Halloween & Wine
by Chris Link · Updated June 2026
Every Halloween, once the kids are finally in bed and the porch light is off, Holly and I do the same thing: raid the leftover candy bowl and open a bottle of wine. It started as an accident and turned into one of our favorite low-key traditions of the year.
I always go straight for the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Holly’s move is the Cookies and Cream Hershey bar. We’ve tried a lot of different wines with both over the years — some that worked beautifully and some that were genuinely terrible — and this article is the result of all that very serious research.
If you’re looking for what wine to bring to a Halloween party, what to sip while handing out candy, or what to open once the kids are asleep, this is the guide for you.
The best wines for Halloween are Zinfandel, Malbec, Tawny Port, off-dry Riesling, Moscato, and Prosecco. The right pick depends on what candy you’re eating — chocolate and peanut butter want a jammy red or a Port, fruity candy wants something sweet and white, and if you’re not pairing with candy at all, a spooky-label red in the $12–$18 range is the easy party move.
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Our Tradition
Wine and Leftover Candy: How This Started
The first time we did this intentionally, we had a ridiculous amount of leftover candy — we always overbuy — and I grabbed a bottle of Malbec from Argentina that we had sitting on the counter. I poured two glasses, Holly grabbed a Cookies and Cream Hershey bar, and I went for the Reese’s.
The Malbec with the Reese’s was genuinely one of those accidental pairing moments. The rich dark fruit and slight chocolatey note in the wine mirrored the chocolate in the Reese’s, while the wine’s acidity cut through the sweetness just enough to keep it from feeling cloying. Holly’s Cookies and Cream bar was good with the Malbec too, but we later discovered she prefers something a little lighter and creamier with it — more on that below.
The key thing I’ve learned from doing this every year is that the pairing rule for candy is the same as any other food pairing: the wine needs to be at least as sweet as what you’re eating, or it will taste bitter and flat. A very dry red next to sweet Halloween candy is a rough combination. You need fruit, sweetness, or enough body to hold its own.
Candy Pairings
The Best Wine With Halloween Candy
Here’s a rundown of the most common Halloween candies and what actually works with each one, based on what we’ve tried and what makes sense from a pairing standpoint.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
My personal favorite and the pairing I’ve spent the most time on. The combination of salty peanut butter and milk chocolate needs a wine with dark fruit and enough body to match the richness.
Best wines: Malbec (Argentina), Zinfandel (California), Australian Shiraz
Cookies & Cream Hershey Bar
Holly’s pick every year. The creamy white chocolate and cookie crunch is lighter and milkier than a dark chocolate bar, so it pairs better with wines that have a softer, creamier character.
Best wines: Pinot Noir (lighter style), Brachetto d’Acqui, Prosecco
Snickers
Chocolate, peanuts, caramel, and nougat all in one bar. The caramel and nuttiness push this toward fortified wine territory — something with a little oxidative, nutty character works beautifully.
Best wines: Tawny Port, Malmsey Madeira
M&M’s
Light, milky chocolate that melts fast. You don’t need a big wine here — something medium-bodied with a little fruit sweetness is the right call. Overpowering it with a heavy red just buries the candy.
Best wines: Zinfandel, lighter Pinot Noir, Lambrusco
Skittles & Starburst
Bright, fruity, and very sweet. A dry red wine next to Skittles tastes like you’re chewing on a wine barrel. You need something sweet and fruity to match the sugar level.
Best wines: Moscato d’Asti, off-dry Riesling, Prosecco
Candy Corn
Sweet, buttery, and waxy in a weirdly satisfying way. The buttery quality actually makes this a natural pairing for an oaked Chardonnay — same reason oaked Chardonnay works with buttered popcorn.
Best wines: Oaked Chardonnay, Moscato, off-dry Riesling
Sour Patch Kids
The trickiest candy to pair because the tartness makes most wines taste flat by comparison. You need a wine with serious acidity and a touch of sweetness to keep up with it.
