Halloween Wines

Doesn't that look scary to you ? Yes, Halloween is approaching and it is important  to know what Halloween wines are available and what to buy. So, we have a list of fun and affordable wines that you can choose from to better enjoy your Halloween from 12most.com  wicked wines.

1. Treat

Trick and Treat are made exclusively for Cost Plus World Market every year. This 2010 California White Table Wine is cellared & bottled by Treat Cellars, Healdsburg, CA. According to the bottle “It’s always a Treat to serve this haunting wine at a midnight picnic or just visiting with ghoulies, goblins or witches. This wine is spook-tacular by itself served chilled”. At only $7.99, I picked up a bottle to at least have as decoration for my Halloween party.

2. Elk Creek Vineyards Ghostly White Chardonnay

According to Elk Creek, 9 out of 10 Ghosts serve Ghostly White Chardonnay at their Halloween Parties. I’ve never tried wine from Kentucky, but this is definitely a cool bottle to have during the Halloween season!

3. Treat

Again, Trick and Treat are made exclusively for Cost Plus World Market every year. This 2010 California White Table Wine is cellared & bottled by Treat Cellars, Healdsburg, CA. According to the bottle “It’s always a Treat to serve this haunting wine at a midnight picnic or just visiting with ghoulies, goblins or witches. This wine is spook-tacular by itself served chilled”. At only $7.99, I picked up a bottle to at least have as decoration for my Halloween party.

4. Trueblood Pinot Noir

I love that Trueblood is the last name of the family that owns this winery (and her first name is Hope). This artisan style Pinot Noir comes from Santa Maria Valley and is aged in French oak for 23 months before bottling. The wine is elegant, rich and concentrated with blackberry, plum and dark cherry flavors.

5. The Velvet Devil Merlot

A Washington State Merlot brought to us by Charles Smith Wines. Another great winemaker note: “PURE VELVET! Milk Chocolate, wild blackberry, baking spice, rose oil…beautifully perfumed Washington in a glass…Velvet Devil? HELL YEAH!” Their King Coal also gets an honorable mention for Halloween wines.

6. Vampire Merlot

This creepy bottle is the perfect accompaniment to any Halloween party, and let’s be serious… the Vampire craze is still going strong. This wine comes from North Coast, California and is smooth and medium-bodied with black cherry aroma, and hints of herbal spices. It pairs well with chicken, beef, lamb, game and pasta with tomato-based sauces.

7. Elk Creek Vineyards Bone Dry Red Cabernet

Another wine from Kentucky, Bone Dry Red is aged in small oak barrels and is said to have ripe cherry, red berry, chocolate and hints of spice.

8. Chateau du Vampire Cabernet

I love the winemakers note on this one: “A few of you reading this back label might be wondering, how is it that vampires have managed to live in Sunny California, grow grapes, and somehow still survive? You should know that vampire winemakers have learned much over the years. We have learned so much that many of us have now become Daywalkers! Although it is true that we prefer nightlife, what better way to enjoy it than with a glass of this delicious Cabernet.”

9. 7 Deadly Zins

A blend of Zinfandel, Petitie Sirah and Petit Verdot from Lodi, this wine is loaded with berry fruit, pepper, spice, and earth characteristics. The wide availability of this wine makes it easy to pick up for Halloween festivities.

10. Dracula Zinfandel

Dracula Zinfandel is another wine from Vampire Vineyards, and it originates from Paso Robles, CA. This Zin is big, rich and expressive with deep plum flavors that lead to cracked pepper & spices, with a refined textures and concentration.

11. Reserve POIZIN

I prefer the Reserve to the plain old POIZIN because of the cool casket included. Apparently, this Zinfandel from Sonoma County is “the wine to die for”.

12. Ed Hardy Sangria

I had no idea Ed Hardy made wine, but this sangria would serve as a phenomenal centerpiece for any Halloween party. Label aside, this wine is “bursting with the sun drenched flavors of hot Spanish summer”

This diverse list should give you ideas for choosing that special spooky Halloween wine. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!

Joseph A Jones & The WellLife Team

Fall Wines

Fall is right around the corner. It is amazing that it is now approaching September. Fall, a very special time of year when the weather gets colder and leaves start to turn. With this changing season, it is imperative as the seasons change so does your wine selection. So, we found fall wines that you can choose to match this time of year.

