Drink Up!
Happy Halloween! Pumpkin spice, pumpkin beer, ginger snaps, and candy corn are as synonymous with the holiday as witches, ghouls, and goblins. But what about wine? Whether you are planning the perfect costume, a festive party or small get-together, or a simple weekend at home, “wine down” with me as I offer a few recommendations to complement this spook-tacular season.
This time of year, I look for wines that complement the colors and flavors of autumn and are in some way representative of the traditions, stories, legends, and tastes of the fall holidays: Halloween and the Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos). According to the History Channel Online, Halloween originated from a Celtic festival of Samhain, when participants would ignite bonfires and wear costumes. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III established Nov. 1 as the Feast of All Saints. A century later, Oct. 31 became the Feast of All Souls. The Day of the Dead originated over 3,000 years ago when the Aztecs used the celebration to honor the dead as part of the cycle of life.
The traditional colors of the Halloween season are black (or purple) and orange. I discussed orange wine in depth a few weeks ago, but if you missed it, here are some great wines to fill the orange color palette. The Christina Orange Wine by winemaker Christina Netzl from Carnuntum, Austria is a perfect choice. This organic, natural, vegan-friendly wine is a true crowd-pleaser. The Netzl family estate has been cultivating wine grapes since 1650 in Göttlesbrunn, Austria. This wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Welschriesling and is light, fresh and dry with the flavors of apple, white peach, tangerine, pomelo, lemon peel, and stone fruit, with a soft tannic profile resulting from 24 days of skin contact. There are no chemical pesticides or herbicides used in growing these grapes and no sulfites added. Plus, the price is very reasonable. Orange wines pair well with many of the flavors of Halloween. Try it with balsamic, spicy candied pecans, or with candies like Snickers, Pay Day, or Baby Ruth bars that you don’t hand out to a trick-or-treater. Or, wait for it, candy corn! I know this is one of those love-hate candies, but a small handful most days is an October tradition in our household that goes really well with orange wines.
For your purple color, the Christina Zweigelt is another natural, organic Austrian red wine produced by winemaker Christina Netzl. This is 100% Zweigelt, a varietal that originated in Austria and was the 1922 creation of Dr. Friedrich Zweigelt, an Austrian viticulturist and plant scientist. His goal was to graft together a red wine grape with a rich flavor and a firm tannic structure. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented entirely by native/wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks to preserve the wonderful dark fruit flavors of red cherry, dark berries, and a distinct touch of spicy white and black pepper. This is definitely a chillable red wine. If you have red licorice twists or sour patch candies, you have found your perfect wine pairing. It also pairs with dark chocolate bars. Give it a try!
Although no wine is truly black in color, there are some that are almost purple. One of my favorites has a name that also (somewhat) evokes the season. Old Soul Petite Sirah from Lodi, California is a wonderful dry red wine produced from one of the darkest grapes. Reasonably priced and delicious, this wine has a deep purple color with flavors of rich, dark berries and hints of cocoa powder and espresso beans. It pairs well with chocolate-covered espresso beans or with dark chocolate-covered nuts or pretzels. The J. Lohr Tower Road Petite Sirah is another outstanding example of this wine.
Zinfandel, the red wine, not the blush-colored white wine, is another great option. The OZV Old Vine Zinfandel from the Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi, California is all treats and no tricks. The fruit is sourced entirely from sustainably farmed, family-owned estate vineyards in Lodi, California. Lodi enjoys warm days and cool nights, which allows the grapes to fully ripen while maintaining their natural acidity. This wine features a deep, dark ruby color with flavors of blackberries and plums, with notes of vanilla and baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. It is full-bodied with very smooth tannins. The jammy notes pair well with one of Halloween’s favorite treats: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Something local to enjoy this Halloween is the Valenzano Jersey Devil Forte. This is a Port-style, fortified wine. It’s made from an indigenous American grape called Cynthiana, also known as Norton, as it was discovered by Dr. Daniel Norton in Richmond, Virginia in the early 1800s. After being produced as a sweet red wine, the wine is fortified with brandy and aged in oak barrels for three years. Enjoy it as a dessert wine in small pours. Valenzano also makes the Jersey Devil Chocolate Port wine. Either pair well with dark chocolate truffles or chocolates with caramel or nuts. The labels of both bottles depict beautifully frightening images of the Pine Barrens legend for which they are named.
I hope you celebrate Halloween with some of these wines and treats (no tricks!). They are sure to raise your spirits. My favorite Halloween movie is Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein”. To use some quotes from that classic, this is the season to try something a little “Abby Normal,” whether you are taking a hayride with Inga or “Puttin’ On the Ritz.” Remember your flashlight and be careful…“the stairway can be treacherous!” As always, contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop by the wine bar. Until next time, Happy Halloween and happy wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
