JennVal Wine Gal’s October Bucket List
Get ready to embrace the magic of October with a delicious food and wine-inspired bucket list that will elevate your fall experience! This list is your ticket to enjoying the vibrant flavours and cozy vibes of the season—all you have to do is save it and let the festivities unfold. From pairing warm comfort foods with seasonal wines to exploring local harvest activities, there's something for everyone to savour.
But first, I’ll be breaking down each activity for you, ensuring you make the most out of every delicious moment. So, dive in and let the rest of this month be a celebration of taste and togetherness!
DO AN AT-HOME WINE TASTING
You might be asking yourself where do I start? Don’t feel intimidated. It’s easier than you think and lots of fun. Below is a quick step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Pick Your Wines.
For beginners, I would suggest you start with two wines. You could do a white and a red. You could do two whites or two reds. Do more wines if you are feeling adventurous. As for the order of the tasting try them in order from the lightest to the richest wine, for example, a Pinot Noir first and then a Shiraz, OR a Sauvignon Blanc and then a Chardonnay,
Step 2: Jot Down All The Different Things You Observe
Get a blank sheet of paper to jot down all your observations and tasting notes. Make note of how the wines looks (its colour and how intense the colour is), the aromas, and how it tastes.
A flight of wines.
What do you smell and taste? Are the fruits ripe, underripe, or overripe and jammy? Are there floral notes or herbal notes? Do you smell oak in the form of vanilla, baking spices, chocolate or coconut? How does the wine feel in your mouth? Is it sweet? Does it make your mouth fill with saliva? Does it dry out your mouth? Is there a heat to it that you can feel in your throat? What do you taste? Are the flavours the same as the aromas you smelt earlier? How long do the flavours linger in your mouth after you swallow?
Step 4: Conclusion and Pairing
Lastly, do you like the wine? If so, make note of why. Also, think about what you might want to eat with this wine. Or would you just rather sip it and enjoy it while marathoning a show or hanging out with friends?
BAKED DELICIOUS FALL TREATS AND EAT BAKED APPLES
I love baking and Autumn is one of the best seasons for baking. There are so many options for baking and everything goes so well with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Speaking of baked goods, have you ever baked apples before? It’s a bit of an old fashioned dessert but if you haven’t tried them, you should. They are really simple to make, versatile, and super tasty. Check out the Instagram reel I made on how to make these tasty Autumn treats.
GO FOR A NATURE WALK AND APPLE PICKING
Picking apples with my family at Applewood Farms in Stouffville, Ontario.
This one is fairly self explanatory. Put on some warm clothes and boots, fill a thermos with a warm drink (perhaps some mulled wine) and get out and enjoy the outdoors.
TRY A NEW RED WINE
A bottle of some Sangiovese. It’s always good to get out of your comfort zone and try something different.
If you like wine you may have heard of a grape variety called Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular grape variety in the world. While Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent wine, there are so many other wines out there that are similar to it that are worth your attention. Isn’t variety the spice of life?
If you want to try something different and are too afraid to step out of your comfort zone, you can try Cabernet Sauvignon from different regions. Also, if you are always picking up a California Cab, why not try one from Chile, South Africa, or South Australia?
If you want to try something different and venture out, try the following:
-Bordeaux Blend (you can find some affordable bottles in the market)
-Merlot
-Nero D’Avola from Italy
-Cabernet Franc
-Carménère from Chile (My personal favourite)
FALL AND SPOOKY MOVIE NIGHT
Watching Ghostbusters with a glass of wine.
If you follow me on Instagram or TikTok then you know that I love movies. I do this fun thing where I pair movies with wines. If you head over to either platform you will find a lot of these pairings. If you like movies and wine then give me a follow.
DECORATE YOUR HOME BAR (CART)
I like my bar to reflect the season so I decorate it. This year I made a little extra bar by my tv and decorated it for Halloween. I popped on Labyrinth and got to work. It was fun and really got me into the festive spirit. Check out the Instagram reel here.
MAKE A FALL THEMED PLAYLIST
Music is a big part of my life. I grew up surrounded by it and I can’t do life without a playlist for every occasion. When it starts to get chilly and the leaves start to change I like to put on a playlist that reflects the season.
CURL UP WITH A WARM DRINK AND A BOOK
A cozy book and a warm drink.
There is nothing better than a good book, except a good book under a blanket in the Fall with a warm drink. Make that drink a spiced spiked apple cider and you’ve got yourself a night in!
And now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, my October bucket list.
This list is your ticket to enjoying the vibrant flavours and cozy vibes of the season—all you have to do is save the above image and let the festivities unfold.