By David Setley
As we head into late October, many of us welcome the start of the holiday season by celebrating Halloween and/or the Day of the Dead. Whether you are planning the perfect costume, a festive party or small get-together, or a simple weekend at home, I invite you to “wine down” with me for a few minutes.
This time of year, I look for wines that complement the colors of autumn and are in some way representative of the traditions, stories, and legends of these mid-fall holidays. According to the History Channel Online, Halloween originated from a Celtic festival of Samhain where participants would ignite bonfires and wear costumes. The Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos) originated over 3,000 years ago when the Aztecs used the celebration to honor the dead as a normal part of the continuing cycle of life.
Dark red wines are often the obvious choice to reflect the spirit of the season. My newest discovery is the Cocodrilo Corte 2018 from Medoza, Argentina. Cocodrilo means crocodile in Spanish. In 1989, well-known California winemaker Paul Hobbs became intrigued with the people, the culture, and the viticulture of Argentina. In partnership with a vineyard, he produced a Bordeaux-style red blend. This outstanding wine has a dark purple hue with earthy aromas of leather, smoke, and oak. The pallet features blackberry, plum, blueberry, cassis, chocolate, and white pepper.
Looking for a red wine that seconds as table décor? The Apothic Dard Bold Red Blend has a limited-edition label that does the trick. As the name indicates, this wine is a bold red blend with a rich garnet, almost black, color. The aromas are black raspberry and cocoa; the pallet is black cherries and black raspberry with notes of licorice for a rich and spice-tinged mouthfeel.
There are other delicious options to consider beyond red. If you have never tried an orange wine, I have found the Montinore Estate L’Orange 2020 from the Willamette Valley of Oregon very enjoyable. Orange wine is a cousin to the popular Rose’, except it is made from white grapes, whereas Rose’ is made from red. In both varietals, the wine is fermented with the skins in contact with the juice; white grape skins create an orange or coral colored wine. The Montinore L’Orange 2020 is made from Pinot Gris and Moscat 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.
For my final pick, I point you to Valenzano Winery for the Jersey Devil Forte Port for a dessert or after-dinner wine. Southern New Jersey folklore tells the story of the Jersey Devil (jerseyhistory.org), a creature that inhabits the Pine Barrens. The Jersey Devil has been described in various forms, including a kangaroo-like creature with a goat-like head, bat wings, horns, small arms with clawed hands, legs with cloven hooves, and a forked tail. Their wine is described as deep, rich and velvet, fortified with brandy and aged in oak for three years. It is powerful stuff (19.5% alcohol), so approach with caution!
Whether you celebrate Halloween or the Day of the Dead or are just looking for a wine that fits the season, give these a try. They are sure to raise your spirits and pair well with many autumnal dishes. If you have questions, please contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com. Happy wining!
David Setley is a certified sommelier enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine enthusiast and educator at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
