The Ultimate Girl Scout Cookie Wine Pairing Guide

Generally speaking, when you see someone standing outside your usual grocery store with a fold-up table and a clipboard, you pull your hood up, put your head down, and head straight for the car. Except, of course, when it comes to Girl Scout Cookie season, in which case your head may say run for the hills, but your heart and your stomach say, “How many boxes does – [checks wallet/pockets/purse] – $42, a Chapstick, and a half-pack of tissues get me?”

Now, imagine getting that stash of Thin Mints, Tagalongs, and Samoas home, popping open a bottle or two of your favorite wines, and settling in for an evening of Netflix and chill? Well, we are here for that scenario. We have even created a helpful primer on the very best wine and Girl Scout cookie pairings possible, so grab a corkscrew and your checkbook, and get ready to place your orders.

Thin Mints + Cabernet Sauvignon

Whether you store them in the freezer for a cool, crisp, after-dinner delight, or keep them in your cabinet and let the mint chocolaty coating melt between your fingers, Thin Mints are one of the most addictive Girl Scout cookies around. And dare we say they’re almost a little bit… elegant? That’s why they need an equally serious wine to pair with them. We love a California cabernet sauvignon. This rich, full-bodied wine can often present slight mint and eucalyptus notes, along with aromas of chocolate and mocha, which play off the sophisticated flavors of these Girl Scout cookie favorites.

Wines to try:

Goosecross Game Farm Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, California, $95

Priest Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, $50

Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Healdsburg, California, $55

Adventurefuls + Port & Port-Style Wines

We could easily fall into a food coma with these latest additions to the Girl Scout cookie family. Indulgent brownie-inspired cookies are topped with caramel-flavored crème that is kicked up a notch with a touch of sea salt. We weren’t sure a better flavor combination existed, until we paired these decadent treats with a rich and heady Port. When something is as sweet as an Adventureful, it’s best not to fight it. Instead, pile on more sweetness with a dessert wine. Try a Ruby, Tawny, or LBV Port with these cookies and prepare to have your palate wowed.

Wines to try:

Imagery NV Port, Sonoma County, California, $29

Doffo Winery NV Port, Temecula Valley, California, $44

PasoPort Tawny Port, Paso Robles, California, $52

Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs + Malbec

Salt and pepper (or Salt-N-Pepa!). Thelma & Louise. Caviar and Champagne. Peanut butter and chocolate. Some things are just meant to be together. That’s why Peanut Butter Patties – AKA Tagalongs depending on where you are – are among the most popular Girl Scout cookies. The Girl Scouts took a cookie, slathered it in peanut butter, and then dipped it in a chocolate coating. The result is pure heaven. And it’s even more heavenly nibbled with a glass of juicy malbec, bursting with dark berry aromas and spice – like a leveled-up peanut butter and jelly (and chocolate) sandwich. If only we could have brought those for lunch in grammar school.

Wines to try:

Charles Krug Winery Malbec, Napa Valley, California, $75

James Cole Malbec, Napa Valley, California, $85

Mascota Vineyards Unanime, Mendoza, Argentina, $25

Trefoils + Sparkling Wine

Do you know how traditional shortbread cookies are made? They’re basically just sugar, flour, and butter. A lot of butter. And everything is better with butter, right? Girl Scout Trefoils are just that – crispy, crumbly shortbread cookies baked into the iconic Girl Scout trefoil shape. All of that butter calls for a glass of cold, high-acid sparkling wine to cleanse your palate. We love a bone-dry brut, a bubbly rosé, an off-dry selection to match the sweetness of the cookie, or even a ruby-colored Lambrusco or sparkling shiraz for a fun berry-flavored pop.

Wines to try:

Bricoleur Isla Rose Sparkling Brut Rosé, Sonoma County, California, $50

Domaine Carneros Verméil Demi-Sec, Carneros, California, $39

Patz & Hall North Coast Brut, Sonoma County, California, $55

Caramel deLites/Samoas + Rosé

A cookie that packs as much punch as these ooey-gooey morsels – crisp cookies covered in sticky coconut with a chocolate drizzle – need a wine with just as much personality. We love a bright, juicy rosé with berry, melon, and citrus notes to complement the rich, tropical flavors of the Samoas (AKA Caramel deLites). Pick one that’s light and dry for a refreshing sip after a bite of decadent cookie, or something more full-bodied for a fun and fruit-forward post-cookie gulp.

Wines to try:

Anarchist Wine Co. Rosé Against the Machine, Clarksburg, California, $26

Tank Garage Winery Wild Child Rosé, Sierra Foothills, California, $28

Girl Scout S’mores + Chardonnay

Close your eyes and take a bite of one of these classic graham sandwich cookies stuffed with marshmallow and chocolate and you are transported to that summer camping trip making s’mores by the campfire. Now, pour yourself a glass of chardonnay and enjoy how notes of toasty oak, juicy pear, and vanilla play off the cookie’s marshmallow and graham cracker flavors for the ultimate Girls Scout cookie wine pairing.

Wines to try:

Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California, $27

Hahn SLH Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, $25

Wiens Family Cellars Reserve Chardonnay, Temecula Valley, California, $42

Lemonades/Lemon Ups + Albariño

Not all Girl Scout cookies are completely over-the-top decadent. Some are light and lively, like the elegant Lemonades and Lemon Ups – crispy, tangy lemon cookies baked with inspiring messages on them. Try these bright and zesty cookies with an equally bright and zesty albariño. The citrus notes and juicy acidity from the wine will mingle with the lemon flavors of the cookie for a refreshing match made in wine and cookie heaven.

Wines to try:

Artesa Albariño, Napa Valley, California, $35

Ransom Albariño, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $28

La Caña Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain, $20

Gluten-Free Caramel Chocolate Chip + Pinot Noir

Who doesn’t love a classic? It’s hard to believe that these chewy cookies, featuring rich caramel, semisweet chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt are gluten-free because they sure taste like the real deal. And, they’re even better when paired with a glass of silky pinot noir. The soft fruit and delicate mouthfeel of a great pinot make this versatile wine the perfect accompaniment for a timeless cookie classic like chocolate chip. You may even be tempted to dunk these delights right in your wine.

Wines to try:

Kenwood Vineyards Six Ridges Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California, $30

Benziger Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California, $45

Migration Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, California, $70

Special shout out to the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio, Troop #1128, for supplying the stash of cookies to help conduct all of the difficult “research” for this piece.

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Author

Devin Parr

Devin Parr is a San Diego-based freelance writer and consultant specializing in wine, travel and lifestyle. In addition to covering the global wine industry, she is the resident expert in Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country, serving as the region’s ambassador on behalf of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. She holds a certification in wine expertise from the Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy, as well as the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma. In 2017, she was named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. Follow her adventures at @thesocalwinegal and www.devinparr.com.