Best wines: German Riesling Kabinett, Prosecco
Kit Kat
The wafer and milk chocolate combo is lighter than a pure chocolate bar. It doesn’t need a heavy wine — a medium-bodied red with some red fruit works well, and so does a sparkling option.
Best wines: Pinot Noir, Lambrusco, Prosecco
Pairing Chart
Halloween Candy & Wine Pairing Chart
Use this as a quick reference when you’re staring at the candy bowl trying to decide what to open.
| Candy | Best Wine | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups | Malbec, Zinfandel, Australian Shiraz | Dark fruit and body match the rich chocolate and salty peanut butter. |
| Cookies & Cream Hershey Bar | Pinot Noir, Brachetto d’Acqui, Prosecco | Lighter, creamier chocolate needs a softer wine that won’t overwhelm it. |
| Snickers | Tawny Port, Malmsey Madeira | The caramel and peanut notes match the nutty, oxidative character of Port and Madeira. |
| M&M’s | Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Lambrusco | Milky chocolate is light enough for medium-bodied wines with red fruit. |
| Skittles & Starburst | Moscato d’Asti, off-dry Riesling, Prosecco | Fruity candy needs sweetness in the wine or the wine tastes harsh. |
| Candy Corn | Oaked Chardonnay, Moscato | The buttery sweetness mirrors oaked Chardonnay’s butter and vanilla notes. |
| Sour Patch Kids | German Riesling Kabinett, Prosecco | High acidity and a touch of sweetness keeps up with the tartness. |
| Kit Kat | Pinot Noir, Lambrusco, Prosecco | Light wafer and milk chocolate don’t need a heavy wine — medium fruit works well. |
| Twix | Tawny Port, Zinfandel | Caramel and shortbread need something with body and a little sweetness. |
| Milky Way | Malbec, Ruby Port | Caramel nougat and chocolate want a fruity, slightly sweet red. |
With candy and wine, the wine always needs to be at least as sweet as the candy — or it will taste bitter, flat, and unpleasant. This is why a big dry Cabernet Sauvignon with a Reese’s is a rough experience. The sweetness of the candy makes the wine taste harsh. Choose wines with some fruit-forward sweetness, body, or a touch of residual sugar and you’ll be in good shape.
Halloween Party
Best Wines to Bring to a Halloween Party
If you’re not pairing with specific candy and just want something fun to bring to a Halloween party or pour for a crowd, these are the wines I’d reach for. The goal here is approachable, crowd-pleasing, and ideally with a label that fits the occasion.
- ▸19 Crimes (any red) — The label literally features convicts and tells their story when you scan it with your phone. It’s a crowd-pleaser red blend that’s easy to drink and always gets people talking. Perfect for a Halloween party where you want something thematic without spending a lot.
- ▸Apothic Red — A smooth, slightly sweet California red blend that almost everyone enjoys. It has a dark, dramatic label that fits the Halloween vibe and at around $10–$12 it’s a great party bottle.
- ▸Malbec from Argentina ($12–$18) — Our go-to for Halloween night itself. Something like Clos de los Siete or Achaval Ferrer is excellent and won’t break the bank. Dark fruit, a little chocolate, smooth enough to drink on its own or with candy.
- ▸Prosecco — If you want something lighter and more festive, a bottle of Prosecco is always a good call at a party. It’s versatile, affordable, and works with anything from fruity candy to cheese and charcuterie if someone sets out a snack board.
- ▸Tawny Port (small bottle) — If you want to bring something a little different that pairs well with every chocolate candy in the bowl, a small bottle of Tawny Port is a genuinely fun choice. Taylor Fladgate 10-Year is widely available and around $20.
Handing Out Candy
What to Drink While Handing Out Candy
If you’re the one stationed at the door all evening, you want something easy and low-maintenance — nothing that requires a lot of attention or a specific food pairing. These are the wines that work well for a long, casual Halloween evening.
- ▸An approachable red blend — Something like Apothic Red, The Prisoner, or a California Zinfandel. Smooth, slightly sweet, easy to sip on its own without food. These are the kind of wines that just work as an evening sipper.
