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    Halloween Candy Wine Pairings

    The perfect wine pairings for Halloween candy: Who says treats can't be classy? Make that Snickers sing

    Marene Gustin
    Marene Gustin
    Oct 26, 2014 | 6:02 am

    Planning a little boo bash this week? A soiree with spooky spirits, or maybe you’ll just sit home alone, in the dark, watch a horror movie marathon and eat a whole bag of Halloween candy all by yourself? Don’t worry, no one is judging.

    But whatever you’re planning, you’ll want some non-Ouija board spirits to go with your fun. So what wines and beers pair well with Halloween treats?

    Sure, there’re always Bloody Marys, that Vampire Wine or Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s Santo with the cool Day of the Dead skull (by local artist Carlos Hernandez) on the label. And while these make nice party decorations, do they really pair well with candy, pop cornballs and pumpkin treats?

    The Carrie wine can be lovingly sweet and beautiful, but if done in a different style it can have an acidity that will rip your face off.

    I was recently introduced to Ferrari, not the car but a fabulous family of sparkling Italian wines. The award-winning 2007 Ferrari Perlé in particular is a wonderful, light and fruity bubbly that pairs well with green apples. So I’m thinking if you’re apple bobbing with Granny Smiths or eating green candied apples, this is a good choice.

    But after that I was at a loss, so I turned to some experts.

    Chef Paul Lewis of the new Paul’s Kitchen says he enjoys Italian orange wines, also known as macerated wines, with his candy treats this time of year. Orange wines are actually whites that are made like red wines with prolonged exposure to the grape skins and seeds. Sounds like it might make a good pairing for Halloween.

    Phyllis Mandola, wife of Tony Mandola, recommends Big Guy Bordeaux Blend, or Byron Pinot Noir, to enjoy with your favorite Halloween treats.

    And some experts were a little more specific. The new wine director at Nara Sushi and Korean Kitchen, Aimee Guillermety, has clearly given some thought to this. She recommends an ice wine with your candy corn. Ice wines are dessert wines made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine.

    “They both have that same level of honey sweetness,” she says. “So they really work well together.”

    And the wine folks over at the Max’s Wine Dive and The Tasting Room chains have given this a lot of thought. A lot.

    Here are their sweet pairing recommendations:

    Snickers with Madeira: Rare Wine Co. Charleston Sercial Madeira. This is the Jason Wine, the undead wine, and it terrorizes your palate the first time you taste it, but you keep coming back for it like multiple horror sequels. The caramel and burnt toffee notes helps the nougat pop and the peanuts add a creaminess to the rich, dry aspect of Madeira.

    Reese's Peanut Butter Cups with Cabernet: Jakkals. This vampire wine, dark and deep and the color of rich blood, dies when hits the sunlight. The cabs oak presence and rich dark fruits bite deep into the peanut butter and chocolate richness allowing the saltiness to add a depth and flare to the cabs richness.

    Starburst with Sparkling: Prodige Blanc de Blancs Sparkling. It's a ghost wine, bright and glowing with a screaming acidity like a banshee that haunts the coastline. The bright and bubbly character of sparkling wine with its laser like acidity can help the star bright playful notes within Starburst, and the sweet and tart fruits help explode the floral and lemon peel notes of most sparklings.

    Candy Corn (seriously, how many adults eat candy corn?) with Riesling: Urban Circle U. The Carrie wine can be lovingly sweet and beautiful, but if done in a different style it can have an acidity that will rip your face off. The generous creamy sweet notes can beautifully accent the tropical notes of rich mango and raw honey that Riesling can be so evocative with.

    So what if you want a beer? I turned to Dave Ohmer, the brew master for Whole Foods Market. The new store on Post Oak, opening Nov, 6, will have the grocer’s first in-store brewery and a beer tricycle that will cruise around delivering beer to shoppers. Cool.

    “Sweet items are a good opportunity to pair hoppy beers like IPAs and Double IPAs with because sometimes hoppy beers can be tough to pair with things,” Ohmer says. “My favorite for most Halloween treats would be a Belgian framboise. The raspberry pairs well, and the tartness cuts through all the sweet.”

    He adds that a big Russian Imperial Stout would be good with caramel corn but warns that beer and apples don’t really mix.

    So, there you go. Enjoy Halloween and drink up. Now, if I could just find a cocktail that pairs with my Bit-O-Honey.

    Oh, wait, apparently there’s a shot that mirrors the taste of this childhood candy. So we’re all good.

    So what wines and beers pair well with Halloween treats?

    Halloween drinks black cat drink in glass
      
    Overstock.com [https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Holiday-Embellished-All-purpose-Wine-Glasses-4/7484763/product.html]
    So what wines and beers pair well with Halloween treats?
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    Procrastinator's Guide To Thanksgiving

    Procrastinator's Guide to Thanksgiving: Restaurant choices range from traditional to around the world

    Elizabeth Rhodes
    Nov 24, 2014 | 10:07 am
    Procrastinator's Guide to Thanksgiving: Restaurant choices range from traditional to around the world
    Courtesy photo
    Enjoy roasted turkey breast carved by Fogo de Chao's gaucho chefs, served with sweet potato casserole and cranberry relish.

