Father’s Day and wine are synonymous for the millions of people looking to treat their old man this weekend.
Whether it’s cooking the dinner or wrapping up a bottle for later a good vino is a sure fire way to their heart.
And if you’re looking for a bottle to fit a budget or occasion, we have just the pick for you.
Take a look below for our recommended wines for Father’s Day 2018.
Splash out: On a bottle of Campolongo di Torbe 2011
A classic Amarone from one of the top Amarone houses, Masi. Its renowned historic vineyard has a history dating back to the 12th century. 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara, vinified in the traditional ‘appassimento’ style, where grapes are partially dried (ie. become raisin-like) before a lengthy 45-day fermentation period. The wine spends three years in a mixture of Slavonian and Allier oak casks, and six months in bottle before release. Ready to drink now or can be cellared for up to 30 years.
Elegant and complex aromas of fruit preserved in spirit and spices on the nose. A firm and well balanced structure comes through on the palate, with smooth and silky tannins, and an ample level of alcohol well integrated into the whole. Long and intense on the finish with hints of cherries preserved in spirit and spices.
Ideal drunk on its own after dinner. Also very good with red meats, game, quail and other tasty dishes. Excellent with mature cheeses such as parmesan and pecorino. The softness of the wine also makes it a good match with gorgonzola.
Majestic, £110 (mix six for £99)
Show your love: With a bottle of La Bohème Act Four Syrah Gamay 2016
The Yarra Valley’s very own opera diva, Dame Nellie Melba, enchanted the world as Mimi in ‘La Boheme’, an opera in four acts based on Scènes de la vie moderne by Henri Murger (a collection of young bohemians’ portraits in the Latin Quarter of 1840s Paris).
From the same Yarra Valley, De Bortoli’s La Bohème pays tribute to Melba with a range of four unusual but flavourful wines.
This blend of Syrah and Gamay has an aromatic nose of red fruits and dry herb with earthy, mineral complexity. It has supple and textural cherry and forest notes with lots of spices. The dramatic end of La Bohème is mirrored by a fruit forward and wild aroma-full wine…
A delicious, juicy red that is hugely versatile with food. Ideal with light meat such as chicken, or richer meat such as duck. Also lovely with charcuterie or a simple vegetable tart. Its juiciness means you can even serve it slightly chilled.
Richard Granger Wines, £14.40
On a budget: Reserve des Tuguets Madiran 2015
Situated in the South-West, on the borders of Gascony and Béarn, the Madiran region is a beautiful, rustic, tucked away part of South West France. Highlighted in the press for its “healthy” qualities (very high level of antioxidants!), Madiran is now well known for being the expression of a true terroir, very much preserved and still authentic.
Red purple colour with violet hints. Intense bouquet dominated by dark fruit and toasted notes, with some hints of leather on the finish with hints of pepper, liquorice and mint. Ideal with meats; the perfect wine for a grilled steak.
£6.50, Tesco
Something different: The Ned Noble 2015
Situated in the Waihopai Valley in beautiful scenic Marlborough, the vineyard is comprised of a complex range of soils. Grapes hang on the vine for longer than regular Sauvignon Blanc wines, and are affected by a mould called “botrytis”, praised so highly that is also known as Noble Rot (which produces Sauternes, some of the most famous sweet wines in the world), which intensifies sweetness and adds complexity to the wine.
A warm, rich, bouquet of citrus zest, peach nectar and apricot stone. A combination of luscious golden stone fruits and orange and grapefruit marmalade continues on the palate.
Majestic, £14.99 (12.99 for mix 6)
Something for later: Old Boys barrel aged tawny
With an average age of 21 years, Old Boys port is a wonderfully complex and smooth after dinner drink.
De Bertoli has an extensive collection of good wine stocks maturing in barrel, and these bottles are selected from the finest barrels of the past 21 years.
Before the port is aged, fruit is allowed to stay on the vine until very sweet making for an intense concentration of flavours.
It results in a sweet and medium bodied wine.
Aromas of dark raisined fruits, mocha and hints of vanillin oak hit you from the off, with a rich, luscious palate that has a delicate but long finish.
