Read more of Cristina wine picks
Cristina Mariani-May is family proprietor and co-CEO of Banfi Vintners, America’s leading wine importer, and the award winning Castello Banfi Vineyard Estate in Montalcino, Tuscany.
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Wine Tricks and Treats
Cristina Mariani-May
co-CEO Banfi Vintners
America's Leading Wine Importer
Halloween is here already! Whether you’re dressing up or dressing down this year, ringing doorbells or answering them, leave most of the candy for the kids but make sure you have your own tricks and treats on hand.
Inevitably there will be candy around the house, be it from your own trick-or-treaters, leftovers from the unpredictable costumed traffic at the front door, or the ambitiously planned Halloween party (it falls on a Sunday this yea!) When it comes to the usual assortment of treats, savory or sweet, don’t forget the basics of wine pairing! We’ll want to have some matches that highlight contrasting flavors, others that bring two similar qualities together to intensify a flavor. Here are some fun wines to consider:
Maschio Prosecco Brut is a great all-around choice to have on hand – a delightful, crisp, gently sparkling wine, this will help refresh the palate worn on anything from Twizzlers to candy corn. Will go nicely with salted popcorn and pretzels too! You can grab a bottle for around $13.
Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Riesling has wonderful citrus and passion fruit flavors, with a touch of minerality and refreshing acidity – could be an interesting match to the rainbow flavor of Chuckles candies, or contrast to the coconut intensity of Mounds bars and Almond Joy. This elegant beauty retails for around $16.
Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay will go great with caramel flavors of butterscotch candies and toffee, such as Mary Janes, Twix, and even Butterfingers. At $18 a bottle, you can also enjoy this with savories such as grilled salmon or fried chicken for dinner.
Trivento Reserve Malbec is a great example of the juicy flavors of Argentina’s signature grape, Malbec. Its berry and jammy flavors are balanced by hints of spice that will make it click with classics like Snickers, Kit Kats, and Nestle Crunch. It’s a steal at around $11 a bottle, and will also go quite well with barbecued steak or burgers.
And if you want to send your adult trick-or-treaters home with an appropriate treat of their own, consider filling their goody bags with one or two 187ml single-serve bottles. You can find these cuties from any of the following, usually sold in 4-bottle carry packs:
Riunite Lambrusco, Bianco, Rosato, D’Oro and other flavors, for about $1.50 a bottle.
Bolla Valpolicella, Soave, Chianti, Pinot Grigio and Merlot, for about $3.50 a bottle.
Frontera Cabernet/Merlot blend, Merlot, Chardonnay and Shiraz for about $2 a bottle
Rosa Regale in the same pretty decanter bottle as the full size package for about $6 a bottle, and an outrageous match to anything made with dark chocolate!
Whichever treats you choose, have a happy and safe Halloween!
