings that bring out the best in both the wine and the ice cream.
Vanilla Ice Cream & Moscato d’Asti
Classic vanilla ice cream is rich and creamy with sweet, buttery notes. A lightly sparkling Moscato d’Asti from Italy complements it beautifully. With flavours of peach, honey and orange blossom, Moscato’s gentle sweetness and low alcohol content won’t overpower the ice cream. The bubbles also help cleanse the palate between spoonfuls.
Chocolate Ice Cream & Ruby Port
Chocolate and red wine is a long-standing match, and the same applies in frozen form. For deep, dark chocolate ice cream, go for a Ruby Port. Its bold black fruit flavours, warming sweetness and slightly tannic edge mirror the richness of the chocolate. Alternatively, a fruity Zinfandel can also work well, especially with chocolate chip or chocolate fudge varieties.
Strawberry Ice Cream & Rosé Wine
A fruity, floral rosé is the perfect match for strawberry ice cream. Choose a dry to off-dry Provence rosé or a Pinot Noir rosé for freshness and red berry character. The light acidity cuts through the creaminess, while the strawberry flavours echo and enhance those in the ice cream.
Salted Caramel Ice Cream & Sherry
Salted caramel is sweet, savoury and intense, calling for a wine with equal depth. Pedro Ximénez sherry is an excellent choice – viscous, dark and raisiny with layers of toffee, fig and spice. It heightens the caramelised flavours and adds a warming richness to each bite.
Mint Choc Chip & Cabernet Sauvignon
Mint is a tricky flavour to pair with wine, but Cabernet Sauvignon handles it surprisingly well. The dark fruit and herbal notes in the wine complement the mint, while its tannins balance the creaminess. This works best with premium mint ice cream that uses real peppermint oil rather than artificial flavouring.
Coffee Ice Cream & Tawny Port
Coffee ice cream is bold and bittersweet. A 10-Year-Old Tawny Port brings notes of nuts, dried fruit and toffee, which blend beautifully with the coffee’s roasted edge. The result is a grown-up, after-dinner treat perfect for slow enjoyment.
Lemon Sorbet & Prosecco
Though not technically ice cream, lemon sorbet is a popular frozen dessert that pairs wonderfully with Prosecco. The wine’s crisp bubbles and citrusy freshness complement the tang of the sorbet, creating a refreshing and palate-cleansing finish to any meal.
Final Tips
To get the most from wine and ice cream pairings, serve the ice cream slightly softened and the wine well-chilled. Aim for matching intensity – bold with bold, delicate with delicate – and don’t shy away from experimenting. Whether it's for a dinner party or a summer afternoon treat, these pairings are sure to surprise and delight.