- ▸Pinot Noir — If you prefer something a little lighter, a Pinot Noir from Oregon or California is an easy drink that pairs well with the occasional piece of candy you sneak from the bowl.
- ▸Rosé or Prosecco — If it’s still warm where you are in late October, a dry rosé or a glass of Prosecco is a perfectly good choice. Refreshing, light, and festive without feeling too serious.
What to Avoid
Wines I’d Skip on Halloween
These aren’t bad wines — they’re just the wrong context for Halloween candy and a casual evening.
- ✕Big dry Cabernet Sauvignon — The tannins fight the sweetness of almost every candy. The wine ends up tasting harsh and bitter, and the candy makes the wine taste even drier than it is. I’ve made this mistake and it’s not fun.
- ✕Heavily oaked or tannic reds — Same issue as Cab. Young Bordeaux, Barolo, Nebbiolo — these are wines that need food with weight and savory richness, not sugar. Save them for a dinner pairing.
- ✕Bone-dry whites with fruity candy — A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chablis next to Skittles or Starburst is a rough combination. The candy makes the wine taste thin and sour.
- ✕Expensive bottles — Halloween is a fun, casual night. Don’t open something special — you’re going to be eating mini candy bars out of a plastic pumpkin. Save the good stuff for a dinner where you can actually appreciate it.
Our Favorite Pairings
What We Actually Open on Halloween Night
More Sweet & Dessert Wine Pairings
FAQs
Halloween Wine Questions
What is the best wine to pair with Halloween candy?
It depends on the candy, but the safest all-around picks are Malbec or Zinfandel for chocolate candy, Tawny Port for caramel and nut-based candy like Snickers and Twix, and off-dry Riesling or Moscato for fruity candy like Skittles. The key rule is that the wine needs to be at least as sweet as the candy or it will taste harsh.
What wine goes with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups?
Argentine Malbec is the best pairing for Reese’s. The dark fruit and subtle chocolate notes in the wine complement the milk chocolate, and the wine’s body stands up to the richness of the peanut butter. Zinfandel and Australian Shiraz also work well. Avoid very dry tannic reds — they clash with the sweetness.
What wine goes with Snickers?
Tawny Port is the best wine with Snickers. The caramel, peanut, and nougat flavors in a Snickers match the nutty, dried-fruit character of a Tawny Port beautifully. It’s one of the better candy-and-wine combinations you can try.
What is a good Halloween party wine?
For a Halloween party, go with something crowd-pleasing and affordable. Apothic Red, 19 Crimes, or a smooth Argentine Malbec around $12–$15 are all great options. They’re easy to drink, work with most chocolate candy, and won’t stress you out if people aren’t paying close attention to what’s in their glass.
Can you drink red wine with candy?
Yes, but choose carefully. The best reds for candy are fruit-forward and not too tannic — Malbec, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Lambrusco all work well with chocolate-based candy. Avoid heavy tannic reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, which tend to taste bitter and harsh next to sweet candy.
Final Takeaway
Halloween Wine Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
The most important thing is the sweetness rule: pick a wine that’s at least as sweet as the candy you’re eating, or the wine will taste flat and bitter. Beyond that, match the weight — light candy like Kit Kats and M&M’s work with lighter wines, and rich candy like Snickers and Reese’s wants something with more body.
Our personal move every Halloween is an Argentine Malbec for the chocolate-heavy candy and a bottle of Prosecco for Holly’s Cookies and Cream bars. Between the two, we have most of the candy bowl covered. Whatever you open, the point is to enjoy the night — the kids are in bed, the candy bowl is fair game, and you’ve earned a good glass of wine.
Written by Chris Link
Chris is an everyday wine drinker focused on practical pairings that work with real food, real budgets, and real life — including Halloween night once the kids are finally in bed. Vino Critic is written from actual experience, with the goal of making wine approachable for people just starting their wine journey.
