October marks the real beginning of fall in Virginia. The leaves start changing in earnest, and we get (a few) cooler days and evenings creep in earlier and earlier. October is also Virginia Wine Month! For us, celebrating Virginia Wine Month has meant a day-trip to a few Charlottesville area vineyards, local wine tasting events, and making an effort to buy Virginia wines to pair with our nightly meals. It’s been a lot of fun learning more about Virginia wines, and a few may have even found their way into our top ten favorite wines!
Along with celebrating Virginia Wine Month this fall, we have really been having fun connecting with our new home and support local businesses and creators. We recently connected with Kena and Reggie, founders of Hill and River Collection, and instantly fell in love with their candles’ wondrous scents and sophisticated packaging. Hill and River Collection was created out of a love of candles and the frustration of finding that too many candle companies have flashy packaging but no room-filling scent. After receiving a beautiful, yet dully scented candle for their first wedding anniversary, Kena and Reggie took matters into their own hands and created Hill and River Collection (H+R).
At the heart of each H+R candle are four core elements: the wax, the wick, the vessel, and, of course, the scent. H+R candles are made with a soy blend wax to ensure maximum scent throw (candle term to describe how well the candle’s fragrance circulates throughout a room). One thing we really think makes these candles unique is their wood wicks. This detail really makes lighting each candle special, and the soft sound of crackling wood almost makes us forget the lack of a fireplace in our apartment! Each candle is housed in a warm amber-colored glass, which creates a warm glow every time they are lit. And, of course, each scent has been carefully crafted to have layers that unfold while lit, creating a more complete and enjoyable candle experience.
When connecting with Kena from H+R, we found we all shared an equal love of wine and candles and thought how much fun it would be to pair candles to wine, like you would with food! The more we thought about it, the more this actually makes sense. Like food, a candle’s scent will alter how you experience the wine you are drinking (and vice versa). Some fragrances will enhance your wine drinking experience, while some will clash.
Below is our guide to pairing wine with your favorite candle scents. Try it out yourselves!
xxx Ivy & Eve
Wine: Peppery and herbaceous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Cabernet Franc.
Scent: Woodsy scents with notes of leather and tobacco.
We paired the Pollack Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2018 with the H+R Virginia Is For Lovers candle. This Cab Franc’s notes of fresh cracked pepper, dark fruit, and pomegranate, ending with a hint of velvety cocoa mingles perfectly with the aromas of cedar and barn wood with hints of peppercorn, sandalwood, and tobacco from the Virginia Is For Lovers candle.
Tip: If you’re feeling a lighter wine, try an earthy Pinot Noir. Feeling even lighter? Try a Sauvignon Blanc!
Wine: Full/Medium-bodied red wines like Syrah, Merlot, and Meritage blends with notes of baking spices and vanilla.
Scent: Pumpkin spice and freshly carved pumpkin, with a hint of sweetness.
We paired the Veritas Winery Vintners Reserve 2016 with the H+R Appalachian Autumn candle. This Virginia Meritage blend has notes of black cherry, baking spices, and toasted vanilla, with a hint of tobacco, which works perfectly with the scent of warm pumpkin, warming spices, and a touch of buttercream from the Appalachian Autumn candle.
Tip: Feeling something white? A Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) can stand up to pumpkin spices. Or maybe something sweet? We’d recommend a Vintage Port.
Wine: Full-bodied white wines like Chardonnay and Viognier.
Scent: Lemon, caramel, vanilla with a hint of creaminess.
We paired the Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve 2018 with H+R Lemon Cookies on Main candle. Viognier is a white wine varietal that grows fantastically in Virginia. Its complex notes of citrus, tropical fruits, honeysuckle, and minerals work well with citrusy and creamy foods, so it is an easy match for the scent of lemon, sandalwood, and vanilla with hints of caramel and cream from the Lemon Cookies on Main candle.
Tip: If you’re feeling something a bit sweeter, try a Sauternes or late harvest Riesling.
Wine: White wines with pronounced notes of tropical fruits, citrus, and minerality.
Scent: Tropical fruits, citrus, and exotic florals.
We paired the Early Mountain Vineyards Petit Manseng 2018 with H+R Reid’s Vacation candle. Outside France, Virginia is the only place on earth that makes notable Petit Manseng. This Petit Manseng, in particular, has notes of tropical fruit, minerality, and a hint of salinity. So, basically, a vacation in a bottle. This wine pairs perfectly with the notes of grapefruit and green mango with hints of melon and jasmine from the Reid’s Vacation candle. We love how H+R describes this candle: “REID’S VACATION is just that... a vacation. When you need to get away for a few, light this candle, and imagine you are exactly where you are destined to be.”
This candle is extra special because it’s only available during October, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. This month, we take time to honor and remember those who have lost a child during pregnancy or lost a child in infancy.
Tip: This would also go great with a festive White Sangria!
