Cheers & Fears: Wine -Themed Halloween Party Tips from The Wine Ladies
With Halloween weekend just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to plan a spooktacular party! We are here to share some tricks and tips to help you throw an unforgettable wine-themed Halloween bash:
From spooky wine pairings to haunting décor ideas, we’ve got everything you need to create a frightfully fun get-together this weekend.
Wine Tasting: Set up a tasting station with a selection of wines paired with spooky snacks. A great way to treat wine lovers!
Spooky Bottle Décor: Dress up your wine bottles and glassware with Halloween-themed designs—think dark hues and eerie images.
Wine Cocktails: For those less into pure wine, offer fun cocktails. Try red wine mixed with ginger ale, frozen grapes, and a strawberry garnish.
Spooky Wine Bar: Set the mood with dim lighting and a haunted wine bar look. Stick to black, red, and white for the perfect look.
Horror Movie Finale: End the night with a cult horror movie screening. Imagine sipping wine while watching a classic thriller in a dimly lit room.
Wine Suggestions: Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec are great choices for your Halloween bash!
So grab your glasses, gather your ghouls, and get ready to sip, scare, and share some spooky fun! Wishing you a fang-tastic Halloween filled with wine, wicked laughs, and maybe even a boo-zy ghost or two. Cheers to a hauntingly good time! 🍷👻 Happy Hallo-wine!
Family, Food, and Thanksgiving Wine: Celebrating Together.
Georgia
As Thanksgiving approaches, (October 14th, 2024) it’s the perfect time to reflect on the warmth of family, the joy of gathering, and of course, the food and wine that make the holiday so special. This time of year, the table is filled with rich flavors that highlight the season, and selecting the right wine can elevate your Thanksgiving feast to something truly memorable.
Georgia and Susanne
The Wine Ladies
Pairing Wine with Thanksgiving Dinner
The star of the meal is often turkey, which, being a mild protein, pairs well with a variety of wines. But the real challenge comes with the diverse sides: sweet potatoes, tart cranberries, savory stuffing—each brings its own flavors. Here are some wine-pairing tips to ensure your meal is as harmonious as your family gathering:
- Red Wines: Opt for lighter reds that won’t overpower the turkey or clash with the sides. Wines like Pinot Noir, Grenache, or Beaujolais offer fruit-forward flavors with soft tannins, making them perfect companions to the mix of dishes on your Thanksgiving table.
- White Wines: If white is more your style, consider something that balances the richness of the food without being too sharp or oaky. Riesling (dry or off-dry), Viognier, and Chenin Blanc all have the versatility to handle the variety of flavors that come with Thanksgiving.
- Sparkling Wines: Don’t forget about bubbly! Sparkling wine or Champagne can bring a fresh, celebratory touch to your meal. Its acidity and bubbles make it a great pairing for everything from turkey to stuffing to cranberry sauce.
Susanne
Discover Turkish Pizza Right Here In Burlington. Pizza Boat One True Turkish Delight.
Have u ever tried pizza Turkish style? Turkish pizza is made boat-shaped, thin-crusted with healthy toppings such as; marinated meats, sautéed, and oven-roasted veggies. Today I tried the Meat Lovers triple-threat pizza! Great way to spend an afternoon with owner and operator Yesim Erkus of Pizza Boat, a woman entrepreneur, and mega force!! Come by and try these delish Turkish Delights!
Pizza Boat
4490 Fairview Street, D111, Burlington, Ontario, L7L 5P9
What is Turkish Pizza?
One of Pizza Boat’s faves is the “Meat Lovers” Turkish Pizza which features three in one and includes a tasting of steak cubes and cheese, Turkish Pepperoni (sucuk ), and pulled beef, mixed with mushroom, potatoes, and cheese.
Lahmacun or Lahmajo is a flatbread topped with minced meat, minced vegetables, and herbs including onions, garlic, tomatoes, red peppers, and parsley, flavored with spices such as chili pepper and paprika, then baked.
About Fabulous Finds For Foodies
From basic thin-crust pizza to sumptuous seafood, a perfectly grilled t-bone, or a light summer salad. For a casual night on the town, or a sophisticated soiree. For the specialty wine bar with unique vinos to experience, or the latest hot spot for martinis and cocktails. We’ve got it all covered while exploring new restaurants, bars, specialty spots, and the latest in a culinary adventure!
Check here often for our latest discovery!
COMING UP NEXT!
A local new Syrian restaurant…Have you tried Kibbeh. Syria’s National Dish.
An Evening with Luca Speri – Alioli Ristorante – The Wine Ladies – May 13th, 2015
I love bison meat but don’t know which wine pairs with it. Can you help? Ask The Wine Ladies
DEAR THE WINE LADIES,
I would love to surprise my husband with a fabulous homemade dinner made with one of his favourite meats bison. I am not too familiar with this meat. Leaning toward a ribeye and wondered if you have any suggestions on which wines might pair well. Any ideas on how best to prepare and perhaps even source these meats? I live in a rural area so there’s not too much availability in my neck of the woods.
– JACQUELINE
DEAR JACQUELINE,
We too are fans of the various meat alternatives such as bison, becoming increasingly more popular in restaurants and more available in butcher shops. Bison (often used interchangeably with buffalo meat) is known to be leaner and less dense than beef and is widely accepted as one of the tastiest and healthiest all-natural alternatives to the traditional meats.
When it comes to wine pairing, this meat has considerably less fat than beef, wines with less tannin will make for a better match. WHAT IS TANNIN? Tannins come from the skins, stems, and seeds of the grapes. As well as from the oak barrels the wine may have been aged in. That dry sensation you feel in your mouth when drinking a red wine is due to the tannin in the wine. The more tannic the wine, the more you will pucker up and feel the sensation.
The reason the level of tannins are relevant when it comes to pairing red wines and meat is that tannins cut through the fat of the meat. If one is enjoying a fattier cut, such as a juicy fatty rib eye steak, opt for a big Napa Cabernet for example. As bison is a high protein, lower fat alternative, a better choice would be a red wine with softer tannins such as a Pinot Noir, Malbec, a softer Syrah or perhaps a Tuscan Sangiovese.
As far as availability goes, upon a little investigative work, we learned of a company based in Montreal that markets high quality bison. The bison is raised without the use of any chemicals, hormones or steroids. Norfolk Bison ships across Canada and offer a wide range of wild game products. There is also one recipe we would like to share with you called the “Double Bison Sirloin; Michael Jordan’s style” that includes a touch of truffle oil and would pair beautifully with a silky Pinot Noir.
For more information, visit northforkbison.com.
Grilled Wild Boar Steaks Recipe
Wishing A Happy International Women’s Day From The Wine Ladies
Today, March 8th we are celebrating International Women’s Day 2023. International Women’s Day was officially launched in 1911. As a result, 112 years later IWD is celebrated around the world. And therefore,1000’s events take place honoring women everywhere for their various achievements.
We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of extraordinary women from all walks of life, whether from the wine and food industry to the world of music, fashion, sports, politics, business, and more.
Here are a few of the extraordinary women we have been blessed to meet. Enjoy!
Interview with Shirley Douglas Actress, Activist and Canadian icon.The Wine Ladies.