By Robert Giles

The spooky season is upon us and, I must confess, it is perhaps my favorite of the seasons. The changing of the leaves as cooler weather moves in, the shadows that begin to lengthen to hide the children of the night, and that ever present feeling that something may be watching you.

As someone who grew up in the late eighties and nineties I remember vividly the rise of vampires in popular culture. Whether through Bram Stoker's Dracula or Anne Rice's vampire chronicles, these tortured, cursed souls were alluring to my teenage mind -- reveling in the finer things in life while cursed with unspeakable and unquenchable thirsts.

As wine has become a passion and life-long study for me now, I enjoy planning my Halloween parties around the idea of what wines a vampire might crave. Here are some of my favorite picks if you were looking to enjoy the richness that these ghouls might themselves enjoy.

Vampires love to toy with the minds of their victims. Are you paying attention to the warning signs or are you fooled by their wily charms? The deep black fruit flavors of cherry and blackberry seem to overwhelm you as the hints of cedar and tobacco give bright pinpoints of clarity in the sea of darkness. The smooth tannins lull your palate into craving more.

The power of these otherworldly creatures is unmatched by humans. This characteristic is shared by the Juggernaut. The smooth richness of this wine's body belies its power as you are overtaken by the ripe black currant flavor wrapped in vanilla and a strong oaky overtone. You know you shouldn't but just one more taste to feel that power again.

As the Vampire lords over his domain he is an ever-present and ominous force. As the flavors of black plum and licorice wash across your taste buds, this wine will force itself to remain present in your memory with its strong, fine tannins. Just as they begin to relent, you find a more subtle note of fig and marjoram that is again washed away just as you finish. You cannot forget the presence of what you have partaken of and you crave more.

The lusciousness of black currant and blackberry excites your tongue. The faint hints of tobacco and graphite that linger after each sip remind you of the earth you will forever wander. Strong tannins cut through the rich, ripe fruit and remind you of the sharpness of what once was. The Faustian pact is complete and the prey becomes the hunter.

These few wines are just a small example of what those mighty lords-of-night might enjoy at their evening gatherings. Surely they are hunting for more and new experiences just as you hunt for new and dynamic wines. Remember to keep the new experiences coming and you will have nothing to fear from them. Cheers!