October 31st 2024.
When it comes to novelty red wines, there's always a concern that they won't live up to expectations. As someone who thrives on all things scary and spooky, it's no surprise that I'm drawn to these unique and limited-edition Halloween products. However, as an entertainment writer and TV personality, I've seen my fair share of eyebrow-raising things behind the scenes, and nothing quite compares to the terror of seeing a press release with the word "spooktacular" in the title.
Even beloved characters like Colin the Caterpillar aren't immune to the Halloween treatment, with a "spinetingling" and "creepy" makeover complete with red buttercream when you slice into him. Last year, they even mummified poor Colin, which must have been awkward for his partner, Connie. I mean, who wants to be wrapped up like a mummy in front of their significant other? It's just not a good look.
Thankfully, the wine world doesn't subject us to these novelty treatments too often. And when they do, you know the research and development team has put some creative thought and budget behind it. But the question remains, just how "Halloweeny" can a wine get? Well, aside from spooky labels, some wines naturally have a "bloody" taste to them, with notes of iron and iodine. Maybe "meaty," "gamey," or "savoury" are better descriptors, as you'll find in Syrah and Mourvèdre from the Rhône Valley.
Speaking of "gamey," aged Pinot Noir takes on a unique aroma that's been compared to "a brace of pheasants hanging in the pantry." Trust me, it's better than it sounds. And while we're on the topic of unconventional wine regions, let's not forget about Transylvania in Romania, where surprisingly excellent wines are being produced. And yes, they do play up the Dracula theme in their gift shops, but can you blame them? It's all in good fun.
But perhaps the most haunting wine experience I've come across is 19 Crimes' stunt from last year. They actually buried 100 bottles of red wine in a casket six feet underground in a Victorian cemetery, with a priest present for the "unearthing." And to make it even spookier, an exorcist claims that the wine may still be haunted. Yikes! I may need to rethink keeping that bottle at home.
For those determined to buy a wine with a creepy theme, here are a few options to consider. First up, we have Reprobates Ghouliburra Red from Australia, available at Aldi for only £4.99. It's a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, and I actually prefer it to the similar 19 Crimes. Plus, it has a limited-edition glow in the dark label perfect for Halloween parties.
Speaking of 19 Crimes, their Red Wine from Australia is also a popular choice, priced at £7.50 at Tesco. This wine is known for its sweet, plush fruit flavors with hints of mocha and chocolate. And while there were no cemeteries involved in the production of this wine, they did release a special Halloween edition with a glow-in-the-dark label. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can also try their 19 Crimes The Uprising, aged for 30 days in rum barrels and featuring an unusual grape called Durif.
For a richer and more mellow option, check out RedHeads Night of the Living Red from Australia, available at Laithwaites for £9.99. This unique blend of Durif, old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Nacional (the grape used in port) has been aged in a Solera system, resulting in a smooth and flavorful wine with a cleverly punny name.
And for fans of the legendary rock band Iron Maiden, their collaboration with a Portuguese winery has produced the Iron Maiden Darkest Red, priced at £13 and available at Ocado. Don't be fooled by the label; this wine is far from dark and terrifying. In fact, it's quite smooth and velvety, with hints of chocolate and damson fruit.
Last but not least, we have The Waxed Bat from Argentina, available at Laithwaites for £13.99. This unique wine blends three grapes - Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bonarda - to create a one-of-a-kind drinking experience. And with a label featuring a waxed bat, it's the perfect choice for a Halloween party.
When it comes to novelty red wines, they often get a bad rap. But, as someone who loves all things scary and spooky, I can confidently say that they don't have to suck. As an entertainment writer and TV personality, I live for the thrill of the unknown and love to share it with my readers and viewers.
But let's be real, the scariest thing in the world is when companies combine Halloween and limited-edition products with cringy press releases full of cheesy puns. You know who you are. While it may be more cringy than scary, it still gives me chills in all the wrong ways.
Even beloved characters like Colin the Caterpillar aren't immune to the Halloween treatment, with a "spinetingling" and "creepy" makeover that includes red-colored buttercream oozing out when you cut into him. Last year, they even mummified him, which must have been awkward for his partner Connie. I mean, no one wants to be wrapped up like a mummy in front of their significant other, right?
Thankfully, the wine world doesn't fall into the trap of novelty products too often, as it's not as lucrative as other industries. So when it does happen, you know the research and development team have really put their creativity to the test and there's some serious budget behind it.
But what makes a wine truly "Halloweeny"? Well, aside from spooky labels, some wines naturally have a "bloody" taste to them, with hints of iron and iodine. Although "meaty," "gamey," or "savoury" may be more appealing descriptors, these flavors can be found in Syrah and Mourvèdre from the Rhône Valley. And speaking of "gamey," aged Pinot Noir has been known to take on a "brace of pheasants hanging in the pantry" kind of aroma. Trust me, it's better than it sounds.
Believe it or not, there are even decent wines being made in Transylvania, Romania. And let me tell you, they fully embrace the Dracula theme in their gift shops over there. And let's not forget the infamous 19 Crimes, who last year buried 100 bottles of red wine in a casket six feet under in a Victorian cemetery, with a priest present to "exorcise" the wine. And according to an exorcist, the wine may still be haunted, which is a bit concerning because I still have a bottle at home. Maybe I should have stuck to spirits.
But if you're determined to buy a wine with a creepy theme, here are some good, bad, and downright scary options for you to consider.
First up, we have Reprobates Ghouliburra Red from Australia, which can be found at Aldi for only £4.99. It's the perfect choice for a Halloween party without breaking the bank. Made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, this South Australian wine is surprisingly delicious and even comes with a glow-in-the-dark label for that extra spooky touch.
Next, we have the infamous 19 Crimes Red Wine, also from Australia, which can be found at Tesco for £7.50. We all know its signature sweet, plush fruit flavors with hints of mocha and chocolate. And while I'm sure no cemeteries or caskets were involved in the making of this wine, it does have a limited-edition glow-in-the-dark label for the Halloween season. And if that's not enough, there's also 19 Crimes The Uprising, which is aged in rum barrels and features the unique grape Durif, also known as Petite Syrah.
For a more expensive option, check out RedHeads Night of the Living Red from Laithwaites for £9.99. Made in Barossa, Australia, this wine is a blend of Durif, old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Nacional, a Portuguese grape typically used in port wine. What makes this wine truly unique is that the Touriga has been aged using the Solera system, similar to how they age Sherry. The result is a rich and mellow wine with a fun name inspired by dad jokes.
And of course, we can't forget about Iron Maiden Darkest Red from Portugal, available at Ocado for £13. This wine may have a label that brings to mind images of biting the heads off live bats, but the wine inside is far from that. It's a smooth and velvety blend with notes of chocolate and damsons, with a touch of spicy French oak. And it's a collaboration with the band Iron Maiden, so you know it's got some serious rock and roll vibes.
Last but not least, we have The Waxed Bat from Argentina, available at Laithwaites for £13.99. This wine is a unique blend of three grapes and is perfect for those who love a bit of variety. So whether you're a fan of spooky labels, Halloween puns, or just want to try something new, there's a novelty red wine out there for you that doesn't suck.
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