A Thanksgiving Tandem: Lindt USA Excellence Pineapple &amp; J.Lohnr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay

Lindt USA, Stratham, N.H.

Lindt EXCELLENCE Pineapple

Lindt EXCELLENCE Pineapple
Lindt USA, Stratham, N.H.
(603) 778-8100

Premium chocolatier Lindt USA has launched EXCELLENCE Pineapple, the newest addition to its line of dark chocolate bars.

It features a blend of silky dark chocolate (47 percent minimum) combined with naturally sweet pineapple and caramelized hazelnut pieces. To further add a festive note to the holidays for this newest arrival, Lindt USA has once again partnered with J. Lohr winemakers.

As a result, EXCELLENCE Pineapple is the first bar exclusively created by the Lindt Master Chocolatiers to complement Chardonnay, and when paired together, the flavors harmonize, intensifying the overall taste experience. Both collaborated over the course of a year to create EXCELLENCE Pineapple, a new recipe exclusively developed to pair perfectly with J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay. The experts tested several taste profiles and fruit inclusions throughout the innovation process to determine the most complementary flavors, creating an elevated sensory experience.

Bright aromas of ripe pear, pineapple and toasted hazelnut from barrel fermentation in this rich, well-balanced Chardonnay provide a delightful finish of caramel and cream when combined with the EXCELLENCE Pineapple bar.

"Most consumers believe dark chocolate should be paired with a full-bodied red wine," says Lindt Master Chocolatier Ann Czaja. "It's evident that EXCELLENCE Pineapple and J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay have incredible synergy. The fruit, cream and oak notes of the wine harmonize beautifully with the sweet pineapple and toasted hazelnut crunch in the chocolate. It's pure perfection."

J. Lohr President/COO and Director of Winemaking Jeff Meier points out that "With 40 years in the winemaking industry, J. Lohr shares the same passion and appreciation for the craft of winemaking as Lindt does for chocolate. We're thrilled to continue to partner with Lindt EXCELLENCE to provide consumers with extraordinary sensory experiences through innovative chocolate and wine pairings."

Lindt and fine wine partner J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines have developed pairings over the past two years and are sharing recommendations for entertaining experiences, perfect for the upcoming holiday season. To learn more about Lindt and the EXCELLENCE collection, visit www.Lindt.com.

Ingredients: Sugar, chocolate, pineapple pieces (pineapple, apple, dextrose, sodium alginate, natural flavor, dicalcium phosphate, citric acid, color added), caramelized hazelnuts (sugar, hazelnuts, butter, caramel color), cocoa butter, milk fat, soya lecithin (emulsifier), natural and artificial flavors.

S.R.P.: (3.5-oz bar) $3

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With more than 30 years experience in B-to-B reporting, writing and editing — the bulk of which was dedicated to covering the bakery, confectionery and snack industries — Pacyniak has chronicled changes within the food industry since the early 1980s. A Boston University journalism degree graduate, he worked for a variety of publications before joining BNP Media in 1994 as editor of Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery magazine. In 2001, he took over as editor-in-chief of Candy Industry until 2018.