Skeleton Blauer Zweigelt

What could be more appropriate than a wine called Skeleton on Halloween? I’ve actually had this wine for awhile and as Halloween loomed closer I decided I had to save it for the day.

The big surprise was how much my mom – who doesn’t usually drink red wine – liked it. I liked it, but didn’t love it so I asked my mom to describe what she liked about it. Her description: “it doesn’t have that strong bite that so many reds have and it just seems to have a nice balanced feeling in my mouth.” (She was pretty psyched when I told her “mouthfeel” is actually a real wine term.) She said it reminded her of the currant jam she and her mom made growing up, as well as a little hint of blackberry. We both loved the way it paired with this cheddar I had bought at Trader Joe’s – each one together just made the other one even better.

Ya’ll, I think we have a budding wino on our hands.

And, in case you’re wondering, it also pairs great with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Almond Joys. Maybe not so much with the Skittles.

Tasting Notes:

Wine Name: Skeleton

Grape: Blauer Zweigelt (Austria’s most widely planted red grape)

Origin: Austria

Price: It was a gift, but looks like it averages $10.99 (and it’s a 1L bottle.)

General impressions: Low tannins, nice balanced mouthfeel, notes of blackberries and currants, semi-dry

Recommendations: pairs well with cheddar, a good red for new red drinkers, serve on Halloween!

Would you buy it again? Not for myself, but maybe for my mom. It lacked the big jammy fruit taste that I usually look for in a red, and I’m growing more partial to a more tannic wine these days too. But looks like it could be one I have on hand to pay Grandma-babysitter when she comes to town!