What Wine Should You Serve at a Halloween Party
By Marie Gorbenko Published October 2021
There’s nothing like a good party to get us in the spooky season spirit. From costume contests to the monster mash, enjoying All Hallows Eve with a roaring good celebration is one of our favorite ghostly holiday traditions. But while the party itself may be fiendishly fun, the planning can sometimes stop us in our tracks when it comes to ensuring that all aspects of the entertainment are taken care of. Cool costumes, dastardly decorations, frighteningly fabulous finger foods—all are crucial ingredients for chilling entertaining…but what of the libations?
We’ve already shared some cocktail tricks and treats to excite your ghoulish guests; now let’s talk wine. Fellow Halloween lovers, have no fear (at least when it comes to vino!), we’ve rounded up some of our top tips for selecting and serving wines at your next creeptastic party, alongside several themed wine recommendations for a scary good time for all!
How much wine should I buy for a party?
Our recommended rule of thumb: buy one bottle of wine per person.
This guideline will give a good bottle amount to buy; however, it’s always a wise idea to purchase one extra bottle of each varietal to have on hand, since running out of wine in the middle of a party would be a most unwelcome terror. Any unopened, leftover wine can be saved for another occasion or easily returned to ABC, provided that it hasn’t been chilled.
Wicked Wine Recommendation #1:
Arachnid Cabernet Sauvignon
What haunted house doesn’t come complete with spider webs? This food-friendly and fruit forward red is the perfect classic option put the creepy back in crawly with its eerie yet chic spider focused label.
Wicked Wine Recommendation #2:
Spellbound Chardonnay
With notes of vanilla and crème brûlée mingling with tropical fruit flavors, this delicious white will have your guests enchanted in more ways than one, thanks to its beautiful art nouveau inspired moon phase imagery. Cheers to bringing a little magic to the table.
What types of wine should I buy?
Just to be safe, most people go with both a red and white option. If you’re only choosing one bottle for each type, we recommend going with a full-bodied red and a dry crisp white, since these typically pair best with food. It’s always fun to get creative with Halloween food and wine pairings—try a minimal prep cheese eyeball recipe for a devilish wine and cheddar cheese option.
Wicked Wine Recommendation #3:
7 Deadly Zins
Possessing a medium body with notes of pepper and black cherry, this spicy zinfandel’s logo can’t make up its mind as to whether it’s an angel or a demon. But one this is for sure: it’s sinfully good!
Wicked Wine Recommendation #4:
The Big Red Monster Cabernet Sauvignon
With its intense dragon-slaying imagery, this bold and brooding cab brings a big flavor of rich, dark fruits to the table. This is one monster that you won’t want to hide under the bed.
How much of each type of wine should I buy?
You know your crowd best but, when in doubt, we recommend following the 60/40 rule. For Halloween wines, that means purchasing 60% red wine and 40% white. More people tend to drink red over white during this season and the bloody color just happens to be extra fright friendly.
Wicked Wine Recommendation #5:
Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon
With sideshow weirdness and a sinister strong man frontlining the vintage-inspired label, this red’s raspberry and cocoa nib flavors carry a spice-laden finish that blends perfectly with both meaty foods and the darkest of mysterious chocolate confections. This wondrous wine is anything but a circus act.
Wicked Wine Recommendation #6:
Giorgi Costarosa Sangue di Giuda
Translated as “The Blood of Judas,” this semi-sparkling, semi-sweet red wine poses no danger of betraying those guests who prefer a sweetness to their wines while they feast on a candy-heavy snack table. A bloody good time is guaranteed for all with this sweet Italian treat.
What makes a bottle a Halloween wine?
While any tasty wine is sure to be enjoyed and appreciated by you and your guests, selecting some special scintillating contenders via decorative labels, names and themes are great ways to take the party wines on offer to the next level. Try choosing spine-chilling bottle imagery, going for a label with your overall party theme, and considering how foreign language wine names can menacingly translate into English.
Wicked Wine Recommendation #7:
Concha Y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon
Translated as “The Devil’s Locker,” the name of this immensely popular (and shockingly budget friendly!) cab was inspired by the legend of the winery founder’s roguishly-brilliant attempt to safeguard his treasured wines from thieving village locals. How? By deviously spreading horrific rumors that the devil had taken up residence in the cellar! Enjoy this fruity wine paired with a diabolic smirk of satisfaction. Happy Haunting!
Shop all your Halloween wine needs at abcfws.com.