Hallowine: Tricks, Treats and Spooky Wine Labels

Trick or treat for wine.

by Mike Supple
published: 29 Oct 2009 | Comments

Halloween is a time of year when people get really creative and show their inner desires by dressing up in all manner of costumes: sexy nurse, sexy elf, sexy nun, sexy bumblebee or Amy Winehouse [shudder]. Once the tricking and treating is over and all the kiddies are safely off the streets, a veritable bevy of adult beverages come out to play - from potions to brews to pumpkin-flavored ales. But what if you get tired of the traditional libations and want to throw in some wine for a change of pace? Will the party come to a screeching halt? Fortunately not.

October no longer has to belong to the Oktoberfest, the pumpkin ale and the sickly-sweet glowing cocktails and shooters. There are some wineries out there with spooky names and labels, and if those aren't enough to get you through the Halloween weekend, many more wineries are jumping on the "holiday label" bandwagon by putting out limited edition wares that are sure to keep the fright in your night.

The world of wine is often very large, but at least one retail chain is dedicated to helping you fulfill your frightening wine needs: Cost Plus World Market. Upon walking into my local shop today to look for a bottle of the 2006 Bogle Phantom for my weekend, I was greeted with a dozen or more great Halloween wine ideas, all at very reasonable prices. A few of these wines are created exclusively for World Market, but many of them are available around the country. Click the "FIND IT" link next to each wine to search for retailers near you, or click here to see if your local World Market carries wine.

Try out any or all of these wines - red, white and sparkling - to help make this Halloween more memorable!

	2006 Bogle Phantom - $18 - FIND IT Red Wine This popular red blend from Bogle Winery is released in August each year and quickly disappears. Rich, spicy and juicy - a full-bodied wine for connoisseurs and newbies alike. Full SuppleWine Review.
	2007 Vampire Pinot Noir - $12 - FIND IT Red Wine Originally made in Transylvania, the success of the brand has caused them to move operations to California. The juice for this wine comes from the south of France, and it's a pretty good value for Pinot Noir, particularly considering how popular Pinot is these days. They also make the following wines: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, Zinfandel, Syrah, Chardonnay and Merlot Rosé.
	2006 Trick - $8 Red Wine - World Market Exclusive A full-bodied red wine blend that works well with pizza, jambalaya and roast pork. Produced only for World Market during Halloween.
	2007 Zombie Zin - $10 Red Wine - World Market Exclusive A spicy, bold Zinfandel that goes well with steak, lamb shank and lasagna. Produced only for World Market during Halloween.
	Ed Hardy Sangria - $12 - FIND IT Blend of Red Wine and Fruit Juice This wine clocks in at a mere 7% alcohol, making it a drink that is easy to sip throughout the evening. (By comparison most red wines range from 12% - 17%.) It's a combination of red wine and fruit juice, and does have a dose of sugar that makes it semi-sweet. Good on its own, poured over ice or mixed with more fruit and brandy.
	Dia De Los Merlot - $14 Red Wine - World Market Exclusive A medium-bodied red wine that is a tribute to the Dia De Los Muertos - the Mexican Day of the Dead - a celebration from November 1 - 2 that honors the dead. Produced only for World Market during Halloween.
	2007 Spellbound Cabernet Sauvignon - $14 - FIND IT Red Wine Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Petite Sirah and other reds for structure and spice. Lush and rich, made for drinking on its own or pairing with rich foods like beef tenderloin or roast lamb. Spellbound also makes Petite Sirah, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Riesling.
	2007 R Wines Evil Cabernet Sauvignon - $10 - FIND IT Red Wine Red wine from South Australia that is made by one of Australia's most famous winemakers: Chris Ringland. An easy-to-drink Cabernet - it is juicy and fresh without much tannin, and it's bottled with a screw cap so there's no corkscrew needed. And yes, the label is upside-down on purpose (so when you pour, it's right-side-up...).
	2008 Treat - $8 White Wine - World Market Exclusive A simple, refreshing, zesty and fruity white wine blend. Perfect for starting the evening or matching with seafood, chicken or cheesy, creamy and buttery foods. Produced only for World Market during Halloween.
	2007 R Wines Pure Evil Chardonnay - $10 - FIND IT White Wine White wine from South Australia that's made in stainless steel so there is no heavy oak or butter flavor to it - just "pure" Chardonnay. Crisp, refreshing and a nice contrast to their Evil Cabernet for any white wine lover. Also bottled with a screw cap.
	2007 Zeller Schwarze Katz "Black Cat" Riesling - $12 - FIND IT White Wine A reference to German winemaking lore in which a black cat chose which barrel of wine was the best of the vintage. Crisp and bright with a hint of sweet. Great with moderately spicy foods, seafood, chicken, Thai or Chinese. (And yes, this bottle is actually shaped like a cat.)
	Canella Blood Orange Mimosa - $15 - FIND IT Sparkling Wine and Blood Orange Juice A twist on the traditional Mimosa (a blend of sparkling wine and orange juice often served at brunch), this premade cocktail blends Italian sparkling wine with the juice and pulp of Sicilian Blood Oranges. Available in standard sized wine bottles (750 ml), but also comes in convenient single-serving 187 ml bottles.