Halloween wines: 13 spooky pours to keep the ghosts out

From one of Australia's foremost biodynamic estates, fully certified in 2008, this is a pure and nimble blend of Malbec (picked on fruit days), Petit Verdot (Moon opposite Saturn flower day) and Merlot (flower day). Great acidity from a cool vintage and grippy skin-contact fruit tannins provide a firm backbone to the violet-driven dark berry flavours.

With a seductively round fruit profile, there's decent ripeness on the initial attack. Aromas of redcurrants, black cherries, raspberries, lingonberries, mulberries, and a dusting of cinnamon sugar. Dried cranberries and dried porcini mushrooms emerge with an additional swirl. On the palate, sweet and fresh red cherries fill the mouth. Forest floor notes linger on the mid-palate, and this freshens out to more orangey tones on the finish. There's a raspberry-infused, mouth-watering, slightly citric acidity on the finish too. The tannins are present and fine-grained, leaving just a touch of grip. Down to earth and doing what Pinot does best. The line of acidity is screaming out for food. A dish that needs a fresh, austere pick-me-up; something that will bring out the sweet ripe fruit in the wine but echo the earthy savouriness too - mushroom stroganoff, perhaps?

The Pinot Noir for the 'Nightjar' were picked from the Clayhill Vineyard then fermented in the producer's winery in Battersea, London. 30% whole-bunch fermentation gave the 2020 vintage a vibrantly perfumed nose of red roses, smoked plum and cherry liqueur, spiced with fragrant herbs and pepper. Minty red berry fruits on the palate, with a hint of preserved cherry. Aged in 5-10 year old Burgundy barrels for 9 months. Look out for the 2018 'Reserve' version of the Nightjar, to be released next year.

This Shiraz will easily send a shiver down your spine with its explosive energy and joyous vibrancy. Juicy and fresh, with refreshing acidity driving the luscious blackberry, blackcurrant and plum fruit, all sprinkled with liquorice and black pepper. One to enjoy slightly chilled.