Wine Guy: Trick or treat sips

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While trick or treating may be the domain of kids, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a swirl and sip while handing out the Halloween candy. Or perhaps you’re headed out to an adults-only All Hallows’ Day party. Regardless, here are three options ready to pair with any spooky occasion.

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See Ya Later Ranch 2023 Legacy Viognier, B.C.

($27.99, available through the winery)

To be trick or treat worthy a wine doesn’t need to be explicitly scary. No need for skull-emblazoned labels or outsized ghoulish themes. A subtle nod to the afterlife can keep things nicely Halloween adjacent, which is where Okanagan Falls’ See Ya Later Ranch comes in. If looking for a bit more connection it’s worth noting that there is a pet cemetery on site at the winery as part of the old homestead. However, the wines are quite friendly. The Legacy Series Viognier is an aromatic bomb wafting stone fruit, melon, and flora notes. Lively and robust before a fruity finish, it goes great with chicken tangine.

Bottom line: B, also pairs with caramel corn.

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Casillero del Diablo 2022 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile

($16.99, No. 278416)

Of course, if you prefer things more overtly Halloween (and red), Casillero del Diablo makes an obvious choice. Don’t be too afraid, the “Devil’s Cellar” is not actually haunted — legend has it it was just a strategic name to scare off potential thieving cellar hands! This is a friendly, easy-to-get-into Cab Sauv, with confected cassis and dark fruit kicking off a juicy, smooth entry before some vegetal underlay. Medium-bodied overall, hints of dark chocolate present on an otherwise friendly finish, making this an easy pick with takeout pizza or a pot of chili; really whatever easy meal to serve while handing out the Halloween candy.

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Bottom line: B, great with mini chocolates.

Longwood Brewery Full Patch Pumpkin Ale, B.C.

($4.69 for 473 mL can, No. 134885) 

Finally, there is the understandable reality that wine may not be the preferred Halloween candy distribution beverage. If suds are more the thing, keep the theme and crack open a can of Longwood Brewery’s Full Patch Pumpkin Ale. It’s actually a Belgian-style Saison, and a hefty one at that. Checking in at nine per cent alcohol-by-volume, this qualifies as a real slow sipper. Pouring a cloudy amber, aromas of citrus and subtle pumpkin spice feature, with big time intensity and a rich and malty mid-palate giving way to more overt nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. The finish is fulsome, almost chewy. In short, a great partner for chocolate peanut butter cups. 

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Bottom line: B+, try with cheese or cheese sticks.

The Swirl: Marquis Wine Club

Tired of making all the wine decisions? Lower Mainland wine aficionados can check out the Marquis Wine Club.

Curated by Marquis Wine Cellars, the club offers a variety of flexible wine packages curated to individual’s tastes. Wine club picks are often Marquis exclusive bottles, not to mention the club selections come with exclusive offers, tasting notes and recipe suggestions.

Even better? Sign up by Oct. 31 and there’s free shipping on the first wine club package.

Head to marquis-wines.com or call 604-684-0445 for complete details.

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