October Wines 2019

Wines to try for October 2019!

“THE SPOOKY COLLECTION”

One of my favorite past-times at work is looking for unique artwork on labels. When stocking some wines a few weeks ago, I figured it would be fun to find monthly choices to try that go with the season! I have always had an obsession with Halloween and all things horror themed, so this selection was particularly special.

Here are my wine must-trys for the month of October!

Urlo 2013
Diablo 2017
The Butcher 2013

Urlo “Scream” 2013 Red Blend

Urlo is an easy, friendly drink and SUPER affordable around the $15 mark.

Red Blend from Tuscany, Italy

As a fan of dry Italian reds, I was excited to try this when I was told to make a shelf-talker for it the other day. I thought the whole focus on the “scream” was intriguing between the literal definition of Urlo on the back lable to the badass frequency waves on the front label artwork. Urlo will scream for you to drink it.

The blend works so pleasantly and is nicely balanced. Prunes stood out to me the most with black cherry being second, but the vanilla offsets it nicely. A hint of smoke and a bit of tobacco are on the finish. The first time I drank this, I was eating a grilled ham and cheese sandwich (I know, not ideal), but the dominant prunes actually went pretty well with the meal, almost like jam or jelly! Planning on finishing the bottle off with a meat and cheese tray to pair.

Winemaker Notes: “Deep ruby red with purpleish overtones, this wine has intense aromas of black cherry, prunes, and vanilla with notes of mint and Modenese Balsamic. Fruity and fragrant, Urlo is a full-bodied wine with flavors of prunes, cherries, blackberries, and blueberries. A long and persistent finish features silky tannins and lingering vanilla notes.”

Blend: 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 25% Syrah, 15% Sangiovese, 5% Alicante, 5% Petit Verdot

Diablo Dark Red 2017

Diablo was a very interesting and surprisingly good blend! Can be found around $15-20.

Red Blend from Maule Valley, Chile

The Diablo was my first pick of the three. Aged for 6 months, 6 weeks, and 6 days. Wanna take your chances at sipping this one!? Yes. Yes you should.

An interesting blend. I definitely got cherry immediately upon pouring the glass, and same deal when tasting it as well. There’s blackberry to taste as well pairing nicely with vanilla, and a decent amount of oak without being overhwhelming. A very smooth blend that is juicy but still a tad on the dry side. Very curious to try this with Peruvian lomo saltado, or even barbecue in the future.

I wonder how it’ll taste 6 months, 6 weeks, and 6 days from now…

Winemaker Notes: “This is a pact with the extraordinary, allow yourself to be tempted and you will not regret it. Grapes have been ripened to perfection, luscious black fruit notes, generous, mouth-filling, dark and mysterious…seduced by Diablo.”

Blend: Malbec, Syrah

The Butcher 2013

The Butcher was my favorite of the three! Any fans of spice can find this between $40-50.

Blaufränkisch from Burgenland, Austria

Who could ignore the badass label!? What person WOULDN’T want to drink the psychopathic pig butcher shown? I present to you The Butcher!

BOLD dark fruits and spice on the nose upon opening the bottle! Luscious cherries, blackberries, plums, pepper and CINNAMON make for a warm but juicy sip! This Austrian Blaufränkisch is definitely tannic, with slight leather drying it up nicely in the end. I wasn’t expecting the rich fruits to be so delicately balanced. Perfect for a cool October night!

Blaufrankisch are normally recommended to pair with lighter meats, fish, or shellfish. The wine reviews recommended beef and poultry. Shellfish worked though! The spice paired nicely with some simple shrimp in olive oil. I ended up pairing this with some quinoa atalamada, rice (because Peruvians eat everything with rice), and crispy baked chicken with panko breading and my own seasoning mix and a warm kick (this recipe may be posted in the near future).

Winemaker Notes: Not found, but here is a description found from Wine Enthusiast Magazine below…

“Wonderfully aromatic fruit rises from the glass: blueberry with cinnamon and violet overtones, hints of plum and pepper and a pervasive elderberry note. This is a wonderfully elegant medium-bodied wine with a distinct but unobtrusive structure that lets the fruit speak clearly and honestly. Fresh and elegant now, it’s sure to develop and evolve. Drink now–2025.” – Anne Krebiehl MW (https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/schwarz-wein-2013-the-butcher-blaufrankisch-burgenland/)