Chocolate Pinot Noir Truffles

Last Updated on June 14, 2022 by Diane Hoffmaster

These Chocolate Pinot Noir Truffles are part of an Influencer Activation campaign on behalf of Kenwood Vineyards. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for my participation

It seems like every time I sit down to watch TV or read something online this week I am inundated with ads for Black Friday shopping.  Or, even worse in my mind...Black THURSDAY!  The retail world is taking a day that is supposed to be made for being thankful and turning it into a day to earn money off things we probably don't really need anyhow. 

I want to encourage you to slow down for just a few minutes and give thanks next week.  Be thankful for the family that drives you insane but that you love anyhow.  Be thankful for the food on your table, even if the kids complain about having to eat that weird Jello salad your aunt made. 

And be thankful for time spent with friends in the comfort of a warm home.  Because there are so many people in this world today who cannot be thankful for those things.  Because they don't have them.

By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Keilman [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Kenwood Vineyards Holiday Service Project

Hunger and homelessness are a real problem in society today.  While many Americans are pushing and shoving their way to the front of store lines for the hottest new toy, many others are standing in line at the food pantry hoping for enough food to feed their family. 

There ARE ways that we can help fight hunger in our society.  A few weeks ago I told you about my children and I's Thanksgiving service project and today I want to share with you Kenwood Vineyards' #ShareYourTable charitable campaign.

This Thanksgiving holiday, Kenwood Vineyards is looking to do its part to end hunger by matching donations to the WhyHunger charity. What is WhyHunger?  WhyHunger is a recognized leader in the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment. 

I am always cautious about doing my research before donating to a charity.  However, rest assured that for the fourth consecutive year WhyHunger received the highest rating of four stars for excellence in fiscal management, accountability, and transparency from America’s leading independent charity evaluator, Charity Navigator.  

I had the pleasure of tasting several varieties of Kenwood Vineyard wine over the last two weeks.  Sipping a lovely Pinot Noir with some chocolate truffles and enjoying a lightly sweet Sauvignon Blanc with a delicious cranberry and blue cheese spread. 

A glass of wine, a few light snacks, a cozy fire, and my family make for a wonderfully relaxing evening.  I know the chaos of Christmas shopping will hit soon but I'm going to sit back for just a few more days and be thankful for the blessings I have been given in life.

Kenwood Vineyards Wine

Kenwood Vineyards sources grapes from dozens of Sonoma County vineyards- many farmed sustainably using natural soil amendments and pest controls whenever possible rather than chemicals. 

Each lot from each vineyard is kept separate throughout the wine-making process, which allows the winemaker to create wines that showcase each batch's classic character, subtle complexity, and superb balance.  These wines were deliciously paired with our light snacks.

If you would like to try your hand at making these truffles, you will definitely not be sorry!  These are actually Pinot Noir Chocolate Truffles...meaning there is actually red wine IN the truffle mixture.  Just cream, chocolate, and fine red wine make for a deliciously decadent treat to set out on your dessert table this holiday season!

Pinot Noir Truffles

Pinot Noir Dark Chocolate Truffles blend Pinot Noir red wine with a creamy ganache of rich, dark chocolate. After rolling the homemade truffles, toss them lightly in cocoa powder and refrigerate until you are ready to serve them. 

Yield: 15

Pinot Noir Truffles

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Pinot Noir Dark Chocolate Truffles blend Pinot Noir red wine with a creamy ganache of rich, dark chocolate.

Prep Time 12 hours

Total Time 12 hours

Ingredients

• 6 ounces heavy cream
• 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoon Kenwood Vineyard Pinot Noir
• ¼ cup cocoa powder for rolling

Instructions

1. Heat water in a double boiler over medium heat
2. Into the top of the double boiler add the cream and the chocolate chips
3. Stir and heat until melted and smooth
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly
5. Add wine and stir until combined
6. Chill overnight
7. Using a melon baller or teaspoon, make small 1 ½ inch balls of chocolate and roll in powdered cocoa. Set on a cookie sheet and chill again until right before you serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

15

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 168Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 17mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information not always accurate

Diane Hoffmaster

Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy.  She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire  but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time.  You can learn more about her HERE.