uncorked
Wine can be spooky. Bubbling vats of fermenting grape juice emit heat, froth and mysterious gases, while seemingly innocent cellars are inexplicitly called caves in France. With Halloween falling tomorrow, why not tuck a bottle of wine in your trick-or-treat bag to celebrate?
It is unclear how orange became a Halloween colour - it is an autumn hue, but could also be associated with jack-o'-lanterns. For an orange celebration, open a bottle from the Orange region of France, home of the famous Rhone Valley wines such as Domaine Roger Sabon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Kedington; $367).
Otherwise, pop open a bottle of the orange-label Veuve Clicquot Brut (Oliver's; $358). For an additional $100, the bottle comes in an orange-insulated costume. This top champagne house was one of the first companies in the world to register its trademark colour, which is described as 'egg yolk'. Eggs have long played a role in Halloween celebrations in the United States; tossing them at moving vehicles is a popular prank at this time of year.
Follow your bottle of bubbly with the bright tangerine-coloured label of Sacred Hill Chardonnay, from Marlborough, New Zealand (Oliver's; $215). Perched just above the words 'barrel fermented' is a logo that looks suspiciously like a witch in a black cloak. The strikingly labelled Toar (Oliver's; $239) offers a knee-quaking option with its fiery orange label bringing to mind the heat of hell. And in that regard, Dievole Renascimento (Devil's Rebirth) from Tuscany (Ponti Wines; $200) is a devilishly fitting bottle to open at midnight. Satan can also be found on the label of Chile's Casillero Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon (ParknShop; $125). Here, he seems to be an organised fellow; translated, casillero diablo means the devil's cellar or the devil's filing cabinet. According to family legend, the winery's founder hid his special wines in the 'devil's cellar' to discourage unauthorised sampling.
If your trick-or-treat haul lacks sweet candy corn, open a bottle of Quady's Orange Muscat, California (Oliver's; $138). This dessert wine is a zingy blend of lime, orange peel, orange marmalade, quince and apricot jam. Phantoms, goblins and skeletons might leave you with nightmares, so end the evening with the reassuring Zorro-like silhouette on the label of Sandeman, Oloroso Rich Cream Sherry (Oliver's; $149). This after-dinner drink is laden with nutty walnut flavours and its high alcohol content gives it a warm, spicy palate.
While Halloween is primarily associated with the dark underworld and wandering spirits, it is also a celebration of autumn. Scarecrows, dried cornstalks and plump orange pumpkins are often arranged on porches and front yards alongside witches and giant spiders.
