Hallowino 2013

One of our favorite Wine Club events of the year was last night! Hallowino 2013 brought out a black swan, Jessica Rabbit, a Catholic schoolgirl, Orange is the New Black girlfriends, a fox and a butterfly. Plus a baby, but more about that later.

As always, we brought wines with spooky labels, and miraculously, no repeats after 4 years! We sampled:

• Script & Seal Syrah, with hints of blueberry, black raspberry and herbs de provence. A little fruity, a little spicy.
• Benefactors Cellars Shiraz, a Trader Joe's wine with dark fruit flavors.
• Apothic Dark Red, a surprisingly sweeter version of an old favorite, with hints of coffee and chocolate.
• The Plank, a sweet red North Carolina muscadine. It's syrupy sweet, but smells divine.
• Giocato Pinot Grigio, our first Slovenian wine! A fresh, bright and crisp pinot with hints of green apple.

• Once Upon a Vine red blend, a fruit yet spicy blend.
• Cryptic, a fruit red blend, with notes of dark red cherry, blackberry and blueberry.

Erica made an incredible spread of foods meant to signify the seven deadly sins. My favorite? Saffron risotto topped with gold flecks, for "greed." It literally looked like something Scrooge McDuck would dive into, and was SO GOOD.

For envy, we had green asparagus topped with caramelized onions and bacon.

And the mindblowing gluttonous centerpiece was a crown roast of pork. It was just about the fanciest meal I've ever had, in someone's home or anywhere!

Last night was most special because our newest member was finally able to make it to a meeting! Baby Mia graced us with her presence, gamely cooed and giggled and napped with everyone and then happily slept on Daddy while Mommy got her sip on. Best. baby. ever!!

I mean, come on.

Thank you to Jessica Rabbit for being the hostess with the mostest!

Catch our previous Hallowinos here, here, here and here.