Halloween is right around the corner. You’re either picking out costumes and preparing candies for kids or you’re like us, planning to stay in, have dinner and watch spooky movies with family and friends. Below you’ll find hearty and warm food and wine combinations to enliven your table on the 31st.
Pumpkin Hummus - Myattsfield 2015 Chardonnay
Photo by: le petit eats
For starters, dip into the creamy goodness of pumpkin hummus. Prepare a platter or board with your choice of fresh veggies, nuts, some good cheese, and crackers. It’s low maintenance and easy to prepare. It definitely doesn’t hurt that it also makes for a stunning centerpiece that is sure to wow your guests. The creaminess of this dish calls for a crisp dry white wine. Myattsfield 2015 Chardonnay marries nicely with any creamy dish, with aromas of nectarine, white peach and sweet oak, a palate of rounded texture with crisp grapefruit, passionfruit and citrus flavours. This Chardy has a dry and refreshing character that provides a delicate and enhancing accompaniment to the hummus.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi in Herbed White Wine Sauce - Volcanic Hills Pinot Gris
Photo by: purewow
The first course of the night is a light and hearty bowl of sweet potato gnocchi served with an equally light Pinot Gris. Bake potatoes until soft and tender before mashing and mixing them with ricotta, egg, flour and salt. Cut the resulting dough into bite-sized pieces and boil in salted water after a day in the fridge. Toss into an herbed white wine sauce and enjoy with cold acidic Pinot Gris. Its zingy citrus flavors and bright acidity will complement the dish and clean the palate between each bite. This combination is simple and clean, leaving you satisfied yet craving for the next meal to come.
Garlic Rosemary Steak - Tyrian Clouds Cabernet Sauvignon
Photo by: natashaskitchen
Keep the vampires away. Throw in some garlic deep in the night. The star of the meal is a pan-seared garlic rosemary steak, a sure hit among adults. Whether it’s a New York strip, sirloin, or ribeye, the richness of the meat and aroma from the spices will pair perfectly well with a bold and fruity red wine. Tyrian Clouds Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a cascade of red & black berries, red apple and subtle cocoa. It’s ripe tannins and acidity cuts the fattiness of the steak, creating a culinary experience slightly more refined than the food alone provides.
Cinnamon Apple Galette with Vanilla Ice Cream - McHenry Hohnen Rocky Road Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Photo by: broma
No meal is complete without dessert. Enjoy an indulgent serving of Cinnamon Apple Galette with a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream, a slightly more grown up spin to the candied apples we see this time of the year. Similar to pies and tarts but easier to prepare, this galette is a lazy person’s best friend. Not to get confused though, this dessert is as flaky, buttery, tangy and creamy as one would dream of. Serve this beauty with a cold glass of Semillon Sauvignon Blanc to cleanse the palate after a big dinner. The citrus notes of passionfruit and ruby grapefruit will play off the tart and sweetness of apples, leaving you wanting more.
Striking a balance between flavors is the key to a fulfilling meal but nothing is more enjoyable than sharing it with people that matter the most. Have a spooky and fun filled holiday to our wine connoisseurs at heart. Always remember, you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy a nice glass of wine.