Light and bright:

2009 Mark West Pinot Noir, California, $12
It’s tough to make Pinot Noir that falls into the well-priced category, but Mark West has done it. With red berry zip and a hint of earthy aromas, it’s a Pinot that will please.

2009 Arrogant Frog “Lily Pad Noir” Pinot Noir, Languedoc, France, $10
 A beret-clad frog with a jaunty grin adorns the label of this wine that offers a bit more weight than other affordable Pinots. Juicy and easy-drinking.
 
 2009 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages, France, $12One of best vintages for Beaujolais in recent history has given this wine depth and character. Made with Gamay grapes, there’s an appealing lightness and succulence.

2009 Rioja Vega, Rioja, Spain, $12Slide into fall with this lovely red. Hailing from the classic Spanish region, Rioja, it’s made from the Tempranillo variety and is vibrant and elegant.
2009 Mandolin Syrah, Central Coast, California, $10A Syrah for Pinot drinkers, this lighter, brighter style is one to pop with pork or even with fleshy fish.


2008 Finca Constancia “Altozano” Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Spain, $10A Tempranillo and Syrah blend that captures the racy side of red. Red berry fruit notes are topped off with a hit of peppery spice on the finish.

2009 Banfi Chianti Classico, Italy, $12It’s normally a challenge to find simple Chianti that fits the $12 price point, much less one from the highly-regarded Chianti Classico zone, but Banfi has managed to produce a structured yet sleek version at a surprising price.

Smooth and supple:

2009 Torres “Sangre de Toro” Catalunya, Spain, $10A deliciously silky red that over-delivers quality for the price. Made with Garnacha (Grenache) and Carinena in Spain’s northeastern corner. With crowd-pleasing freshness, you’ll want to stock up on this one.

2009 Kenwood “Vintage Red” California, $9Kenwood is a Sonoma winery known for top bottlings (like their Jack London label) that you may want to crack open on weekends, but the quaffable “Vintage Red” is a Zinfandel-based blend for weekday sipping.

2009 James Oatley “Tic Tok” Shiraz, Mudgee, Australia, $12The name is an ode to the family patriarch – a clockmaker and this is a red worth twice the price. From the cooler climate area of Mudgee, it’s a Shiraz with style.

2008 Waterbrook Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, $11Located in the hot spot of Washington, Walla Walla, Waterbrook crafts pricey reds, but this supple, sippable Merlot tucks in at a cool price.
2009 Cellar No 8 Red wine, California, $10A mélange of eight varieties including Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Grenache, this just may become your house red. Fruit-driven and juicy, it’s a happy-maker.

2009 Naked Earth red, South of France, $12Made with organically grown grapes, this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache is not overly serious but offers good drinking with burgers or pizza.

2009 Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $5 (500ml)A to-go wine that can slip in a purse or pocket, this eco-friendly mini-box holds three glasses of smooth Cabernet. It’s ideal for the beach, outdoor party, or just when you want a little glass without the glass.

Full-bodied and fleshy:

2009 Dancing Bull Zinfandel, California, $12With dark berry fruity flavors  underscored by a kick of smoky aromas, this hearty Zin is made for fall sipping. Try alongside a wood-fired pizza or last of the season BBQ ribs.

2009 Healdsburg Ranches Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast, California $12This Cab over-delivers in quality. It showcases intensity of fruit and mouthwatering vibrancy. Sure it will pair with a steak, but try roast chicken or grilled eggplant.

2008 Purple Cowboy “Trail Boss” Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California $12Named for some rodeo dudes who enjoyed vino and showed off their purple teeth, this plush red has power. The brand also supports the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” organization for breast cancer awareness.

2009 Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California $10Making wince 1883 Concannon ranks among California’s most historic producers. This affordable but still fairly complex Cab is the real deal.

2010 Bodega Elena de Mendoza Malbec, Argentina, $11Malbec is known for its saturated dark fruit character and this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s rich, it’s ripe yet balanced with a whack of freshness making it ideal to saddle up to the dinner table.
 
2009 Yarden Mount Hermon, Galilee, Isreal, $12Yes, this wine is kosher but it’s so much more. Made from Bordeaux varieties, it delivers complexity that belies the price. Lush but with an edge of tannic grip it’s one to pair with grilled meat dishes.

