Combining candies with wine is interesting, like when you match wine with cheese or dessert. It is all about finding the balance. The richness of chocolate can soften the tannins of wine, while fruity candy strengthens citrus notes and a bit of salt or caramel can make the taste of the wine smoother.
Such pairing must not be only for Halloween because you can enjoy it at any time of the year
How to Match Wine with Candy
One important thing when you choose wine for candies is the residual sugar. If you find the right wine for Snickers or gummy bears, you will surprise everyone at a party or make movie night much more interesting. Snickers has peanuts, caramel, nougat and chocolate, which creates a complex taste.
You need an equally complex wine to get each of those aromas. A smooth and juicy red blend works well, because the red fruits complement the Snickers and give a soft finsh.
When you eat a candy bar full of caramel and nougat, a glass of sparkling wine is an excellent choice. The light bubbles cut through the heavy candy and create a delicious mix. Caramel also matches well with dark sherry, Madeira or a rich red Malbec or Merlot.
Surprisingly, caramel and Pinot Noir is a very good pair, where two different treats bring out the best in each other.
For sour candy, you need a refreshing wine, and Sauvignon Blanc is perfect. This group includes candies like Sour Patch Kids, Warheads or sour Skittles. Sauvignon Blanc has tropical notes and citrus tastes that play with the sour and sweet layers of the candy.
Riesling also works here, due to its crisp acidity and notes of green apple, peach and lemon. The natural sweetness of the wine balances the sourness of the candy, while the bright taste keeps the combination lively.
Rosé and Champagne match with almost everything, including the caramel, biscuit and milk chocolate in Twix. The acidity of both contrasts well with that candy. For treats like marzipan, fruity Prosecco or sparkling Riesling is a solid choice.
The bubbles help to clean the palate from the too much sugar.
Bold red wines with dark chocolate can be very delicious. Hershey bars go well with Syrah or Merlot. The wine must cut through the cocoa, but also improve it with hints of black pepper and black fruits.
Little bits of chocolate are like wine, both are meant to be eaten slowly, bit by bit or sip by sip. A Kit Kat with sparkling wine is all about texture: the crisp candy beside little bubbles.
Candy corn is a classic part of Halloween. A fresh Chardonnay, a bit oaked in barrel, will complement the sweetness and will give it a whole new side. For fruity candies like Skittles, a Chardonnay without oak fully captures the delicious fruit tastes of both the candy and the wine.