It’s the season of ghouls, goblins, and slightly questionable taste. But even more so, it’s the season to unapologetically binge horror movies. We’ve taken the top five horror subgenres and paired them with wines so you can sip while you simultaneously get spooked.
Paranormal and Possession
Whether they haunt houses, possess dolls, or make indie VHS tapes, there’s nothing friendly about these ghosts. This subgenre is filled with cheap jump scares accompanied by a soundtrack of eerie noises. Pair these movies with Sauvignon Blanc so you have something light and refreshing to help calm you down when the suspense of an extended hallway shot with the sound of children’s laughter gets too intense.
One of our favorites is the 2023 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc from Matanzas Creek, which not only offers vibrant citrus notes but also has a crispness that perfectly complements the chilling atmosphere of these films.
Here are some other Sauv Blanc wines we think you’ll love:
Monsters
Leave behind the sparkly high-schoolers and bring on the classic vampire tropes! Included in this category are abnormally giant animals, imaginative creatures with too many tentacles, laughably slow-walking zombies, and vampires with a surprising weakness to garlic. Since you don’t have to suffer life without garlic, pair these movies with Merlot (and pasta while you’re at it). Revel in your ability to drink something deliciously fruit-forward that pairs well with garlicky foods as you watch imaginary monsters struggle to hunt their dinner.
One standout choice is the Freemark Abbey 2019 Napa Valley Merlot, which boasts rich berry flavors and a velvety texture that elevate any pasta night. It’s the perfect accompaniment to those campy horror classics that make you laugh and scream at the same time. Here are some other Merlot wines we think you’ll love
Slasher
The Slasher film is arguably the creepiest of horror sub-genres because the “monster” is usually a person who attended a 1970s summer camp. With plot lines about stalking and murder, the main moral of this sub-genre is to never run upstairs. Watch these movies with a bottle of Chardonnay because if you end up having to run with your wine glass, you won’t have to worry about red wine spilling.
Our Slasher winner is the Kendall-Jackson 2023 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, which offers baked apples and notes of ripe fruit that make it incredibly easy to sip while you’re on the edge of your seat. It’s the perfect partner for those chilling moments when the suspense builds. Here are some other wines we think you’ll love:
Gore
Whether it’s campy over-the-top graphics, or disturbingly real, the Gore genre will entail blood, guts, and guaranteed grimaces. For this genre, we recommend leaning right into it and drink a dark, visceral red wine like Zinfandel. If you have to look away from the screen, at least you can feel like you’re still participating by sipping on a wine that could be used as a special effect prop.
Our favorite gore companion is the Murphy-Goode 2020 Liar's Dice Zinfandel, which is rich and bold with notes of dark fruit and spice that perfectly match the intensity of the films. It's a great way to embrace the mayhem while enjoying something truly delicious. Here are some other wines we think you’ll love:
Comedic
Take any of the above sub-genres and add superb comedic timing! This is the perfect movie choice for a influx of mixed emotions that will surely end with a laugh. Open a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and sip on it slowly as it too will go through emotions as you let it oxygenate throughout the 90ish minutes of horror comedy.
Our favorite is the Stonestreet 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which showcases deep, rich flavors of blackberry and chocolate that evolve beautifully in the glass. It’s the ideal companion for those moments when the laughs mix with the chills. Here are some other wines we think you’ll love:
Halloween Theme
The likelihood that you don’t enjoy horror but will listen to true crime podcasts is fairly high. But no judgment from us. Enjoy a Halloween-themed movie with a G-rated plot and snuggle up with Pinot Noir because this subgenre is not about getting spooked but, instead, about gettin' cozy.
Now go enjoy your horror movie binge while you sip. But if you’re also throwing a Halloween party and need to stock up on bottles for guests, take a look at our selection of our sustainably-focused wines priced under $25 Because cheap thrills doesn’t mean you have to serve cheap drinks.
And don't forget the La Crema 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, which brings a lovely balance of fruitiness and earthiness, perfect for a cozy night in!.
