As fun as Halloween can be, we all reach an age where knocking on our neighbors’ doors with a mask on may be frowned upon. However, this does not mean the fun ends at adulthood. Why not try something new this year? A nice dessert wine can be the perfect treat for your adults-only gathering.

While dessert wines may be an unfamiliar territory for some wine drinkers, they should not be feared this Halloween. The right selection can enhance your favorite dessert, or be a treat all on its own. Though techniques vary, there are two major categories of dessert wines. Those that achieve sweetness during fermentation through the addition of a neutral grape spirit( fortified wines), and those which achieve the sweetness while still on the vine-through various methods. Just like dry table wines, there are a variety of different dessert wines to choose from.

Port Wines:These fortified, red dessert wines are produced exclusively in Portugal’s Duoro wine making region and often have alcohol contents in the realm of 20% by volume. During fermentation, the wines are fortified by adding a neutral grape spirit know as Aguardente. Though often called Brandy, this spirit has little in common with commercial brandies. During this process, the alcohol from the distilled spirit kills the yeast, leaving behind residual sugar. The result is a wine that is both sweet and high in alcohol.

-Tawny Port:Tawny Ports are wines that are aged in wooden barrels, and through the Solera process, the wines are exposed to gradual oxidation and evaporation. As a result, they mellow to a golden-brown color and achieve nutty, caramel flavors.

-Ruby Port: Ruby Ports are the youngest, and most extensively produced ports. These ports do not receive the oak ageing of Tawny Ports, and tend to have berry flavors, and be low in tannins.

-Vintage Port: Vintage ports, which only make up about 2% of Port production, are the most renowned of the port wines. These ports are made entirely of a declared vintage year, and spend a maximum of 2 and a half years in oak barrels before bottling. The short amount of time spent in oak allows these ports to keep their dark, ruby color and fresh fruit flavors. Bottle aging is recommended for 10-30 years in order to reach the best drinking age.

Sauternes - These renowned French dessert wines are produced in the Sauternes region of Bordeaux, France. The sweetness for these wines is achieved through raisining of the grapes. A process which shrivels the grapes due to the fungus Botrytis cinerea, or Noble Rot. Though it looks as if the grapes have gone bad, the raisining concentrates the flavors and the water inside the grapes evaporates; leaving a rich, sweet juice with flavors of apricots, honey and peaches. As Sauternes wines age, their golden yellow color becomes gradually darker. Some experts believe that these wines have not reached their peak drinking age until they have taken on a much darker color.

Icewine(Eiswein)- These dessert wines are produced from grapes that have been left on the vine to freeze. During freezing, the sugars and other solids are separated as the water freezes. This leaves a very concentrated grape must. These wines require a great deal of labor and are a risky wine to produce. The result is a very refreshing wine, medium to full-bodied with a long finish and a nose of pear, peach, apricot, honey, and citrus. Alcohol content is often lower than that of table wines.

Also see Sherry, Late Harvest, and Muscat dessert wines. Don’t forget to stop at the cash register when you pick out your favorites this year. The theme is trick-or- treating, but these aren’t free. Enjoy!

Bodegas Muga vineyards are located on the foot of the Montes Obarenses, within the Rioja Alta. The surrounding mediterranian, Atlantic, and Continental climates combine harmoniously to crate a climate that is exceptional for growing grapes.

Bottle King is Spotlighting 6 of the current releases from Muga in our latest Winery Feature.

Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga 2005 750ML
“The 2005 Torre Muga is a dense purple color with an impressive bouquet of pain grille, mineral, spice box, lavender, black cherry, and blackberry. Dense and structured on the palate, it is likely to evolve for another 10-12 years and drink well through 2030.”-Jay Miller Wine Advocate 94 Points

Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial Rioja 2004 750ML
“The 2004 Muga Reserva Seleccion Especial is deep crimson-colored. Dense and packed, it offers up aromas of cedar, spice box, mineral, pencil lead, and assorted black fruits. It nicely conceals enough structure for 6-8 years of evolution. This lengthy effort should drink well through 2030.”-Jay Miller Wine Advocate 94 Points

Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva Unfiltered 2005 750ML
“The purple-colored 2005 Muga Reserva, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and the balance Mazuelo and Graciano. It was aged for six months in wood vats followed by two years in new French and American oak. It delivers an alluring nose of cedar, tobacco, earth notes, mineral, and black cherry. This is followed by an elegant wine with good depth and enough ripe tannin to evolve for several years. Nicely balanced and long in the finish, it will be at its best from 2012 to 2020 if not longer.”-Jay Miller Wine Advocate 90 Points

Bodegas Muga Blanco Rioja 2009 750ML
This blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia fermented and aged on its lees for 4 months is crisp, clean and fresh on the palate. Shows lemon, spiced apple and vanilla notes. A great change of pace white at a very reasonable price.