We give a big thanks for the Today program in compiling such a wonderful list of fall wines to choose from. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!

Joseph A Jones & The WellLife Team

Top 10 Holiday Wines

Holiday is upon us. Time for those wonderful meals and those special visits with loved ones and friends.In preparing for these festive occasions, choosing that perfect holiday wine for that holiday meal or gathering friends and family is a must. What are the best holiday wines to choose ? With the help from about.com, they give you a great list of wines to match any event you plan. By the way, these wines are all under $20.

1) Kendall Jackson Vinter's Reserve Chardonnay 2005  (Ca ) 
This Chardonnay is a delicious compilation of fruit and smoke, full-bodied and balanced. Apple, melon and pear dominate the palate and are well supported by a rich, buttery texture. Kendall-Jackson is known for consistent quality, good distribution, and holds a stellar reputation for producing wines that are reasonably priced.


2) Fetzer Valley Oaks German Reisling 2005 (Germany )
The Fetzer Valley Oaks German Riesling is an off-dry, low-alcohol Riesling sourced from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer and the Rheinhessen, two of Germany's prominent grape growing regions. This is an "every man's" white wine, in that it will behave beautifully with an assortment of flavors, spices and white meats. The flavor profile boasts abundant apple, pear and peach combinations with an enticing semi-sweet finish. Fetzer's Valley Oaks offers an authentic German Riesling, that is easy on the palate, easy on the wallet and is versatile enough to be featured at all holiday get togethers whether formal or informal.


3)St. Supery Sauvignon Napa Valley (Ca) 
Citrus fruits burst to the forefront with orange, lemon and lime defining the palate. This Sauvignon Blanc also boasts a refreshing spirit with lots of spunk - earth, slate and balanced acidity all move within the wine providing ample elegance, familiarity and vibrancy for a festive holiday gathering.


4) Eola Hills Pinot Gris 2005 (Or)
A terrific Pinot Gris for the price and the flavor! This one will catch your attention with the honeyed pears and crisp apple flavor, followed by a refreshing finish. Pair this one with your favorite hors d' oeuvres.

5) McManis Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Ca)
This is a Cab that will "wow" the most discerning guests, especially if you reveal the price paid/bottle! A deep garnet colored red wine with plenty of blackberry and cherry on the palate. You'll notice dominant tannin definition and even a bit of coffee on the finish. The perfect party wine!


6) Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (Ca) 
Named after a 47 pound Texas rooster from the early 1900s, this Pinot Noir offers an undistracted aroma of ripe berries and a hint of spice. The flavor profile consists largely of strawberries and raspberries, with very subtle tannins and light weight acidity. A pleasant, supple Pinot Noir with enough versatility to go with everything from hors d'oeuvres to the main dish and for just $9 a pop you don't have to risk much to give Rex Goliath a go!

7) Yellow Tail Shiraz (Aus)
Can we see "lotsa fruit?" There is a reason that the Yellow Tail brand has done so well in the U.S. and abroad, it comes down to making consistent, quality wines with great distribution and a perfect "party" wine price point. Not to mention that the Yellow Tail Shiraz has good berry fruit-forward flavor, with raspberries rising to the top of the palate and a decent finish. This is a red wine that guests will like whether they are "into" reds or not.

8) Dancing Bull 2003 Zinfandel (Ca) 
This black cherry packed Zin has a spice and warmth that will perk up any table full of holiday dishes, with a special affinity for red meats, boisterous tomato sauces, mushrooms and sausage. Definitely a wine that is made for good times!


9) Beringer's White Zinfandel 2005 (Ca) 
While most oenophiles detest the thought of owning, much less offering a "white zin" at their holiday get togethers, there will no doubt be a fair amount of guests that will drink it with gusto. So, that said, Beringers offers a nice white zinfandel option with good pricing to satisfy the party necessity.


10) Korbel Chamapagne Brut 
Whether your celebrating something specific or just need to have a bottle of bubbly on hand. This is a champagne stand by that is perfect for party goers, the price is right, the taste is good and many guests just elect to have a sip or two anyway.

We hope this helps you in choosing that special wine for the holidays.  If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback you can reach us by  email.

Thank you for visiting!

Joseph A Jones & The WellLife Team