Trick or Treat-Worthy Wines

Four dry wines to pair with your sweet treats.
While sweet wines are usually paired with dessert- why not mix it up and try a dry treat pairing.

1. The 2008 Lini Labrusca Rosso, is a delicious little artisanal red sparkler. From Emilia-Romagna in Italy, this is not your mother’s Riunite- though it can be enjoyed on ice. Much like the California Chablis of the 70s, the Lambrusco has gotten a bad rap. This little diddy puts that notion to rest. Bright berries and a subtle earthiness with light tannins round out the wine, and its fizzy bubbles- the piece de resistance. The effervescence of the Lini pairs beautifully with the air-filled texture of a milk-chocolatey Whopper as well as with a simple Cacio e Pepe pasta dish. A good any-night-of-the-week libation, but definitely not your normal sparkler- this one’s got jazz hands. $16

2. A personal favorite, from the Land of Enchanment, the NV Gruet Brut, is a delicate and delicious sparkling wine. Made by French hands in New Mexico, its fizzy bubbles, crisp green apple and soft brioche notes are a perfect pairing for your kettle corn. Inexpensive but refined, this is a great wine to pull out at dinner parties- sure to impress- it also goes great with hot dogs and sushi. $13.99

3. How to properly savor those tiny corn confections? Gewurztraminer, of course. The lush citrus and delicately spiced white pepper notes combined with the fine minerality and acidity of the 2009 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer makes it the perfect pairing for your candy corn. The Gewurtz is sure to bring out the, well… sugar in the candy without being too cloying itself. Also great with a spicy fried rice. $21.99

4. Orin Swift’s 2010 The Prisoner packs a punch, a plum punch. Tough enough to meet a mouthful of peanut butter and chocolate square on, this Napa zinfandel blend sings with big and bold flavor. Licorice, plums, pepper and vanilla will Abracadabra- reach out and grab ya. A bit much without a proper pairing for this wine drinker, but great with your Reese’s or BBQ.  $37.99

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