Halloween drinks
In the spirit of all things spooky, we've pulled together a mix of fitting drinks to help keep the ghouls at bay this Halloween.
FROM LEFT:
2012 Some Young Punks Monsters, Monsters Attack! Riesling, Clare Valley, (A$22)
Hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, Monsters, Monsters Attack! is a lovely off-dry riesling from the cheeky people at Some Young Punks made using stainless steel vats and indigenous yeast fermentation.
Crystal Head Vodka, (A$75/700ml)
This vodka is quadruple-distilled through semi-precious crystals that employs spring water from Newfoundland. Crystal Head Vodka is the project of well-known actor Dan Aykroyd and colleague, fine artist, John Alexander. Both are avid researchers into the phenomenon that is the 5,000 to 35,000 year old Crystal Heads that have been found strewn around the globe from Tibet to the USA. We'll be drinking this unadorned on the rocks. (Dan Murphy's)
Espolón Tequila Blanco, (A$46/750ml)
Made from 100 per cent pure agave, Espolón Blanco is crafted at the acclaimed San Nicolas distillery in the Los Altos region of Jalisco. It is medium- to full-bodied with rich roasted agave, tropical fruit flavours with a long, spicy finish. (Dan Murphy's)
Espolón Tequila Reposado, (A$49/750ml)
Also made from 100 per cent pure agave, Espolón Reposado is a bold full-bodied tequila with vanilla and brown spice flavours and a long, spicy finish. (Dan Murphy's)
2011 Holgate Brewhouse Beelzebub's Jewels Belgian-Style Quadruple Ale, (A$75/750ml)
A barrel-aged Belgian-style Quadrupel, the 2011 release of Beelzebub's Jewels weighs in at a devilish 12 per cent alcohol. The warming effects of this strong beer are followed by a bold and assertive character derived from French oak barrels still carrying a trace of fine Curly Flat Pinot Noir from the Macedon Ranges. (The Oak Barrel Sydney - 02 9264 3022)
Boogoop Buckwheat Ale, (A$28/750ml)
A collaboration between Danish brewers Mikkeller and Three Floyds Brewing Co from the USA, this hoppy brew with notes of grapefruit holds 10.4 per cent alcohol. (The Oak Barrel Sydney - 02 9264 3022)
2007 d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz, McLaren Vale, (A$65)
Old, extremely low-yielding McLaren Vale vines are responsible for d'Arenberg's Dead Arm Shiraz - a wine of enormous power, intensity and real complexity. An absolute must for any serious wine cellar.
WORDS SOPHIE MCCOMAS
This article was published in October 2012.