We love Halloween here at the vineyard…the decorations, the costumes, the trick-or-treaters. We know, however, just how overwhelming all that leftover candy can be. Which is why we’ve put together a guide for pairing our wines with some of our favorite Halloween candies. Who says kids get to have all the fun!?
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – Merlot Reserve
Who doesn’t love a Reese’s peanut butter cup? It’s the most popular Halloween candy in the US and with good reason. They’re delicious on their own but even better when paired with our Merlot Reserve! It’s a complex wine with a decent body, medium-high tannins, and medium-high acidity. The creaminess offered by the peanut butter & milk chocolate balances out those elements while the subtle hints of mocha on the finish of the wine complement the sweetness of the chocolate and serve to round out the experience.
Kit Kats – Amarone
Chocolate and a cookie in one! Pair with our Amarone – fruity and off-dry with low acidity and lower tannins. This is a wine that serves to elevate rather than overpower the delicate flavors of this crispy wafer candy.
Snickers – Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve
Snickers have a lot going for them with the chocolate exterior, smooth caramel, & crunchy peanuts. We needed a wine with energy to match. Enter our Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve: silky smooth tannins, not too much acidity, and fruity tasting notes balanced out by toasted oak & roasted coffee. A perfect pairing for sweet chocolate & peanut butter.
Candy Corn – Moscato
You either love it or you hate it, candy corn is perhaps the most divisive of all Halloween candies. For those candy corn lovers, pair with our Moscato – a delicate white with mild acidity and a nice honey like sweetness to match the honey flavor of the candy. Even if you’re anti candy corn, give this pairing a go – it might even change your mind!
Skittles – Elderberry
We went a little rogue with this one. Pair Skittles with Elderberry – a semi-sweet wine with subtle earthiness that balances out the candy’s sweet & fruity-ness.
M&Ms – Lambrusco
Another Halloween favorite! Sweet milk chocolate with a candy shell, M&Ms need a light and approachable wine. Pair with our Lambrusco – a fruity and light bodied red with little to no tannins that would serve to compete with the candy’s sweetness. Simple and delicious!
Sour Patch Kids – Riesling
We’re ending our guide with Sour Patch Kids! Pair with our Riesling – an off-dry white with medium acidity and notes of honey and zesty lemon that mimic the candy’s sweet & sour combination without being overwhelmingly sweet.
