The Wines That Pair Best With Your Kids’ Halloween Candy

By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

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At some point tonight, most parents, even the most loving ones, like me, will become blatant thieves, riffling through their child’s hard-earned trick or treat bag to find a late night candy snack.

We’re not animals, though. We don’t just snarf down the Hershey bars and gummy bears directly from the bag. We pour ourselves a glass of wine as well, to release the stress that comes with dealing with hundreds of sugar-infused mini-Avengers and Paw Patrol recruits.

Pairing the right wine with the right candy is a tricky matter, though. Thankfully, the folks at Vivino have done the homework and, for the fifth year, have issued their list of suggested combinations. Here are their suggestions for some of the most popular Halloween treats.

Snickers

Try a Cabernet Sauvignon with this popular fun-sized bar. The wine’s tannins and fruit will blend well with the candy’s combination of peanut, caramel and nougat, but won’t overwhelm it.

Reese’s

You might not have a bottle of Gamay around the house, but if you do, it’s a perfect pairing for the peanut butter cups. Vivino says the jammy flavors of the wine create a unique peanut butter and jelly sensation.

Kit Kat

The nuanced fruit flavors of a Pinot Noir blend nicely with the chocolate and wafers of a Kit Kat, “making it feel like a chocolate-dipped raspberry pulled straight out of the fridge,” according to the site.

M&M’s

Why not have a desert wine with this desert? A good port compliments the smooth chocolate of the candy.

Skittles

To match the fruit flavors of Skittles, try a good Sauvignon Blanc, which is a light, fruit-forward wine. Vivino suggests one from New Zealand, but we’ve found that any work well.

Starburst

Sommelier Laura Burges has long been advocating Starburst and Moscato, and many people agree with her. The sweet, fruit explosion is a perfect way to unwind as you rest your feet after walking the neighborhood (or, if you don’t have kids, pick through your own stash of undistributed candy).