Hello from wine country!

As Halloween approaches, the holiday spirit isn’t just for kids—adults can have a blast too! If you're planning a spooky dinner party or a fun, festive gathering with friends, why not elevate it with a creative wine and candy pairing?

While pairing fine wine with fancy meals is common, matching wines with Halloween candy offers a whimsical twist that’s sure to surprise and delight your guests.

Here’s how you can create a memorable (and delicious) Halloween party by combining sweet treats and vino.

How to Set Up the Pairing

 

1. Choose Your Candy

Halloween candy is all about nostalgia, so opt for a variety of classics like chocolate bars, sour gummies, fruit-flavored chews, and caramels. Having an assortment ensures everyone finds something they love.

2. Select the Wines
Wine and candy pairing is all about balancing sweetness and flavor intensity. Stock up on a mix of whites, reds, and sparkling wines to keep things interesting. Dessert wines like port or late harvest wines work particularly well with sweets, but don’t be afraid to experiment!

3. Presentation Matters
Set up a tasting table with each wine and its paired candy, labeling them with fun Halloween-themed signage. Consider offering small tasting portions of both the wine and candy to keep the flavors manageable.

 

Candy and Wine Pairing Ideas

Here are some ideas to inspire your Halloween wine and candy pairing party:

1. Milk Chocolate & Merlot
The smooth richness of milk chocolate pairs beautifully with a medium-bodied red like Merlot. Merlot’s subtle notes of plum and chocolate enhance the sweetness of the candy, creating a luscious harmony of flavors.

2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups & Zinfandel
Zinfandel’s jammy, berry notes are the perfect complement to the salty-sweet combo of chocolate and peanut butter. The wine’s bold flavor helps cut through the richness of the peanut butter, making it an ideal match.

3. Twizzlers & Rosé
Fruity, chewy Twizzlers pair perfectly with a crisp, slightly sweet Rosé. The red fruit flavors in both the candy and the wine work in tandem, while the wine’s acidity adds a refreshing finish.

4. Sour Patch Kids & Riesling
Sour candies like Sour Patch Kids are a fun challenge for pairing, but a slightly sweet Riesling with its vibrant acidity will balance out the candy’s sourness. The wine’s citrus and stone fruit flavors will help refresh your palate after each bite.

5. Snickers & Cabernet Sauvignon
The caramel, nuts, and nougat in a Snickers bar need a wine with structure, and a bold Cabernet Sauvignon is up to the task. The wine’s tannins and dark fruit flavors balance out the bar’s sweetness while enhancing its roasted nutty elements.

6. Candy Corn & Chardonnay
The buttery sweetness of candy corn pairs well with a creamy, oaked Chardonnay. The wine’s vanilla and caramel undertones play off the candy’s sugary richness, creating a surprisingly delightful combo.

7. M&Ms & Sparkling Wine
Whether you’re dealing with classic milk chocolate M&Ms or peanut M&Ms, sparkling wine like Prosecco or Champagne is a fantastic match. The bubbles cleanse your palate after each bite of chocolate, while the wine’s acidity and subtle sweetness make for a light, fizzy contrast.

 

Make It a Game!

To add an extra layer of fun, turn the pairing into a guessing game. Offer a blind tasting where guests try the wines and candies together, then vote on their favorite combinations. The winner could walk away with a spooky prize!

 

 

Final Wine Tasting Tips

• Start light and move to richer flavors
  Begin the evening with lighter candies and wines, such as fruity gummies with whites or Rosé, then gradually move to richer, more intense chocolates with reds.
  
  
• Offer plenty of water and snacks
  Make sure to provide water and some neutral snacks, like crackers, to cleanse the palate between tastings.
  
  
• Embrace the Halloween theme
  Decorate your party with spooky accents, themed glassware, and festive lighting to create an unforgettable Halloween atmosphere.

 

Wine and Halloween candy pairings are a fantastic way to elevate a casual gathering into a fun, interactive experience.

With a little creativity and a lot of tasty treats, you and your guests will enjoy a Halloween party that’s equal parts spooky and sophisticated.

Cheers!

- The Silver Fox

 

 

Plan Your Fall Wine Country Getaway

If you’re looking for a trip that offers both relaxation and excitement, wine country in the fall is the ultimate destination. With fewer people, less traffic, more time with winemakers, and the vibrant beauty of the harvest season, your visit will be nothing short of magical.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a casual sipper, there’s no better time to plan your escape.

Start planning your fall wine country adventure today and enjoy the perfect blend of tranquility, beauty, and celebration!

Today’s article emphasizes the benefits of visiting wine country during the fall and taps into the serene and festive atmosphere that makes it such a special time for travelers, from the best sites, smells and aromas flowing through wine country during harvest season.

 

Upcoming Events

With harvest here, we've got a fantastic line up events. So, get out and raise a glass with us in wine country!