Wines to make your Father’s Day Celebration Perfect
June has one major celebration to observe – Father’s Day. It doesn’t get as much press as Mother’s Day, but it should include good wine and food too! This month let’s look at wines that suit the Father’s Day festivities plus some he would enjoy for his gift.
The question is what would he like? If you need some ideas, a 2012 study conducted in California showed red edged out white as being more popular with men. The same study demonstrated the most popular reds with men were (in order): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Looking at white wines, Chardonnay was the hands down favourite for men. It also shed light on the fact that one of the most popular reasons that men drink wine is to celebrate special occasions.
On June 19, celebrate Dad. BBQ him a nice dinner and pour him a good glass of wine (or two). Have a few bottles ready for his gift before he heads home. It is his special day after all. Cheers to Dads everywhere!
As usual, Wine Journeys ratings are based on a 5 star system developed by Michael Broadbent: 5 stars: Outstanding; 4 stars: Very good; 3 stars: Good; 2 stars: Moderately good; 1 star: Not very good, but not bad; No stars: Poor.
Cave Spring Estate Chardonnay Musqué 2020 ★★★★ $19.95 (Vintages)
Our In Vino Veritas Wine Club Members had a preview of this white and it was a hit! Chardonnay Musqué is a clone, which exhibits unique floral aromas not found in other Chardonnays, that is doing very well in Niagara. This one is unoaked and fermented in stainless steel to preserve the freshness and aromatics of the grape. In addition to the florals, you’ll find ripe sweet apple, juicy lemon, and pear built on a solid backbone of minerals. Attractively dry, this excellent wine will make your shrimp, scallops, grilled chicken, or even summer salads delightful.
Featherstone Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ★★★★ $17.95 (Vintages)
Sauvignon Blanc can be challenging in Niagara due to the cold winters, but Featherstone turns out excellent wines from this grape vintage after vintage. It’s medium bodied and treads the line between the ripe versions from New Zealand and the more austere from France. That leads to a white with intense stone fruit, lemon, and mandarin orange, followed by just a touch of grapefruit, minerals, and cut grass. 20% of the wine aged in used oak barrels adds richness. Pour with your appetizers, salads, and seafood dishes.
13th Street Expression Series Rosé 2021 ★★★½+ $15.95 (Vintages)
We’re heading into the warmer weather and Rose is the perfect solution to those pairing conundrums in summer since it works with just about anything. This Niagara wine would be a stellar match for everything from aperitif to food from the grill (for instance, shrimp). Dry and medium bodied, it is pleasantly fruited with cranberry, red delicious apple, watermelon, and red cherry finishing with lemons and herbal tinge.
Sister’s Run Old Testament Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ★★★★ $17.95 (Vintages)
Our Wine Club Members had a chance to try this wine as well and it got 2 thumbs up! From Coonawarra in Australia, it is a splendid red not to mention a great value. It’s uncommon to find a Cab below $20 that shows such true varietal character; this shows it remarkably well. Deeply coloured, it’s reminiscent of black currant jam, blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, spice, and minty eucalyptus. Dry and deliciously full bodied for your summer BBQs headlining beef or pork. It would be equally at home with mushrooms sautéed with thyme.
Trapiche Medalla Malbec 2018 ★★★★ $19.95 (Vintages)
Malbec from Argentina varies from medium bodied, moderately hued with red fruits to full bodied and dark showing black fruits. This red from Mendoza’s Luján de Cuyo and Maipú definitely falls in the latter camp. Expect a dry, savoury wine with intense blackberry, cassis, tobacco leaf, cedar, spice, vanilla, and plum compote supported by mellow, but noticeable, tannins. It’s an excellent example of Malbec that would complement grilled meats and vegetables, particularly Carne Asada.
Joel Gott Zinfandel 2018 ★★★★ $25.95 (Vintages)
California is blessed with old, gnarly Zinfandel vines that produce lower yields, but excellent fruit. This Zin’s fruit is predominantly from those vines in Lodi and Amador, but also blends in Sonoma fruit that makes this full bodied wine a little more elegant. Aging in mostly used French oak, with a small proportion of new American oak barrels, gives it a spicy character with just enough vanilla to match the full bodied black and red fruits typical of the grape. Perfect for your BBQ’ed meats, like pork chops drizzled with Chimichurri.
L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah 2018 ★★★½ $13.95 (Vintages)
Most people would raise an eyebrow if you suggested wine from Mexico, but you shouldn’t if it is from the cooler Baja region. The moderate climate is perfect for grape growing and this one is sourced from old vines in the region. Deeply coloured and full bodies with notes of black plum, black currant, coconut, vanilla, cigar box, and prune, this red is made to stand up to flavourful food. Serve it with beef tacos or chicken mole, and fine with grilled meats as well.
Shanahans The Barking Dog GSM 2018 ★★★★ $19.95 (Vintages)
Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre (GSM) blends are hitting their stride in Australia, particularly in hot regions like the Barossa Valley. It’s full bodied, dry, and filled with lushly ripe sweet red cherry and strawberry packaged up with spice, woody vanilla, and smooth tannins. Decanting makes it better. Grilled sausage (lamb or game suggested), and vegetables will make a memorable pairing.
Montgras Amaral Syrah 2019 ★★★★ $19.95 (Vintages)
Excellent Syrah is a good thing to find and this Chilean is excellent Syrah. The grapes are sourced from the cooler Leyda Valley region, which guarantees cool climate characteristics in this dark, dry, full bodied depiction. The aromas of red and black plum with blueberry are there, but so are smoked meat, pine needles, and leather. Bring out its best with BBQ burgers (meat or veggie), smoked pork, or grilled Portobello mushroom.