Unless we all collectively decide to dress up as Ghostbusters for Halloween, it’s safe to say, we’ll be adapting our favorite Halloween traditions for the health and safety of our community. Parents are planning safe celebrations for their kids, friend groups are coordinating their Zoom-friendly costumes and others will be… well, on their couch drinking wine and eating copious amounts of Halloween candy.
Gina Scott, Wine Director at Juliet Italian Kitchen, is helping us adapt to a socially-distant Halloween with four candy and wine pairings that will class up your sugar-rush and make for a fun tasting event whether you’re safe in your bubble or connected with friends across the country.
Almond Joy and Sparkling Wine
Fruit notes like pear and apple pair well with the rich and creamy coconut. A fruit-forward prosecco or sparkling wine will complement the sugars and enhance both the wine and the candy.
- Recommended bottle: Contratto Brut (Italy)
Candy Corn and Chardonnay
Bright, more acidic Chardonnays cut through the heavy sugars of the candy.
- Recommended bottle: Diatom Bar-M (California)
Twix and Pinot Noir
Lighter fruits such as red cherries and raspberries along with the earthiness found in Pinot Noir work beautifully with the chocolate and wafers.
- Recommended bottle: Flaneur Pinot Noir (Oregon)
Snickers and Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignons with flavors like blackberries and plums can contrast the saltiness of the peanuts and compliment the chocolate.
- Recommended bottle: Substance Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington)
Check out more candy & wine pairings here!
Juliet Italian Kitchen is located in the heart of Austin’s beloved Zilker Park neighborhood,. Juliet strives to be that destination for anyone seeking a relaxed Italian spot for a date night, business lunch or casual weekend brunch.
Juliet’s menu features classic Italian-American dishes like pizzas, chicken piccata and veal parmigiana, along with housemade pastas including lasagna, spaghetti bolognese and spicy rigatoni alla vodka—hearty dishes perfect for the cool weather in Austin right now.
Juliet is known for having one of Austin’s best outdoor patios as well as a spacious and welcoming interior space. On Wednesdays, their in-house DJ spins vinyl from 7 – 9 p.m.
In addition to dine in, Juliet also offers online ordering and delivery.
This weekend they will have two special cocktails for Halloween:
Zesty Zombie: aged rum, mezcal, tepache, spices, citrus
Oh Happy Dagger: gin, mandarine liqueur, campari, sparkling rose, black sugar rim
Juliet Italian Kitchen will open its second location at The Arboretum in early 2021. The second location will feature all the fan-favorites from its Barton Springs location—an expansive patio, 12-layer lasagna, fun cocktails—in an atmosphere all its own.
To learn more, visit their website for more details.
