Winey Tasting Notes: How about a Cupcake (cabernet sauvignon) with that Halloween Candy?

It is a well known fact in my house that certain Halloween candy will mysteriously disappear from my children’s stashes. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard, “Hey, where did that big Snickers bar go?” or “I had some Peppermint Patties, I know I did.” I say if you can’t keep track of your candy under lock and key, you deserve what you get.

So imagine my despair this year, now that college son wasn’t here to trick or treat…and the 15 year old daughter was sick!! (Yes, she and some pals still head out – it’s pretty much a girls night out at that age.) I was stuck at home handing out the candy. Yes, I was prepared with bags of Snickers, Peppermint Patties, Hershey Bars and Twix (I don’t really like Twix, but by purchasing them, I could at least assure that there would be some candy to hand out). It was a damp, frosty evening here…so to warm myself up as I admired costumes and passed out treats, I decided to pour a little Cupcake.

No, I don’t mean that I was drinking raw cupcake batter (DO NOT put that past me though). I am referring to Cupcake Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Central Coast of California. (13.5% alcohol, $9.99.)

I have to admit that I was taken aback when I first opened the bottle…cause I got a definite noseful of yeast. But that was just for a moment and while it wasn’t bad, it was a bit surprising. But after 45 minutes of breathing time, my nose was much happier. Now I took in pepper, cinnamon and dark fruits – think cranberry. Maybe even a tiny bit of peppermint. First taste was of oak and cherry…not fighting each other – they did very well together. The finish of this full bodied wine was warm oak – smooth and lasting. More sipping brought out the spices – especially that cinnamony taste from the “warm” oak. I was one happy candy wrangler. At $9.99…it’s enough to get me off the aforementioned Snickers and Peppermint Patties (well…almost).

(Side note: Locally, the Heinen’s/WVIZ World Series of Wine is coming up this weekend. An article in today’s Plain Dealer about the job of wine judging (aka: Winey Mom dream job), reveals that Cupcake Vineyards 2011 Sauvignon Blanc was one of the event’s highest rated wines — winning the Chairman’s Award, Triple Gold. Sounds like a very promising trip to the bakery, doesn’t it?)

I found this wine paired very nicely with tiny witches, some very chilly princesses, lots of super heroes, a few zombies, and yes, Snickers and Peppermint Patties. Oh, and it especially paired well with my own little helper:
  

Chloe as Ladybug Halloween 2011

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