I Want Candy. Easter Candy (with Wine) That Is.
Lent is the one time of year where I make a reasonable attempt to be a good Catholic (just what my grandma wants to hear, I’m sure). As a result, for the past 10 or so years, I usually make what is a significant sacrifice for me—I give up chocolate. Beside the requisite overall grouchiness, what does this mean for me? Well, it amounts to a great longing for all the beautiful Easter candy that comes out in those 6 weeks prior to Easter Sunday. You know…the Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, Cadbury Mini Eggs, and pretty much anything in pastel packaging. My theory is that seasonal candy has to be fresher than regular candy because they have to package it right around that specific holiday, logical don’t you think?Questionable traditions and new favorite.
Well this year, through a turn of events that included a very sick three year old son of mine, I gave up my giving up of chocolate, too much stress, I needed that Almond Roca my grandma brought to the hospital. As a result my dream of Easter candy prior to Easter could finally be realized! It got me thinking, what would be better than Easter candy than Easter candy with wine? Our Facebook fans may recall a post a while back asking for your favorite candy and wine pairings—we took that list, combined with some of my personal favorites and holiday standbys, and put together a tasting panel to test the best Easter candy and Vintage Wine Estates wine pairings. Here are the top picks:
We took thorough notes during this very important research
Almond Joy: Worked with just about everything…perhaps because the coconut, almond and milk chocolate each work individually well with different wines, but if we had to choose, our favorite pairing for Almond Joy was the Windsor Vineyards 2001 North Coast Brut, Platinum Series. The toasty flavors of the Brut work beautifully with coconut.
Spring Lindt Lindor Truffles (Spring edition, Milk Chocolate with White Chocolate filling): Let me just start with the fact that alone, these truffles are A-mazing, but with wine—watch out! Particularly with the Windsor Vineyards 2007 Alexander Valley Carignane, Private Reserve. Quite frankly, if it hadn’t been for the sugar shock and the need to see our families (oh, and the danger of moving up a pants size or three), we might still be in a room drinking Carignane and eating Lindt truffles.Candy Corn (pastel colored, of course): Delicious with the Windsor Vineyards 2008 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Sonoma County, Private Reserve. The oaky/buttery characteristics of the Chardonnay married perfectly with the sweet creaminess of the candy corn-it had a caramel apple effect that was delicious.
An afternoon of candy and wine? Tough Job.
Cadbury Crème Egg: I don’t believe our group is alone in finding these “eggs” a bit on the creepy side, however, paired with the Girard 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel, yum. The spicy Zinfandel offsets the crème of the egg for a smooth and delightful experience on the palate.
Peeps: Because what would Easter be without Peeps? Not that I know anyone who actually likes Peeps but they’re a tradition right? So if you find yourself looking at a box of rapidly hardening Peeps, grab a bottle of Windsor Vineyards 2008 Unoaked California Chardonnay. The crisp characteristics of the wine offset the sugar in the Peeps and bring out a pleasant lemon flavor.One of my favorite Easter Candy--great with Sexy Wine Bomb
Other favorites included Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs with Sexy Wine Bomb 2007 Blends Have More Fun California Red Blend, Dove Dark Chocolate Eggs with the Windsor Vineyards Brut or 2007 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, Private Reserve and Cadbury Mini Eggs with Windsor Vineyard’s 2007 North Coast Petite Sirah.
Are you inspired? If you make any further Easter candy/wine pairing discoveries let us know on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/windsorvineyards, because I can still enjoy the candy after Easter Sunday…and by then it will be on sale! Cheers.Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
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This is for my peep and wine-obsessed friends. It's important to get the wine pairings right when it comes to tiny little marshmallow chicks! Hysterical!
