TLTV Guide to Halloween Candy & Wine Pairing

Sometimes in this Wine Life we have to make sacrifices, and Vine Tribe the research for this latest Lotus Lesson was one of those times. While I appreciate sweets, I don’t have a big sweet tooth—I prefer to drink my dessert! ha. However, my husband pushed me to do some research in honor of the sacrifice that we as parents make to “check” our children’s Halloween stash for safety reasons (of course). For those candy-craving parents who may collect a “percentage”, a “tax” or a “finder’s fee”, here are the Wines that my girl Brittney and I found to pair accordingly.

 *Note: Candy brands listed in ALL CAPS turn out to make a Perfect Pairing.

I’m excited to announce that during this painstaking process (lol), we discovered some UNIVERSAL HALLOWEEN CANDY WINES. These wines cross over from the fruity candy to milk chocolate. Check out the pairings we discovered below:

• UNIVERSAL HALLOWEEN CANDY WINES: Brachetto d’Acqui (Dolce) /Lambrusco (Dolce) /Bugey-Cerdon- I had an inkling that these wines could cover the gamut of the candy in front of me, but I found myself tickled pink when the strawberry, cherry and raspberry flavors and aromas coupled with the sweet and frizzante in the wine not only complimented fruity candy like Skittles, but gave me peanut butter & jelly bliss with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.   

Candy Compliments: Skittles, Nerds, Jolly Ranchers, REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS, Butterfinger, Peanut M&Ms, SNICKERS, Kit Kat, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate and Starburst 

Brut Prosecco: Prosecco is a Sparkling Wine from Northern Italy that is fruit forward due to the way it’s made (known as the tank method). The acidity in this wine along with the aromas and flavors of green apple, honeydew melon and pear make the perfect pairing for Skittles (the best are yellow and green), Nerds and Trolli Creepy Crawlers

• German Riesling (Kabinett/Spatlese): The sweetness of these wines coupled with stone fruit flavors and aromas like peach and nectarine compliment fruity candy like Skittles (the best are yellow and green), Nerds, cherry jolly rancher and Starburst
• Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon: I was interested in trying Cabernet from Paso Robles, because even though these are dry Wines, I believed that the fruit forwardness coupled with the ripe condition of black and red fruits on the nose and palate would bring the right balance. The tannins in these Cabernets tend to be elegant and well-integrated complimenting both milk and dark chocolate candy. Of all the milk chocolate candy we tried, the following were the best pairings.  
  • JUSTIN: KIT KAT, Snickers
  •  Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon: – HERSHEY’S

Cheers to yet another holiday that goes well with Wine! No pressure to remember all of these pairings off your first try. Remember if you need help, this quick spell will do the trick: “Hocus Pocus I need Wine to Focus!”