On Day 8 of my 13 Days of Halloween, I’m searching for Halloween-themed wines to serve at my party. Finding the perfect balance of variety, price and spooky label is a real ghost hunt.
Fortunately, I found these great tasting candidates for my guests to enjoy and they don’t break the bank. Most of the selections are less than $15 per bottle and two rate above 90 with Wine Enthusiast. I had better luck finding red wines with a spooky label.
Seven Deadly Vins for a Haunting Halloween
Apothic Dark
Apothic Dark seamlessly integrates flavors of blueberry and blackberry with enticing notes of coffee and dark chocolate for a rich and smooth mouthfeel with layers of texture.
A majority of the grapes in Apothic Dark were selected from Lodi, where the intense sunlight and diverse soil structure create layers of complexity. In the cellar, the grapes for Apothic Dark were fermented at a maximum of 90 degrees to increase the extraction of dark jammy fruit characteristics. A variety of yeasts were used to bring out unique flavors and features from each lot. Following fermentation, the wine was influenced by a variety of oak to add complexity and enhance the coffee and dark chocolate flavors.
Apothic Red
A bold blend of primarily Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Apothic Red leaves a lasting impression of flavor and texture on the palate. Zinfandel offers bold dark fruit flavors and spicy notes, complemented by the soft mouthfeel of Merlot. The Syrah adds layers of smooth blueberry, while the Cabernet Sauvignon delivers ripe fruit flavors and a firm structure. This decadent blend is framed by hints of black cherry, vanilla, and mocha. This wine is featured at Starbucks® locations where their Evenings menu is offered.
Dark Horse
The Dark Horse Big Red Blend has deep flavors of dark berry and black currant, supported by plush tannins, hints of dark roasted oak and a long finish. This Red Blend underwent alcoholic fermentation with hand chosen yeast to provide enhanced color, structure and fruit characteristics. A blend of Malbec, Rubired, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Merlot.
Ghost Pines
Our 2013 Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and offers tremendous depth, opening with aromas of intense blackberry, blackcurrant and dark cherry. One will also find aromas of toasty oak, vanilla, and toasted nuts before the palate opens with flavors of Asian spice framed by seamless, mouth-coating ripe tannins. Combining desirable mid-palate viscosity and full, round mouthfeel, our Cabernet concludes with outstanding length accented by mouth-filling black fruit.
Gnarly Head
Critical Acclaim: WE90
Gnarly Head 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel is made using grapes sourced from gnarled 30-80 year old head trained vines. From some of the oldest vines in California, the fruit produced is exceptional, intense and full-flavored. The intrepid Old Vine Zinfandel has a gnarly core of rich, jammy blackberries and mocha flavors with layers of spice and vanilla balanced by complex French and American oak toast.
Midnight
For this special wine, Ménage à Trois wanted to create a truly uninhibited blend—something deeper, darker, and bolder than ever before. In true Ménage à Trois style, they decided that ‘more is more,’ and crafted a blend of not three—but four—grapes! Merlot adds a plush, velvety texture, Cabernet Sauvignon offers elegance and power, Petite Sirah lends inky intensity and Petit Verdot imparts a deep violet color and concentrated fruit. To round out the flavors the wine is aged on French and American oak. The result is a wine that leaves an indelible impression. It’s mysterious and dark, soft and sensual—just like Midnight.
Seven Deadly Vins
Critical Acclaim: WE 91 & TP91
The 2012 incarnation of Lodi’s quintessential Zinfandel is a tasty example of focused winemaking. Crushed berry, soft oak and cigar box notes create a fragrant appeal that leaves you wanting more. The 2012 vintage shows explosive, concentrated fruit in the mouth, with plenty of acidity to balance the ripeness. Offers wild berry, spice and black berry compote on the finish.
Most of the featured selections are readily available. I snapped these photos at my local Kroger. Cost Plus World Market always offers a great selection of Halloween-theme wines but the closest one to me is two hours.
All reviews are courtesy of wine.com.
Can’t wait to toast the season! Do you have suggestions you would add to this list?
I discovered the Dark Horse while in Florida last week and its my new fall favorite. I really liked the Cupcake Dark Velvet (and I’m not usually a Cupcake fan).