Halloween definitely isn’t just for kids, and neither is the plentiful candy that we enjoy this time of year. Whether you’re waiting for the last trick-or-treater to ring the doorbell on the 31st, or for the kids to come down from their sugar rush and head to bed, or you’re hosting a spook-tacular shindig for grownups, there are plenty of reasons to scare up a glass or two of wine to celebrate Halloween.
To avoid a confectionery clash, we’ve got some expert tips on some terrific B.C. wines and the best candy to pair them with.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery’s 2013 Ortega + Fruity or Nutty Chocolate Bars
Image courtesy Blue Grouse
This versatile white wine shows notes of bright stone fruit and lightly nutty note flavours, which go perfectly with those mini Fruit & Nut chocolate bars or even mini Oh Henry bars. Haven’t heard of this variety? Ortega is actually one of the most planted grapes on Vancouver Island. The result from Blue Grouse is a light-to-medium bodied wine with a refreshing acidity–ideal for cutting the rich sweetness of a chocolate bar made with fruit and/or nuts. (Retails around $20.00)
Summerhill Pyramid Winery’s 2014 Organic Riesling + Sour Fruit Candies
With balanced residual sugar and low alcohol (only 7.8%), you may just want to buy two… Try this Riesling alongside candies like Fuzzy Peaches, Sour Patch Keys, or Sour Cherry Blasters. It’ll send your tastebuds to a new perspective of your favourite childhood candies. This Mosel-style Riesling offers notes of green apple, white peach lemon and lime–which is why it works so well with those sweet and sour fruity candies. (Retails around $22.95)
TIME Estate Winery’s 2012 Red Meritage + Chocolates
Image courtesy TIME Estate Winery
For more serious trick or treaters (as in perhaps you’ve supplied your own treats featuring more sophisticated flavours), we’re suggesting the TIME Meritage. Pair this fruity, peppery blend with chocolates such as Cherry Blossoms – the rich black cherry notes in the wine match nicely with the gooey sweetness of this classic treat. (Retails around $29.99)
Singletree Winery’s 2013 Farmhand White + Fruit Chews
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinto Gris from Singletree’s vineyard offers aromas of crème brûlée, tropical fruits and tangerine citrus. This very dry white is perfect for a mixed pack of fruit chews, like Starburst. Our favourite pairing is with orange. (Retails around $17.40)
Haywire Winery’s 2013 The Bub + Kettle Corn
Sometimes you have to mix a little savoury into your Halloween sweet. Fill up your bowl with freshly popped Kettle Corn. The crispness of The Bub–a mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grown in the Okanagan–makes it perfect for the salty-and-sweet contrast and texture of Kettle Corn. (Retails around $29.90)
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