Sure, Halloween is spooky but have you ever suffered a thunderous, gut-churning stomach ache after eating a brick of Dubliner cheese?

With the weather getting gloomier by the day, girl’s night was forced to pivot. So instead of drinking wine on the patio, we decided to do the exact same thing, but indoors.

Building on the momentum we gathered from visiting wineries all summer long, we decided to host a sophisticated wine tasting, complete with a Halloween-themed cheeseboard. Nothing says sophistication like candy corn from the bulk section gently brushed up against expensive cheese.

Despite being kept up all night with rather aggressive cheese sweats, you bet we’ll be doing it again.

The cheeseboard experience simply isn’t complete without an 18-ounce glass of wine. For this exact reason, we had these four B.C. bottles to enjoy as we munched on crackers topped with brie and raspberry habanero jelly.

CedarCreek Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Noir

From what we know about wine pairings, light red wines pair wonderfully with medium and hard cheeses like aged cheddar, Gruyère, and Gouda. The Pinot Noir we selected came all the way from the rather picturesque CedarCreek Estate Winery in Kelowna, B.C. The combination of soils, elevation levels, and the moderating effect of the nearby lake produces grapes that make fruit-forward, complex wines.

CedarCreek’s 2019 Pinot Noir has tasting notes of raspberries, blackberries, cooking herbs, and even mushrooms. It has a very structured palate with a long, persistent finish. Speaking of finish, this bottle was empty a mere 30 minutes into the evening.

Petrichor 2019 Cabernet Merlot

Petrichor is a word that describes the stonelike earthy smell associated with rain. The estate vineyard that produces Petrichor wines is nestled in the Southern Okanagan Valley within the Okanagan Valley B.C. VQA. Just like the scent released into the air when raindrops meet the ground, Petrichor’s Cabernet Merlot will delight your senses.

The Cabernet Merlot is structured and has strong tasting notes of black and red fruits. Cabernet Merlot’s tannins pair well with roast beef, braised lamb, gorgonzola, and cheddar cheese. But in our humble opinion, it paired perfectly with everything we tossed onto our cheeseboard—even the chocolate-covered pretzels.

For those who prefer white wines, the vineyard also makes a lively Sauvignon Blanc with tasting notes of lemon zest, lemongrass, and honey.

Road 13 Syrah

This Syrah is from Road 13’s vineyards in the Similkameen and Okanagan Valley. The full-bodied Syrah was a major hit with the ladies who were, in hindsight, probably overdoing it with the smoked Gouda cheese.

The wine was aged in 30 percent new French oak barrels for 18 months before final blending. After this was complete, the food-friendly wine was further aged in tank before bottling. When sipping on Road 13’s Syrah, you’ll notice meaty flavours with hints of black cherry, cooking spices, and smoky oak.

Because this Syrah is so well-balanced, it’s easy to enjoy alongside appetizers or a full meal. It pairs best with grilled meats and vegetables, hamburgers, and aged cheeses.

Roche Traditional 2017 Pinot Gris

Did you really think we would have a girl’s night without a Pinot Gris?

This unique Pinot Gris is from Roche Wines in Penticton, B.C., and has apple, vanilla spice, and floral overtones. Its intense acidity creates a focused and long finish. If you’re lucky, you’ll experience refreshing tasting notes of ripe pear and lemon zest.

Pinot Gris is typically paired with creamier dishes like risotto and pasta slathered in Alfredo sauce. But if we’re talking cheeses, the crisp white wine makes a delicious accompaniment to brie, Gruyère, and mozzarella.