How to Pair Halloween Candy With Wine

After taking the kids trick or treating, it’s time to relax and unwind… and maybe help yourself to some of your children’s goodies.

Why not, chocolate and merlot go well together. But what about the other candies people are handing out? Wine experts at Vivino are weighing in on pairing wine with Halloween candy.

“You can keep it simple with a fruity merlot and nibble through some Hershey’s Miniatures.”

You can also be more adventurous with the booty in the bottom of the bag, that is calling you all the way from your child’s room. Vivino says to pair:

Candy Corn + Moscato

Moscato and candy corn are a fantasmagorica of sweetness. Think candyland on steroids. The sugar in the candy corn amps up the fruitiness in the Moscato. Both taste better as a result. Try it: St. Supery Moscato or Castello del Poggio Moscato de Pavia

Almond Joy + Madeira

The rich, caramelized, brown sugar nuttiness of Madeira is just waiting for coconut to come into its life. Both the Almond Joy and the wine have a certain weight and gravitas and they need each other the way Humphrey Bogart needed Lauren Bacall. Try it: Blandy's 10 Malmsey 10 Year Old Madeira

Jolly Ranchers + Gewürztraminer

You need a dynamic wine with enough acid and depth to stand up to the berry Ranchers and mesh with citrus ones. Grand Cru Alsatian Gewürztraminer has strong lychee tones and low acidity, so the candy the reigns without drowning out the flavor of the wine. Try it: Maurice Schoech Alsace Grand Cru Kaefferkopf Gewürztraminer or Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewürztraminer Alsace

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups + Sherry

Reach for a bottle of Oloroso Sherry to toast the now-probably-sainted person who first married chocolate and peanut butter. Toasted nuts, caramel, raisins, and brown sugar, accented by salt, blend harmoniously with the rich flavor of a Reese’s. Try it: NV Bodegas Grant ‘La Garrocha’ Oloroso or Gonzalez-Byass Cristina Oloroso Abocado

Swedish Fish + Lambrusco

Swedish Fish holds the title for best gummy Halloween candy—yup, I said it. They’re not too sweet, bursting with flavor, and just plain fun! Lambrusco’s berry and cherry flavors mirror those of the Swedish Fish, while underlying earth and floral notes add complexity. Try it: 2015 Cleto Chiarli ‘Vecchia Modena’ Lambrusco di Sorbar

Sour Patch Kids + Riesling

If Sour Patch Kids are “first sour, then sweet,” off-dry German Riesling is just the opposite! The Riesling’s sugar hits first, countering the candy tartness, and finishes with a cleansing kick of acidity. Try it: 2015 Bex Riesling or Louis Guntrum Niersteiner Bergkirche Riesling Kabinett

Pixie Stix + Sauvignon Blanc

These fruity tubes of sugar rush-inducing powder beg to be paired with something equally peppy and fun—Sauvignon Blanc! The juicy tropical fruit and refreshing acidity match well without any sugar to get in the way. Try it:2014 Tiefenbrunner 'Turmhof' Sauvignon Blanc or Alpha Omega 1155 Sauvignon Blanc

The complete pairings list is at Vivino.