Bodegas Muga Rioja Rose 2009 750ML
“The 2009 Muga Rose is a mix of red and white grapes, 60% Garnacha, 30% Viura, and 10% Tempranillo which spends 2 months in American oak vats. Medium pink-colored with a pretty nose of strawberry and rhubarb, on the palate it is dry, crisp, and tasty in a slightly austere style which more sophisticated imbibers may find appealing. Drink it over the next 12-18 months.”-Jay Miller Wine Advocate 88 Points

Bodegas Muga Conde de Haro Sparkling 750ML
“Muga’s sparkling offering, the N.V. Conde de Haro is made with the traditional methode champenoise from a blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia. Medium straw-colored, it offers up an attractive nose of biscuit, white fruit, and floral notes. Fruity on the palate with apple and pear flavors, it is nicely balanced with a refreshing finish. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.”-Jay Miller Wine Advocate 89 Points

Winemaker Juan Muga will be visiting Bottle King’s Wayne location during the winery feature. Keep posted for details.

The Columbia Valley AVA is responsible for 99% of Washington State’s wine production and covers large portions of its Central and Southern regions, as well as a portion of Oregon. The climate of Columbia Valley allows for fruit forward, California Style wines, but that also obtain the characteristics and structure of European wines. Its location also provides two additional hours of sunlight during the summer growing season than California wine regions receive.

2007 Reverly Cabernet Sauvignon 750ML

Revelry Vineyards, the brainchild of Northwest native Jared Burns, offers award winning, premium wines with incredible complexity and depth of character. With a tradition of excellence deeply rooted in respect for the dynamic viticulture movement of Washington State, Revelry’s innovative craftsmen embrace a bold, visionary approach to wine-making.

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is a delicious blend, with the addition of Merlot and Cabernet Franc; which contribute 12.5% each to the final blend. The use of French oak infuses flavors of Vanilla and spice and the Cabernet Franc, adds an unmistakably pleasurable experience.

WB Review: “This Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon offers great fruit, flavors of blackberry, dark cherry and plum. The finish is focused ending with vanilla and a touch of spice.”-Wine Buyer Best Buy

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
This Cabernet Sauvignon originates from three superb vineyards, based on the hillside of the highly prized sub-appellation of Spring Mountain District. The combination of alternating terrains(600-1800ft) and beautiful alluvial soils makes these Napa vineyards perfect for growing rich, yet elegant Cabernet. The aromas and mouth feel greet you with a lush rendering of ripe fresh black currants, cedar and dark cocoa. The wine is well balanced, with a long firm finish, which coats the mouth with a taste that is to die for.

“Great concentration with big, bold flavors of dark cherry, black currants, lush, rich chocolate and a touch of cedar. This Cabernet is well balanced and carries a long, firm finish.” only 335 Cases Produced!- WB 93 Points

2007 Pinot Noir
This Pinot Noir was sourced from Vineyards located in the world renowned Carneros region. The wines under the Moniz label showcase the fusion of European grape varieties with contemporary modern wine-making to produce a range of wines that are distinctive but uniquely Carneros in Style. Enjoy!

“This Pinot Noir offers nice density and complexity! Flavors of wild berry, Black cherry, plum, and Asian spices are present with a touch of toasty oak that plays well with the fruitiness. Finishes with firm but supple tannins and a great deal of length.” 598 Cases Produced- WB 91 Points

2007 Chardonnay:
The special growing conditions of the Carneros region require unique farming practices that promote the growth of world-class grapes. Sangiacomo Vineyards, located on the Sonoma side of Carneros, has been farming the region since 1927. Their experience and expertise in producing outstanding quality Chardonnay grapes is the main reason Moniz Vineyards has ourced its Chardonnay grapes from this reputable family owned business. Our chardonnay is a delicious embodiment of rich, elegant charecteristics that can only be found in wines from the Carneros appellation.

“Complex , with its interplay of ripe fruit flavors and spicy, vanilla-tinged oak notes. Hints of pineapple, melon, apple, and apricot are rich and well focused”- 397 Cases Produced.

L'Aubiniere Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie 2008 750ML

The production of Muscadet begins with the rather neutral Melon de Bourgogne grape.
The Melon- de-Bourgogne, originally introduced by Dutch traders, in Nantes France, produced a white wine in a region dominated by red wine production. However, the extremely harsh winter of 1709 decimated the Loire valley’s red wine production. The Melon de Bourgogne stood strong and shed light on a devastated city. The grape’s survival skills soon made it a favorite above all others. The wine making techniques of the region have evolved around the Melon grape in order to increase its flavor and complexity. Perhaps the most notable technique is the Aging technique known as Sur Lie Aging.

Now a common practice, Sur Lie was discovered in the 17th century by what could be considered, an accident. Producers of Muscadet would traditionally set aside a barrel of wine for a special family occasion, such as a wedding. This became known as the “ Honeymoon Barrel”. These barrels, due to the extended contact with the residual yeast( known as Lees) of the fermentation tanks, would produce wines with more flavor and complexity.

The L’Aubiniere Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie 2008 is pale yellow with greenish highlights and an intense floral bouquet with overtones of spice and fruit. The richness, balance and freshness of this wine make it an excellent example of its appellation. It is enjoyable young, but will age well for several years.