The countdown is on until Halloween, and the stores are stocked with aisles of delicious, sugary candy. While the kids are out trick or treating – treat yourself to some of that extra candy and open a bottle of wine. While pairing candy and wine might not come to your mind immediately, there are a lot of delicious combos that will leave your mouth watering. Check out the seven best wine and candy pairings that will have you stealing all of the candy for yourself!
Twizzlers & Rosé
Rosé & Twizzlers are a match made in heaven. This Halloween candy and wine pairing are an obvious duo. The sweet strawberry flavor of the Twizzlers complement the fruitiness of the Rosé perfectly. Make sure to grab a Rosé that is on the sweeter side, so it matches the intensity of the flavors. If the wine is too dry, the sugary candy might make the wine taste bitter.
Wines to Try:
AIX Rosé, France
Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé, France
Sour Patch Kids & Pinot Grigio
While it may not seem obvious, Pinot Grigio is a surprisingly delicious companion to Sour Patch Kids. Pinot Grigio is very crisp with bright acidity that is perfect to balance out the tart candy. The juiciness of the wine really helps soothe your tongue from the sour exterior. The fruity aromas of the wine are a nice companion to this tart, fruity candy.
Wines to Try:
Pighin Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC, Italy
The Seeker Pinot Grigio, Italy
Starburst & Moscato
Moscato and Starbursts are a delicious combo we can’t wait to have this Halloween season. They both have flavors of sweet, tropical citrus, which enhances the flavor of each. The sweetness and effervescence of the Moscato balances out the thick texture of the candy. You won’t be disappointed!
Wines to Try:
Caposaldo Moscato IGT, Italy
Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Italy
Kit Kat & Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is considered a catch-all food pairing wine. It’s light enough to not overpower certain foods, but complex enough to hold up to richer meals. Pinot Noir often has jammy notes, which is a delicious pairing with the chocolate of the Kit Kat. In addition, the earthy notes of the wine can really bring out the chocolatey flavor. The chocolate is also a perfect combo to mellow out the tannins of the Pinot Noir.
Wines to Try:
Montes Alpha Pinot Noir, Chile
Cakebread Two Creeks Vineyards Pinot Noir, California
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar & Syrah
Syrah is the perfect wine to balance out the sweet, creamy Hershey’s milk chocolate bar. Syrah is typically characterized by notes of spice and fruit, which helps balance out the bitterness of the straight chocolate. It is important to find a wine that is rich and powerful that can hold up to the richness of the chocolate. Syrah is the perfect wine for this. Some Syrah’s even have aromas of chocolate, which couldn’t be more perfect.
Wines to Try:
Montes Alpha Syrah, Chile
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Saint-Pierre Cornas, France
Reese's & Cabernet Sauvignon
Chocolate and peanut butter are arguably one of the most delicious duos. Next time you have Reese’s peanut butter cups, try pairing it with Cabernet Sauvignon to elevate it to the next level. This dark jammy red with notes of dark fruit complements the nuttiness of the peanut butter perfectly. Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and smooth, which helps balance the thick, creamy peanut butter filling.
Wines to Try:
Norton Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina
Alta Vista Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina
M&M's and Gamay
M&M’s are a classic Halloween candy. The best wine pairing with this classic is a light, fruity, unoaked red wine. Since M&M’s have a sugary coating, it is important to avoid tannic wines. This is where Gamay comes in. Gamay is a light-bodied wine with notes of both red and black fruit. It also has one of the lowest amount of tannins for a red wine.
Wines to Try:
Château des Jacques Moulin-à-Vent “Le Moulin”, France
Louis Jadot Beaujolais, France
Whether you enjoy red, white, or rose, there is a delicious candy pairing waiting for you. Remember wine and food pairings are subjective and completely depend on your taste buds, so play around and try out different combos. There are no rules, so pair whatever you like best! Happy Halloween!
