October, the scariest month of the year, is here. Although Halloween is not an originally English holiday, both adults and children in the UK have taken to dressing up, wearing makeup, and partying with friends and family on 31 October. For a home celebration with your loved ones, we recommend some Italian wines that will help you get into the right mood!
The centerpiece of a Halloween dinner: the pumpkin
Pumpkins are central to Halloween decorations, but can also be made into delicious celebratory dishes! Having carved and emptied your pumpkin for decoration, use the pulp you have removed in some great recipes: in this way you can combine fun with an ethical choice to reduce waste. Sautéed with salt and oil, pumpkin seeds are an excellent snack. Meanwhile, the pulp can be made into a velvety risotto as a first course, or as a tasty side dish or appetizer: it can even be fried for amazing flavour!
Pumpkin can be paired with many excellent Italian labels, including reds, whites, and sparkling wines. The Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Nero Rosé DOCG "Cruasé" or the Prosecco DOCG di Cartizze, for example, are perfect for pumpkin dishes especially.
For those who prefer white wine to pair with pumpkin, we suggest the Lugana, Soave, and Traminer Aromatico Friuli DOC 2021. Characterized by aromaticity and freshness, these wines go well with the delicacy of pumpkin. What about reds? A structured but not too tannic wine will be fine too: a sparkling red Lambrusco or a Valpolicella DOC is perfect for accompanying pumpkin dishes! And those who have decided to face this scary evening with courage can try something new like the Gewürztraminer Orange Wine, which has pleasant surprises in store!
Trick or treat? Wine for the end of the meal
Once the main meal is over, all that remains is to end on a sweet note. What, then, are the best wines for accompanying Halloween desserts? There are several sweet wines that are excellent accompaniments to desserts such as cake or pumpkin tart. Dry and Extra Dry versions of Prosecco go very well with desserts, but a Moscato d'Asti is the wine you must absolutely try!
Perfect Italian wines for Halloween
Halloween night comes alive with themed events, many different disguises, and some really scary make-up! For those who dare to choose a wine with ancient and mysterious origins for Halloween, we have an inspiring label to recommend. The Sangue di Giuda dell'Oltrepò Pavese Dolce Frizzante 2021, literally Judas' Blood, is right on topic for the evening! With purple red hues, this wine is sweet and sparkling and can be tasted both during dinner and at the end of the meal. It can also be enjoyed alone, as a meditation wine.
For a perfect Halloween dinner, discover the Svinando selection: there is a perfect Italian wine for every dish and occasion!