Halloween is around the corner!!!

Not sure if you know that the origin of Halloween dates back some 2000 years ago as a tradition of the Celtics who lived in areas of todays’ Ireland, the UK and northern France. November 1 was their new year as they would have just finished harvesting. On the night before (October 31) they would celebrate Samhain (pronounced sow-in) when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to Earth. People gathered, wore costumes made of animal heads and skins, set bonfires and burned crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. Eventually the October 31 event was called “All Hallows (i.e. all saints/ghosts) Eve” which was further changed to Halloween.

Fast forward to the second half of the 19th century, the US was flooded with immigrants, many from Ireland during the Potato Famine, and they brought the Halloween to popularity for the country. It also gradually lost it superstitious overtone and became more a festival focused on food, games, costumes and partying. Today, American spent more than US$8 billion during Halloween, making it commercially the second biggest festival just after Christmas.

So what’s your plan for Halloween this year? With COVID-19, there may be some uncertainties for big parties. But that should not stop us to uncork a bottle or two to celebrate with family or our closest friends. And we could recommend you to consider the following:

2018 Antinori Castello della Sala Cervaro della Sala (WA96) at $440/bottle – Proprietary blend with Chardonnay as the main grape varietal from this famous Italian producer, the wine is about finesse rather that out-and-out body, with flavours of preserved lemon, crisp pear and crushed minerals.

2015 Domaine Albert Boxler Gewurztraminer Grand Cru (WA95) at $480/bottle – You don’t always find a Grand Cru from Alsace in the market. This is rich and intense white, with the sweetness well balanced by freshness, fine tannin and structure.

2005 Lucia (RP95) at $420/bottle – From a boutique St-Emilion (Bordeaux) producer making only around 900 cases a year, this is a full-bodied wine offering a beautiful and intense bouquet of black currant liqueur, expresso and a touch of spice.

2006 Pichon Lalande (RP95) at $1,050/bottle – This famous and popular Bordeaux estate needs no introduction, its wines rich without being heavy while always velvety and sexy. This vintage also sounds like a steal at just over a thousand dollars.

2006 Mastroberardino Taurasi Ridici (WA95) at $320/bottle – From Campania of Italy, this is a big and explosive wine. It hits your palate with masses of blueberries, black berries, flowers and spices. The fruits continue to build towards an exotic, concentrated finish.

2015 Grattamacco Superiore (WA97) at $540/bottle – This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese making a bold and absolutely stunning wine, with overlapping melodies of dark fruit, tobacco and spice. All those so called Super Tuscans should also feel embarrassed when they see the Grattamacco delivering such value.

2012 Dominus Napanook (JS95) at $480/bottle – Excellent second wine of this prestigious Napa producer having the same owner as Petrus…also a nice entry to US wines for those who are interested. It offers beautiful ripe black fruits and a hint of cigar/tobacco, with a touch of roasted herbs to finish.

We would encourage you to browse our website www.vinopolis.com.hk to view our full wine list. Purchases can be made through this online platform, by sending us an e-mail or just WhatsApp to 9195-7383. Thank you for reading and enjoy Halloween!!!