If you thought the candy you swiped from your kids’ Halloween haul couldn’t get any better, wait until you try it with wine. Sure, your favorite mini treats are great on their own, but wine and candy both enhance the flavor of the other, especially if you know which ones to sip while you snack.
That can be the tricky part, but sommelier Jaffer Kovic, owner of Dilworth Tasting Room in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Paige Comrie, a certified wine professional and founder of Wine with Paige are here to help with a handy guide. These are the best wines to drink with your Halloween candy, according to these experts.
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- Twix – The classic chocolate-covered caramel cookie combo is both crunchy and sweet, and Kovic says you need a wine with a “bold flavor that will match the Twix without being overpowered,” like Dow’s Ruby Port. Comrie agrees with a port, suggesting Kopke’s Tawny port.
- Reese’s – Enjoy the ultimate candy in the Halloween bowl with a Pedro Ximenez Sherry from Spain, which Kovic calls “Reese’s in a glass.”
- Snickers – To match the peanuts and nougat, the nutty and caramel flavors of a Madeira (bual) are perfect, according to Kovic. Comrie also recommends a sherry, like oloroso, or zinfandel “for a nutty, spiced complement.”
- KitKat – The wine experts suggest going easy on your wine because of the lightness of the candy. They recommend a red moscato or a pinot noir, which Comrie says is “playful and light enough not to overpower the wafers.”
- Sour Patch Kids – What goes with the tangy, fruity candy? An “off-dry riesling from Germany” is the best pairing, Kovic says.
- Candy corn – This one is divisive, but it is a Halloween staple. For fans of candy corn, Kovic suggests Jordan chardonnay from Sonoma, California.
- Hershey’s Kisses – A ruby port is the best wine for milk chocolate Kisses and if you’re going for dark chocolate Kisses, the wine pros recommend pairing them with a red zinfandel.
- Starburst – This old school fruity, chewy candy goes well with champagne or sparkling wine.
- Twizzlers – For a classic red Twizzler, Kovic advises, “Off-dry Provence rosé is best.”
- Nerds Gummy Clusters – They’re an “insanely complex candy,” between the texture and flavor, so Kovic recommends an off-dry or slightly sweet riesling to complement it all.
Source: Scary Mommy
