The worst part of being an adult around Easter is definitely the lack of finding a hidden basket full of sugary candy with your name quite literally written all over it. However, the bummer is easily reversed by the realization that you can a) stock up on endless amounts of your favorite candies from your local convenience store, avoiding all of your most detested flavors, and b) pair wine with them — because what’s better than a boozy holiday candy pairing? We’ve garnered up a list of our childhood Easter basket favorites and paired them with their perfect bottle match. Trust us, when you’re chugging and snacking in bed with your latest Netflix binge this weekend, you’ll thank us.
Jelly Beans – Prosecco
Tart jelly beans and a sweet bottle of Prosecco are the perfect wine-and-Easter-candy pairing, mainly for the way they balance each other out on the palate. Plus, Prosecco is a totally acceptable morning drink, so partaking in this pairing before noon is totally allowed. And nothing says festive like a bottle of bubbles!
Chocolate Bunny – Madeira
While more and more wine drinkers are getting familiar with Sherry, Madeira still kind of remains under the radar. Like Sherry, Madeira’s taste profile ranges all over the spectrum, so look to a sweeter version, either Boal or Malmsey, to pair with the traditional biting off of bunny ears.
Whoppers Robin Eggs – Amontillado Sherry
Malted chocolate and nutty amontillado Sherry are a match made in heaven. Darker than finos yet lighter than olorosos, this hybrid-style Sherry is perfect with an array of milk chocolates.
Peeps – Demi-Sec Champagne
Because what’s more classy than a Champagne and Peeps pairing? The answer is nothing. Look to Demi-Sec and Doux bottles — you’ll want that bottle sweetness to stand up to those insanely sugary chicks.
Cadbury Mini Eggs – Ruby Port
Crunchy, candy coated outside and milk chocolate insides make for a heavenly pairing alongside the residual sugar in Ruby Port. Plus, this candy is one of our favorites — think M&Ms, just more festive.
Cadbury Creme Egg – Tawny Port
While Ruby Port is generally the choice for milk chocolate, the fondant center of a Cadbury Egg screams for something a little different. We love the way the nutty flavors of an aged Tawny Port mesh with the sweet, gooey filling of this Easter treat.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Egg – Brachetto d’Acqui
This little-known, sweet red from Piedmont comes in both still and sparkling form, though we tend to enjoy the slight frothiness of a frizzante bottle. Pair with a Reese’s PB Egg and you’ve got yourself a wine-and-chocolate pairing that tastes just like peanut butter and jelly!
Russell Stover Chocolate Marshmallow Eggs – Muscat de Rivesaltes
While we usually opt for red wine with milk chocolate, the creamy marshmallow filling of this particular egg demands something a bit more sweet. Look for a Muscat de Rivesaltes, the fortified Muscat- (Moscato) based wine from the south of France. These wines are generally affordable, super sweet, and mouthwateringly delicious.
