Luxe Beat Magazine NOVEMBER 2014 | Page 60

Chocolates And Wines Make A Sweet Pair By M’Liss Hinshaw Isabella Knack explains wines and chocolates paired together FEATURE IMAGE COURTESY OF DALLMAN’S CONFECTIONS I had already spotted their bestselling chocolates, the dark chocolate salted caramels, when the woman at the counter pointed to the spiral staircase and said the seminar was about to begin. I carefully wound around curved steps and saw tables lined with wine glasses and plated chocolates. I assumed they were chocolates for the special tasting, but they looked more like art work and perfectly arranged. Muted hues, variegated colors and individually shaped made me wonder what they would taste like. Dallmann’s Confections, located in the Headquarters at Seaport Village, San Diego, is well-known for exquisite handmade chocolates and Mozartkugel. Owner, Isabella Knack, has deep roots with the chocolate business, since she was raised in her family’s pastry shop in St. Gilgen, Austria. Her grandfather, Guenther Dallmann, taught her culinary traditions, and her parents still operate the pastry shop after many years. She came to San Diego on a student exchange program 20 years ago and decided this was the place for her to start her own 60