Halloween is coming up and what better way to celebrate social distancing style than by trying out some wine pairings with your favorite Halloween candies?
- Reese’s and Chardonnay
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Try straying from the traditional route of red wine and chocolate (there’s plenty of that later on, I promise) by pairing your Reese’s with an oaky, buttery Chardonnay. I recommend Bread & Butter’s Chardonnay. The complexities of the wine will hold up nicely to the decadent peanut butter chocolate candy. Bonus points if your Reese’s are pumpkin-shaped!
- Candy Corn and Pinot Grigio
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Ah, the ever-controversial Halloween candy corn… love it or hate it, you’re sure to be seeing it this time of year. Fans of this spooky season staple should try pairing it with a crispy, acidic wine like Pinot Grigio. I recommend KRIS Pinot Grigio, a personal favorite of mine.
- Skittles and Rosé
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Now something for those who prefer fruit-flavored candy. Skittles are fruity and sweet, so try matching the flavor profile with a Rosé. Rosés can be dry or sweet, and either option is great here. I personally prefer the contrast of a drier Rosé like this one by Kim Crawford. For something sweeter, try Oliver’s Sweet Rosé.
- Snickers and Cabernet Sauvignon
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See, I told you there’d be red wine and chocolate! Snickers have quite a bit going on with their combination of peanut, caramel and nougat, so they need a favorable wine that will hold its own, enter a good full-bodied cab like this one by 19 Crimes. It’s rich and smooth with a long finish, making for the perfect complement to a Snickers, or just about any kind of chocolate!
- Kit Kats and Pinot Noir
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Over and over again in my research, I found claims that pairing a Kit Kat and a Pinot Noir recreated the taste of a chocolate dipped raspberry. I found this to be oddly specific but after trying it out myself I can confirm, it’s true! You absolutely should try this combo. Josh Cellar’s always has great wines and their Pinot Noir is no exception, I highly recommend!
- Sour Patch Kids and Sauvignon Blanc
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A sour candy like this needs a wine that offers a zesty punch, and with their acidic lemon-lime and grapefruit aromas, a Sauvignon Blanc is just that. Some of the best, most crisp Sauv’s come from New Zealand, so try Matua’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Fun fact – Matua actually produced New Zeland’s first Sauvignon Blanc back in 1974.