    With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's time to start making arrangements if you don't already have a Turkey Day feast planned. Use CultureMap's guide — with options ranging from Brasilian cuisine to Cajun fare (and many standards, of course) — to help you figure out where to go and where to make reservations to celebrate the holiday.

    Amalfi
    This Italian newcomer in the Briargrove shopping center is featuring a four-course menu. Start with butternut squash soup. Choose from roasted quail lasagna or riccotta-stuffed pasta for your second course. Entree choices consist of stuffed turkey breast or roast sucking pig served with Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, green beans and eggplant caponata. Finish with chocolate meringue or pecan tart.
    Price: $50

    Americas/Churrascos
    Cordúa Restaurants are hosting a brunch buffet all area Americas and Churrascos locations. The buffet will include familiar dishes with a South American twist, including pumpkin and chorizo empanadas, aji pepper-rubbed turkey and pumpkin spice tres leches to name a few. Many of the restaurants' classic dishes will also be available, and don't miss out on the cinnamon-spiced cranberry sangria.
    Price: $49 for adults, $15 for children aged 6 to 12

    Artisans
    If you're interested in a French take on the holiday, visit this Midtown establishment for their four-course prix fixe feast. The meal begins with a oyster and chorizo cornbread, then on to select from jumbo lump crab cakes or a port braised short rib. Entrees range from wild rice crusted Alaskan halibut to roasted turkey breast with cream of mushrooms. A decadent pumpkin opera cake serves as the perfect finish to the autumnal meal.
    Price: $75

    Brennan's of Houston
    From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the iconic restaurant will be offering a three-course prix fixe meal. For a down-home take on French fare, start with the duck prosciutto and foie gras dish featuring duck cracklins. As for entrees, the Creole roasted turkey with jalapeno cheddar corn pudding and molasses-roasted sweet potato and pumpkin puree steals the show for a Southern take on Thanksgiving staples. Dessert options include cinnamon spiced pumpkin pie and Brennan's iconic banana's Foster.
    Price: $60

    The Federal Grill
    If you are in the mood a traditional Thanksgiving feast, this Washington-area eatery is the place for you. The three-course menu include oven roasted turkey and honey baked ham, as well as standard (and delicious) Turkey Day sides. The restaurant is offering two seatings, one at noon and another at 2:30 p.m.
    Price: $48 for adults, $12 for children 10 and under

    Fogo de Chao
    The well-known Brasilian steakhouse is serving up all the meats you could conceivably want to eat as part of their holiday feast. Roasted turkey breast, sweet potato casserole and cranberry relish will make you feel right at home. In addition to standard holiday fare, the churrascaria is also serving up house specialties like picanha sirloin, filet mignon, lamb chops, bone-in pork chop and bacon-wrapped chicken.
    Price: $52

    Mockingbird Bistro
    This neighborhood bistro is offering a three-course holiday meal from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For the first course, opt for the butternut squash souffle, complete with glazed shimeji mushrooms and toasted pepitas. As for entrees, herb roasted turkey with stuffing and sweet potato puree will satisfy your desire for traditional Thanksgiving fare. Dessert options include pumpkin cheesecake, apple bread pudding and chocolate pecan pie.
    Price: $65 for adults, $25 for children

    Rainbow Lodge
    This long-time restaurant's three-course prix fixe menu features dishes with a distinctly Southern slant. For the first course, you can't go wrong with the "Taste of the Wild," comprised of the chef's sampling of wild game. A medallion of venison paired with stuffed quail and pork belly corn pudding is a stunner, although a more traditional turkey and sides meal is also an excellent option. The croissant bread pudding is a can't-miss dessert choice. The best part yet? You can take home turkey and dressing (enough for a delicious sandwich) for only $5 extra.
    Price: $55

    60 Degrees Mastercrafted
    This ranch-to-table restaurant is offering an extensive buffet in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. You can expect gourmet updates on classics, including curried deviled eggs and foie gras bread pudding. Entree options include traditional fare, such as slow roasted turkey and baked ham with a brown sugar glaze, as well as herb roasted Akausi roast beef. Don't miss out on sides like fried Brussels sprouts and baked sweet potato casserole.
    Price: $37 for adults, $15 for children 10 and under

    Sorrel Urban Bistro
    Contemporary fare reigns supreme at the Upper Kirby restaurant's final Thanksgiving meal (it will be closing in the new year). From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sorrel offers everything from handmade gnocchi and foie gras brulee to smoked turkey leg and Chilean sea bass. Add some holiday cheer and finish your meal with a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie.
    Price: A la carte

    Did we miss your favorite Thanksgiving destination? Leave a comment below.

    CultureMap food writer Eric Sandler contributed to this article.

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