Green wine is the drink you need for Halloween — it’s scarily good

Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more

Wine is in its Halloween era.

Echo Falls has just released a green wine. And I’m not talking about a greenish tinge you’d sometimes find in a dry white wine.

Nope, I mean green-green.

This colour of Slimer from Ghostbusters. Like the radioactive waste leaking from Homer’s power plant in the opening credits of The Simpsons. The same shade as Elphaba from Wicked. You get the picture.

Yes, it’s that green. And did I mention it’s sour apple flavour? Because apparently, grapes aren’t fruity enough nowadays. In fact, it’s technically a ‘wine-based alcoholic mixed drink’, so we can’t even refer to it as a proper wine.

It’s a limited-edition Halloween creation, available at Asda for £5.47.

On the plus side, that’s probably cheaper than the single-use plastic vampire fangs you’ll be buying for October 31st.

Wine connoisseurs will be sharpening their pitchforks as I write this, but I think it’s quite a fun idea. Wine is a serious business, and if a novelty bottle gives people a giggle, where’s the harm?

What does it taste like?

At 9% ABV, it’s considerably lighter than the majority of wines, but let’s not start calling it a health drink quite yet. Or ever.

Is it any good? If you like apple-flavoured Sour Patch sweets and wine blended together, you’ve found your match made in heaven. Or should I say, hell.

Heck, it’s not as bad as I was expecting, truth be told. There’s a moreish zestiness lurking among all the sugar. Just make sure no white walls or crayons are around when you open the bottle.

But all this talk of green wine has got me thinking, because there’s another green wine out there. One that’s been around for centuries, doesn’t taste of sour apple sweets and, confusingly, doesn’t actually look green.

Vinho Verde from Portugal, welcome to the chat…

The green wine that isn’t actually green

If you’ve ever holidayed in Portugal, there’s a reasonable chance you’ve come across it. It’s pronounced veeh-no-vehr-day, literally translating as ‘green wine’.

Except, it’s not actually green. I mean, if you really squint, you might see some flecks of green. But you’d practically have to close your eyes and imagine it. Because the white version, which is what most of us know, is actually pale, crisp, and refreshing.

So, why call it green wine?

Traditionally, the name is associated with the wine’s youth and freshness. Many of the lighter styles are released just a few months after harvest, rather than spending time maturing in a cellar.

Think of it like a teenager: young, fresh, full of energy, and not particularly interested in hanging around.

Another explanation points to the landscape itself. Vinho Verde comes from the lush, rain-soaked northwest of Portugal, where the countryside looks like the green, green grass of Wales or Gloucestershire.

And here’s another thing: Vinho Verde isn’t the grape variety; it’s an entire wine region producing whites, reds, and even rosés.

Yes, green wine comes in pink. And I’m still trying to get my head around that concept.

Why should you be drinking it?

For a start, it tastes scarily good.

The Atlantic-influenced climate helps produce wines with a vibrant, lip-smacking freshness. Imagine a Sauvignon Blanc, then mentally add a squeeze of lime, a twist of Granny Smith apple and a tickle of bubbles.

That gentle prickle of fizz, or ‘pétillance’ as the French call it, comes from CO2 in the wine from fermentation. We’re not talking Prosecco-fizzy, mind you, just a little to give your tongue a buzz.

Although that’s part of the charm of the everyday stuff, more serious Vinho Verdes often ditch the bubbles to show off the more complex flavours instead. And while many hover around 9-11% alcohol, don’t assume they’re all featherweights. Some of the more substantial wines made from grapes including Loureiro and Alvarinho can reach 12-13%.

But the best bit? You’ll won’t have to spend a fortune. There are plenty of excellent bottles for under a tenner, and I can’t remember the last time I tasted a terrible Vinho Verde.

So which green wine should you buy?

Well, it depends on what you’re after. If you’re throwing a Halloween party and want something the colour of troll snot, Echo Falls has you covered. I’m not sure Portuguese winemakers are going to lose any sleep over it.

But if you’re looking for a delicious, refreshing wine that offers killer value for money, I’d steer you towards Vinho Verde every time.

And you won’t have to pack it away on November 1 either, although the bottle might have spookily disappeared before then…

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk

Comment now

Comments

Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google

Add as preferred source