Celebrate the Season with a Cabernet from The Devil’s Cellar

Halloween isn’t just for kids! It now ranks as America’s all-time favorite holiday. And 2016 proved to be the most celebrated Halloween ever – more than 171 million Americans (up 14 million from 2015) took part in the festivities. Of those, 34% hosted a Halloween party. Casillero del Diablo is promoting its Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon as the "Official Wine for Halloween" – and why not? With a name like The Devil’s Cellar, this Cab promises to entice every ghoulie and guy at the party.

Underground Cave

But a good ghost story is always appreciated this time of year and Casillero del Diablo comes through. Legend has it that when vineyard owner Don Melchor de Concha y Toro discovered his wines had been stolen from his ancestral home in Chile in the late 1800s, he spread a rumor that his darkest cave was haunted by the Devil himself. This added to the legend that the wines had been stored in hell but were made in heaven. The story spread, and today The Devil’s Cellar is the number one tourist attraction in Chile.

Wine Review:

The Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 pours dark red in the glass with black cherry, chocolate and tobacco on the nose. The wine is medium bodied with good tannins and a nice acidic balance. Cerise, plum and tobacco are on the palate with a hint of chocolate on the finish. Pair with grilled burgers, steak and some chocolate Halloween candies.

The Official Wine of Halloween comes in a HalloWine gift box that adds to the allure. Casillero del Diablo wines have maintained a steady following through the years for offering consumers dependable wines at good prices. Retailing for $11 nationwide, this Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 may be just the trick to make your Halloween guests feel that they’ve been given quite a treat.

~ Joy

My new book The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide is out on bookshelves nationwide. Click here for book information.

A Straight Shooting Whiskey: Bulleit Bourbon Review

The History:

It was 1830 when saloon owner Augustus Bulleit decided to create a whiskey with a unique flavor. Using two-thirds rye and one-third corn, Augustus made a mighty tasty rye whiskey that was popular until his death in 1860. Then, in 1987, Augustus’s great-great grandson, Thomas E. Bulleit, Jr. stepped up to begin crafting his version of Bulleit Bourbon. Bulleit, Jr. used 68% corn, 28% of rye and 4% malted barley in the mash bill for an exceptional flavor. Ten years later, Seagram’s purchased the brand. 

In 1999, Diageo bought the Seagram’s brands and Bulleit Bourbon was produced at Four Roses Distillery. In March of this year, Diageo opened the Bulleit Distillery in Shelby County, Kentucky. Now part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience is located in the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, five miles from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. 

The Bulleit Bourbon Profile:

Open a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon and you will notice the aromas of vanilla, honey and oak that tempt you to taste. The flavor profile is spicy with vanilla, caramel and hints of wood that trail into a long smoky finish. With a proof of 90% and ABV 45% (alcohol by volume), this bourbon retails for under $50 a bottle.

How to Enjoy:

Bulleit Bourbon is versatile – serve it straight, on the rocks, with water, club soda or ginger ale. The distillery offers tours and tastings from 10am – 4pm Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday tours are from 1pm to 4pm. Cost is $10 for adults over 21. Visit Bulleit Bourbon for more information.

Cheers!

Joy Neighbors

My new book The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide is out in bookstores across the country. Click here for more information. (FYI: Goes well with a glass of Bourbon!)