Halloween has hit the big leagues of American holidays. USA Today reported last month that ghosts and goblins alike are expected to spend more on Halloween, costumes, candy, and décor than ever before. The National Retail Federation has predicted a whopping $9.1billion in 2017 on Halloween spending. Furthermore, Pam Goodfellow, principle analyst with Prosper Insights, told USA Today, Halloween spending will see “increases across all purchasing categories.” As kids enjoy dressing up as their favorite super heros, and teens enjoy the local haunted house, parents Do Not Forget the Wine!

Who says Halloween is for the young? Adults of all ages enjoy dressing up, parties, and haunted houses. We are big fans of Halloween in our house. Sadly, now that we are empty nesters this year will not be same. No one to take trick-or-treating, and with all my travels no parties either. But that does not mean we will miss out on all the Halloween fun! As we pass out candy to the neighborhood ghosts, super heros, rock stars, and star athletes, we will be enjoying some delicious wine. And for those of you who are still on trick-or-treating duty grab your favorite Halloween wine glass or red solo cup for a great night of fun and wine.

It is hard to sit down to a good meal on Halloween. Trick-or-treating starts at dusk and typically goes a few hours. You need a food that is easy to eat in spurts, portable, and delicious. Our favorite Halloween night meal to pair with delicious wine is pizza! Of course, take out is the easiest way to enjoy pizza. But more often lately I enjoy making my own. You can make your own dough or purchase it from your local grocer, select any toppings you like, bake and enjoy.

Here is my Halloween wine and pizza recommendation:

2013 Flora Springs Ghost Winery Red Wine Napa Valley USA ($44): 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 17% Syrah, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc; deep opaque ruby with purple hues in the glass; a pronounced array of inviting aromas include ripe and slightly stewed blackberries, plums, cherries, and raspberries, cassis, licorice, savory herbal notes, eucalyptus, cocoa, leather, and a hint of vanilla; lush, rich and robust on the palate, energetic with pronounced grippy tannins and medium+ acidity, layers of flavors and complexities as the wine continues to evolve throughout the course of the bottle, full body, brooding, long earthy finish; recommend decanting, at 4 years old this wine could cellar for another decade; all grapes sourced from Napa Valley; aged 20 months in new and seasoned French (80%) and American (20%) barrels. This wine also comes in two other fun labels; furthermore, Flora Springs has several more Halloween themed wines to add to your fun. Click here to purchase direct from winery, also widely distributed nationwide.

Each year we create a unique Halloween-themed wine to celebrate our century old “ghost winery” in St. Helena. We have always suspected that this historic stone cellar, built in 1885 and carefully renovated by Flora and Jerry Komes in 1977, may have more than a few ghosts lingering within its storied walls. The exclusive wines we make for our Ghost Winery series feature labels designed by the wildly creative Virginia-based artist Wes Freed, best known for his Drive-By Truckers CD cover art.

2016 Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley Chile ($11): deep garnet with ruby hues; pronounced aromas of baked fruits including cherries, blackberries, plums, and cranberries, baking spice, candied violets, red licorice, chocolate, and dusty earth; rustic and rich on the palate, layers of earthiness envelops the palate, full body, medium+ acidity and tannins that are well integrated, hard to imagine this wine is only $11, it is well structured and never disappoints; aged in oak barrels; widely available; a best buy for the price.

According to legend, sometime in the 1880s Don Melchor de Concha y Toro, an eminent Chilean statesman and wine producer, discovered that his most treasured wines had been pilfered from the “casillero” (cellar) beneath his ancestral home. To discourage further theft, the enterprising Don spread a rumor that his deepest, darkest cellars were haunted by the devil. Thus a legend was born, with Casillero del Diablo, today Chile’s best-selling wines worldwide and the original Concha y Toro family estate, complete with Devil’s Cellar, now Chile’s number one tourist attraction, bar none.

I paired these wines with homemade pizza topped with pesto we bought in Cinque Terre, heirloom tomatoes, meatballs, and mozzarella cheese.

Have a fun, happy, and safe Halloween!

*Wines are media samples, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Song Selection: Growing up in the 80’s this was always a classic Halloween song.

Get your own Halloween wine and let me know what song you pair with it. Cheers!