Highly anticipated by both young and old, Halloween is just around the corner, and the eerie atmosphere of celebration is already in the air. Costumes and candies for children; and why not, a bit of wine for the adults. That’s the invitation we extend below with these frightening pairings for Halloween.
Halloween is a unique night. Its origins trace back to ancient Celtic people, who celebrated the end of harvest and the beginning of the new year, also known as ‘Samhain,’ every October 31st. According to legend, on this day, the line between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam freely. To ward them off, masks and candles were used to help these souls find their way home.
Later, Catholicism transformed this date into ‘All Hallow’s Eve,’ which eventually led to the word ‘Halloween’ replacing the pagan festival. This tradition then traveled to the American continent, where it evolved into the modern celebration we know today.
Terrifying costumes, trick-or-treating, and, of course, the spiritual component that calls for remembering our departed loved ones are all part of the beliefs surrounding this celebration. Spooky, yet sweet, it’s a night that invites us to pair with sweet wines and create combinations that evoke fear. To avoid disappointments, we recommend 3 frightening pairings.
Pumpkin soup
Because on this date it is impossible to forget about pumpkins (in Ireland, where this tradition comes from, they are harvested in October) what better way to add them to the menu. Whether it is a silky and creamy Pumpkin Soup or a Pasta filled with pumpkin, due to its soft texture and characteristic sweetness, pumpkin works very well with full bodied white wines (also provided by oak) such as Amelia Chardonnay.
Crab cake
Another pairing to die for is a typical dish from the Chilean coast. This is a Crab Cake, also known as Chupe de Jaiba. Very creamy, with pronounced flavour and smooth on the palate, this dish with a marine character works very well with wines such as Casillero del Diablo Viognier. We recommend a Viognier as this wine variety also pairs wonderfully with pumpkin, so you could use the same wine for both pairings.
Basque burnt cheesecake
And finally, we couldn’t forget the big amount of sweets on this date. Whether you want to pair wines with chocolates like Snickers, or just a dessert, Halloween is the perfect occasion to open a Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Delicately fruity, with notes of papaya and honey on the palate, this sweet wine pairs very well with cheeses and also cheese-based desserts, such as the famous Basque Burnt Cheesecake, creamy on the inside and golden on the outside, made with cream cheese, egg, cream and sugar, it works very well with a sweet wine like this.
Now that you know what you can pair with your Halloween dinner, you can dress up and enjoy this entertaining occasion with whomever you like. Don’t forget that if you live in Chile, you can get your wines here.
