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). Halloween originated from a Celtic festival of Samhain, where participants would ignite bonfires and wear costumes, according to the History Channel Online. 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 Montinore Estate L’Orange from the Willamette Valley of Oregon is an enjoyable orange wine. It is made from Pinot Gris and Muscat grapes, resulting in a dry wine with aromas of orange blossoms, honey and chamomile tea. The flavor is bright with notes of tangerine, melon and a touch of tarragon, perfect for the fall season. Or, for another popular orange wine, try the Gulp Hablo Orange Wine, an organic and vegan-friendly wine from the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. The Christina Orange wine from Austria is also delicious. This one is a natural, minimal intervention wine, meaning it is made from organic grapes, there are little or no added sulfites, and only natural yeast is used in fermenting the wine. The flavor profile is similar to that of the Montinore L’Orange, albeit a bit more robust.
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 candy 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.
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 darker grapes in the color palette. Both 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 very well with chocolate-covered espresso beans, or with dark chocolate-covered nuts or pretzels.
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 the sustainably farmed, family-owned estate vineyards. 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 abundant flavors of dark fruit, like 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 of this wine pair well with one of Halloween’s favorite treats: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Don’t believe me? Give it a try.
The Rocca Del Dragone (The Rock of the Dragon) from Campagna, Italy, is a great buy. The vineyards from which this wine is grown are low-yield, high-quality grapes with vines averaging 20 years of age. The Rocca Del Dragone is a deep red wine made from hand-selected 100% Aglianico grapes that are harvested in late October. It has aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, and coffee, with notes of pepper and minerality. The result is a full-bodied yet amazingly smooth and elegant wine. If you are unfamiliar with this varietal, take advantage of this holiday to become acquainted. You will not regret knowing the dragon! It pairs well with dark chocolate candy bars with hints of chili peppers that can be found in many grocery stores.
I have just enough space for one final recommendation that can’t be missed this year. 19 Crimes, the popular wine brand from Australia, has a special edition of Universal Monsters for this holiday season. The Monster of Frankenstein Cabernet Sauvignon is a must-have for your Halloween. This rich, bold, and aromatic cab features Frankenstein’s Monster on the label, but that isn’t all. Scan the QR code on the bottle, and focus your screen on the face of the monster. He comes alive to describe the wine to you. To quote the monster, “Wine good!” Pair this wine with any very dark chocolate bar, such as Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate.
I hope you celebrate Halloween with some of these wines and treats (no tricks)! They are sure to raise your spirits. As always, if you have questions, 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.
