Halloween Candy & Wine Pairings

Halloween isn’t just for kids running door-to-door with overflowing candy buckets, grown-ups deserve treats too! Instead of sneaking a mini Snickers from your child’s stash or grabbing a handful of candy corn in passing, why not make it an event? Pairing wine with Halloween candy transforms those bite-sized indulgences into something a little more magical. Imagine a silky Pinot Noir smoothing out the sweetness of milk chocolate, or a bubbly glass of Prosecco lifting the tart punch of a sour gummy worm. It’s a festive, grown-up twist on trick-or-treating that brings a little elegance, and a lot of fun, to the spooky season!

Why Candy & Wine Work Together

At first glance, candy and wine might seem like an odd couple, but the two actually play quite well together! The key is sugar and candy is packed with it, the wines that echo or balance that sweetness create harmony instead of clashing flavors. Think of it like a costume party for your taste buds: rich chocolates find their perfect partner in bold reds, while tart or fruity candies come alive when matched with crisp whites or sparkling wines. And here’s the best part, there are no rigid rules! Pairing candy and wine is about having fun, experimenting, and discovering surprising combinations that make Halloween feel even more indulgent.

Classic Pairings by Candy Type

Chocolate Favorites

When it comes to chocolate, wine can take your favorite candy bar to a whole new level!  Creamy milk chocolate becomes silky-smooth alongside a fruit-forward Pinot Noir, like our Companion Wines Lodi Pinot Noir 2020 or Twomey Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups shine with something bolder, like the jammy Companion Syrah 2019 or Saldo Zinfandel 2021, which balance salty-sweet richness with a lush, fruity kick. And for the chocolate purists, deep dark chocolate (think Milky Way Midnight or Dove) meets its match in a structured Cabernet Sauvignon, like our Companion Napa Valley Cabernet 2016 or Companion Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fruity & Chewy Candies

If fruity candies are more your style, Sauvignon Blanc and rosé step into the spotlight. Skittles practically sparkle when paired with the citrusy Echo Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023 or Twomey Sauvignon Blanc 2019. Starburst candies get even juicier with a glass of rosé—try Château d’Esclans Rosé 2021 or the sparkling Gruet Sauvage Rosé N.V. for a playful twist. And for gummy bears or worms, nothing beats a crisp Prosecco like La Marca N.V. or Jeio Valdobbiadene Brut, where bubbles meet chewy sweetness in perfect harmony!

Caramel & Nougat Treats

Caramel and nougat lovers, rejoice because your candies were practically made for wine! Snickers, with their peanut-caramel core, find balance in smooth Merlots like Emmolo 2021 or Quattro Theory 2022. Twix bars, with that signature cookie crunch, pair beautifully with a round, buttery Chardonnay such as Yellow Star or Comtesse Marion 2021. And for something truly festive, caramel apple pops sparkle with celebratory wines like Banshee Ten of Cups Brut or Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne.

Tangy & Sour Candies

Of course, Halloween wouldn’t be complete without tangy, sour candies. Sour Patch Kids light up when paired with the lightly sparkling I Vignaioli Moscato d’Asti 2021, which mirrors their sweet-and-sour personality. Nerds call for something equally colorful and effervescent, like Mathieu Gandon Rosé Nature Champagne or Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé. And for the brave souls who dare to tackle Warheads, an off-dry Champagne such as Pommery Royal Brut N.V. tempers the shock with crisp, refreshing bubbles.

Tips for Hosting a Candy & Wine Tasting

Want to turn Halloween night into something extra fun for the adults? Start by building a “candy board” in the style of a charcuterie spread. Pile it high with mini chocolate bars, gummy worms, sour candies, and caramel treats, arranging them in colorful clusters that practically beg to be paired with a glass of wine. It’s eye-catching, festive, and sets the stage for a sweet evening. When it comes to pouring, less is more. Offer small tastings of each wine so guests can try multiple combinations without feeling overwhelmed. A couple of ounces per pairing is just enough to explore the flavors while still keeping the evening light and easy!

To make things interactive, turn your tasting into a game! Try blind pairings where guests guess which wines match best with different candies, or encourage everyone to vote on their favorite combo of the night. A little friendly competition adds to the Halloween spirit and keeps the mood lively. Candy-and-wine pairings aren’t about strict rules, they’re about experimenting, laughing at the surprising matches, and discovering new favorites!

From Trick-or-Treating to Toasting!

Halloween may start with costumes, pumpkins, and a giant bowl of candy, but with the right wine, it can end in something truly unforgettable! From silky reds that elevate chocolate to sparkling wines that make sour candies fizz with fun, these pairings prove that Halloween isn’t just about trick-or-treating, it’s about treating yourself! 

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