It’s the ultimate guilty pleasure few adults admit. Does any child notice fewer treats? No one counts candy dish leftovers at the end of a busy Halloween night, right?

At porch lights out, after manning a neighborhood trick-or-treat, there deserves a self-treat for the host. For those unfamiliar with this parental right-of-passage, pull up and chair, and a glass, as we school you in the fine art of wine and candy pairing (un-parents 21 and over are also welcome.)

Chocolate Candy

Rich varieties, and those with filled centers, need dark red, mellow wines. Reese’s Cups’ nutty smoothness bonds with Cabernet Sauvignon’s fruit and cocoa undertones. Try milk chocolate bars with the medium-bodied offerings of a Merlot. Wafer-filled Kit Kats tie nicely with the lighter Pinot Noir. Carmel treats such as Milkyway, Snickers, or Caramellos complement dessert wines such as ports.

Sweet Gummies, Hard Candies, and Sugar Coats

Classic Candy Corn or Skittles are good company for a dry Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Starbursts or Jolly Ranchers are fun pairings with fizzy Moscato d’Asti and sparkling Prosecco. And for those who still adventure for the painful pleasure of Sour Patch Kids, drown the after-bite with an off-dry Riesling to rebalance your pallet.

Many thanks to brightcellars.com suggestions that appear in our article. Endless, tasteful combinations from other top sommeliers are also available. 

Certain individuals should use caution when combining wine with candy due to its unsually high sugar content.

photo credit: unsplash Mathilde Langevin, Mel Poole

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