6 WINES TO ENJOY FOR HALLOWEEN!
This last week of October is always a special one, with Halloween around the corner. Whether you have children in your home or not, if you live in Canada or the U.S., you really can’t ignore all of the festive decorations and pop-up costume shops that seem to be all over the place right about now.
Then there are those with kids. We’re all in a frenzy making sure everyone has a costume and we’ve bought enough candy. There are so many Halloween and/or spooky movies on to watch right now too. So, there’s no ignoring Halloween I think.
Well, there you have it - a real list of reasons that you need some good wine in this last week of October. Whether to help pass the time as you pass out candies to the littles, or enjoy as you snuggle up and watch a scary flick on TV, I say wine is in order! And I’ve got a great selection for you to choose from below!
NOTE - If you’re located in Ontario and shopping at the LCBO, I’ve provided links to help you out below. Just remember that product availability will vary from location to location, and not all products last very long. Click the links below to check availability at your preferred store, or online. These wines recommendations are based on the October 16, 2021 LCBO Vintages release.
All images of wine bottles below are taken from the LCBO website.
6 WINES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR THE LEAD UP TO HALLOWEEN!
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut Champagne $91.95 Product #384529
Bollinger (pronounced “boh-lan-jay”) is an esteemed Champagne house that has been producing Champagne since 1829. One of the few independent, family owned estates that still exist in the Champagne region, Bollinger is well known for its appearance in James Bond films, the fact that it has held a Royal Warrant since 1884 and its nickname “Bolly” in Champagne-loving circles.
The Special Cuvee is the house’s non-vintage offering, meaning it is representative of Bollinger’s classic style. Made from a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier that is sourced from over 300 “cru” sites, this Champagne is zingy and toasty, and full of finesse and elegance.
Perfect for your keeping yourself entertained as you pass out candy on Halloween, wouldn’t you say? ;-)
96 points - decanter.com
Gardet Cuvee Tradition Brut Champagne $46.95 Product #924654
A traditional Champagne for half the price of the one above!?! I say sign me up!
Though it does not carry the same cache as Bollinger, Champagne Gardet is a very solid offering, with a long lineup of quality Champagnes. This particular example is the house style, made from 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Pinot Meunier and 10% Chardonnay.
Pair this sparkling wine with sushi, or enjoy it as an aperitif at your Halloween bash!
91 points - winespectator.com
2019 Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles $29.95 Product #723940
If you’re more in the mood for red wine, but not one that will be too heavy, you’ve got to try this wine! And believe me when I say you won’t believe it until you try it.
Why you ask? Well, this wine has not seen any oak at all. Made from a blend of 72% Grenache, 23% Mataro (Mourvedre) and 5% Shiraz, this GSM blend is earthy and dense, which would suggest to the uninformed that it has been aged in perhaps used oak - however, its overall lightness is more telling of its pedigree.
GSM blends are an Australian speciality and Torbreck is an excellent producer out of the Barossa Valley in South Australia, all combining to make this wine the perfect pairing for a late night Halloween flick! :)
92 points - decanter.com
2019 Tenuta San Guido Le Difese $38.95 Product #147876
Talk about a stellar wine at this price point!
This wine is made by Tenuta San Guido, the same producer who makes the world-famous super tuscan, Sassicaia. This is their third wine, and is meant to be more accessible, both from an early drinking and price point perspective.
That notwithstanding, this is a gorgeous wine. Hailing from Tuscany and choc-a-block full of deep and soulful character, this wine is savoury and structured and perfectly delicious with Halloween chocolate stolen from a child….or prime rib - your choice….just be sure to decant the wine for an hour before drinking it! :))
92 points - Wine Enthusiast
2019 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto $66.95 Product #72439
One might argue that this wine should not make this list and I’d have to confess that I can see their point. The reason being that this wine isn’t exactly one you should be drinking now - in fact, its prime drinking window is a few years out.
So - buy it now and drink it on Halloween’s to come, I say! ;-)
No, seriously, this is a beautiful wine and worthy of your attention. It’s Tenuta San Guido’s second wine and it is quite the charmer. I bought a few bottles for my cellar myself. This is a definite cellar selection. And at a great price, I might add!
95 points - Wine Enthusiast
2018 Demuerte $19.95 Product #574780
With its perfectly perfect (for Halloween) label, this beautiful Monastrell (aka Mouvedre) and Syrah blend from Yecla, Spain is sure to delight those that love a rich, full bodied and smooth wine.
Oh and by the way - Yecla is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Monastrell in Spain, where it is by far the most heavily planted when considered on a global scale. That’s pretty darn cool if you ask me!
Pair this wine with your favourite takeout meal, once you’ve exhausted the kids and their trick-or-treatin’ ways and you’re ready to kick up your feet and earn a well deserved break!
And there you have it - my top picks for the days leading up to Halloween. Here’s hoping it’s a sufficiently spooky one!
Wishing you good health and treasured memories…..Cheers!
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WINE TASTING NOTE: 2019 Lungarotti Rubesco Rosso di Torgiano