As the holiday season launches with the festivities of All Hallows Eve I began thinking what wines I’d like to play a game of treats, no tricks with (wine tricks can be rather distasteful…pun intended). I also began thinking of the enjoyment of wrapping up a day releasing my brain to the debauchery of movies & a nice glass of wine. I decided for this season I’ll keep it California…the years to follow will most than likely find me roving around on the prowl for the adventures of far away lands. The following is the fusing of those ideas & hopefully inspiration for you to sip on for Halloween evening.
My 1st wine has that classy murder mystery quality that heeds to the royal heart suspended in the whispered gossip of who-done-it. I love everything to start with sparkles in my world! Iron Horse Vineyards will have you desiring to dig into the earth for clues to it’s mysterious beauty they call Brut Rose. The lingered love affair within it’s skins leave a vivid bright red sight that saunters over to flavors of tart cherries, raspberries & dried rose petals from a fiendish tryst. As you indulge in the joy of your lovers hunt, fresh venison tenderloin drizzled in berry sauce with creamy potatoes, you will be enveloped by the evenings allure. As my mind lingers to Thomas Crown Affair (1999) I can’t stop thinking the perfect pairing is Nora Roberts, Montana Sky (2007). Whichever angle you desire, romance is in the air.
You can visit Iron Horse Vineyards at 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472 or order online at http://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/Shop-Wines
My 2nd wine pick is for the Zinfandel lover at heart. Nothing like a red wine laced with femme fatale sweetness. Alexander Valley Vineyards has been producing the seductress they call Sin Zin since 1978. This is a wine most everyone will enjoy in their swirl down adventures. A joyful haunted house of fun will have you basking in spiced plum, rich black cherry with the gun fired entanglement of black pepper. Delve into this with a sherry & mushroom lamb stew that you don’t have to be silent about. As this wine has a more versatile appeal the movie should also appeal to the masses. For those with children, you could wind down with Maleficent (2014). However, I feel like this is a perfect match for any of the Underworld movies. Though the lead roll is not portrayed as the bad girl, there is a lot of vampire & werewolf love that can be enjoyed by a range of viewers.
You can visit Alexander Valley Vineyards at 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, CA 95448 or order online at http://www.avvwine.com/shop.html
My 3rd sipper is from 1 of my favorite dog friendly, local to me, wineries. Get your hunting predator instincts on the run with a heart racing red. Mutt Lynch Winery released a new guardian of Hades, Hellhound. The Hellhound wine will have your soul release from you upon it’s howl into the smoky mists of blackberry, leather & tobacco. A bold blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel & Petite Sirah, this wine will open up your carnivore spirit. Ravage through a well executed burger or coffee crusted steak while you prepare for family friendly Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (2010). There is an indie movie called Hellhounds (2009) should you want that adventure, but I would probably keep that kid free.
You can visit Mutt Lynch Winery at 9050 Windsor Road, Windsor, CA 95492 or order online at http://www.muttlynchwinery.com/
The 4th & final wine I thought of is of the sparkling persuasion. After all, I can fall entranced by a cauldron of red bubbly. Mumm Napa has a rich & curious juice they call Cuvee M Red that will raise an eyebrow. As the excitement of bubbles tingle in your glass it will intrigue your eye first with it’s dark ruby color, then waft with red plum & hints of sweet tobacco. This unique sparkler, which is a blend of Pinot Noir & Syrah, is not for the faint of heart. So if your thinking of BBQ flavors the movie should have an incendiary quality to match so I’d stick to old fashion Halloween (1978). Should that be too frightening you can calm it to a more thriller, less horror movie, Hostage (2005).
You can visit Mumm Napa at 8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford, CA 95473 or order online at https://www.mummnapa.com/visitmummnapa
My hopes are that there is a wine for everyone in this list. Cheers to a Halloween evening hopefully without the tricks!