With the scariest night of the year only a few sleeps away, many people we know are looking to fete All Hallows’ Eve in style.
And as costume parties abound, inevitably people start asking us about the perfect pairings for Fright Night that won’t scare the daylights out of their bank accounts.
Now, unlike other notable seasonal celebrations like Thanksgiving or Christmas, where selecting a great wine to pair with the occasion is like shooting fish in a barrel, in our minds there really isn’t a spooktacular wine for the masquerade ball. Sure, there are darkly hued cocktails with clever names and ice-trays in creative shapes like witch hats and ghosts, but when it comes to wine it’s tough to get a bottle that can fill in for eye of newt in a pinch.
But, cute names aside, if you’re hosting a ghoulish crowd this year and don’t want to be scared silly in terms of budget, here are some magic bottles that will do the trick for your wallet and be a treat for your guests.
Haunting Reds
Castillo de Monseran Garanacha Carinena, Spain 2010
$8.95 LCBO 73395
A fabulous and delicious value, filled with ripe raspberry concentrate, crushed black pepper and spice. Fresh and juicy, with just enough tannins to keep things interesting, this is a sure bet for a crowd.
Masi Sergio Alighieri Possessioni Rosso, Veneto 2009
$14.95 LCBO 447326
Rich ruby in colour and truly Italian with aromas of dry cured meat, crushed black pepper and smokey bay leaves. On the palate look for smoke, black cherry, dark chocolate, meat and olives notes. Old world sophistication for an unbeatable price.
Chilling Whites
Trapiche Astica Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion, Argentina 2010
$7.55 LCBO 359083
Starbright and pale straw, guests never guess this wine is less than $10. Rich and medium bodied with pleasing tropical notes, sweet citrus and herbacious flavours, this is a completely enjoyable wine.
Beringer Stone Cellars Chardonnay, California 2008
$13.95 LCBO 606806
Pale gold and lightly oaked with flavours and aromas of canned fruit salad and ripe pear. Hints of vanilla and butterscotch add some complexity, while the restrained use of oak keeps things fresh and easy drinking.
I really appreciate that you'll do the gruelling research to find these gems for us! 😉