I’m a huge lover of everything pumpkin and squash! Nothing takes the chill off like a bowl of creamy pumpkin soup drizzled with crème fraîche and a pinch of nutmeg. Still, I had my doubts about sparking pumpkin wine.
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Where Would You Find Pumpkin Wine?
I discovered pumpkin wine at the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival. As you can imagine everything you find at the festival is made with pumpkin. I wasn’t so surprised to find pumpkin confectionaries and pumpkin pasta. But Wow! I was taken aback when I saw pumpkin wine.
The Pumpkin Festival is an annual event that happens in Ludwigsburg Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is just 17km north of Stuttgart. The festival is the biggest of its kind in the world. It might sound quirky, maybe even a little cheesy, but it’s worth visiting whether your on your own or with kids.
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My First Impression
It sounds like a very odd, and not very tasty combination. I bet when you first read pumpkin wine, you squished up your face and curled your lip. It’s OK to admit it. I know I did when I first saw it.
Although I was skeptical, I was also curious. That’s what led me to convince my husband to share a glass with me at the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival in Germany.
I took a small sip, ready to spit it out. To my surprise, not only did I not spit it out, I had another sip, then another. We both liked it so much that we each ordered another glass.
The only difference was that this time neither of us was sharing. Now I’m hooked and stock up on pumpkin sparkling wine each year since it’s difficult to get out of season.
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So What Does Pumpkin Wine Taste Like?
It’s surprisingly sweet, but not too sweet. It isn’t too pumpkiny tasting, there’s just a hint of pumpkin. It’s refreshing, yet balances the heavier flavours of a seasonal soup at the same time. I also like it with turkey dinner. Despite my stash, it never makes it to the end of pumpkin season, it’s simply too good. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Autumn.
It’s also my secret weapon for entertaining during the holiday season. It never fails to both simultaneously surprise and delight my dinner guests, although I will admit that it also makes for a good companion on pumpkin carving night. This wine just makes the holiday season so much more special.
If pumpkin wine isn’t your thing, there’s also Pumpkin Beer, Pumpkin Spice Flavoured Coffee, and Pumpkin Pasta! You can even start your day with Pumpkin Spice Cheerios.
In the season of trick or treats, I promise you, pumpkin wine is the latter!
Please let me know how to order the Pumpkin wine.
@Ava – Not sure, I always buy it at the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival directly and buy a few bottles at a time.
Thank you for introducing me to pumpkin wine – I will definitely try it if I ever bump into some 😉 And I love autumn, too. It’s so very beautiful here in Finland with all the colours in the forests.
My husband and I went to the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival this year as well! We brought home 3 bottles of that yummy stuff! It’s perfect for Thanksgiving dinners!
@Casey – Glad you went and discovered the pumpkin wine. It is amazing isn’t it?
Um, this looks like my kind of wine! Especially since I recently discovered I’ve become allergic to red wine — I think I’m still good on pumpkin though 🙂
@Edna – Then it’s perfect for you. It’s one of my favorite kinds of wine EVER!
I’d totally try it. Weird, but interesting. Never heard of it before. Sounds like something a Hobbit would drink!
Shut the front door! WHERE CAN I GET THIS? Pumpkin-anything is only my favorite food ever!!!