Are you looking for something just a little bit more adventurous than a Number 1 Dad mug or box of chocolates for Father’s Day on Sunday [June 20]?
Fear not, James Viner has a tasty selection of quality bottles. These five brilliant boozy drink-related recommendations are designed to keep pops happy…
1) Classy Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon For A Classic Roast Leg Of Lamb
Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Margaret River, Australia (Tesco, £10)
tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/255635117
Elegant and supple, this polished Margaret River Cabernet is not big but it doesn’t need to be. There’s ample flavour on offer – mulberry, bay leaf, forest berries, blackcurrant, cassis, minted chocolate and mocha are all in the mix, along with melded tannins – and it has more than enough length to satisfy. Sophisticated, supple and full of character – just like dad! Not a hair out of place.
A very useful Tesco buy indeed. Get your ribeye steak or Bœuf à la Gardiane on and serve to your father. Hello Fuller’s butchers!
Alc 14%
2) Funky White For The Adventurous Dad Made By An American From Kent-Grown Grapes In An Urban Winery In London
Blackbook Winery, ‘The Mixup’ Redhill Farm Estate 2018, Kent & London (The Wine Society, £14.50, offer) thewinesociety.com/shop/ProductDetail.aspx?pd=EN1411
The Wine Society just took a walk on the wild side, readers. Boom! Crafted by an American at a celebrated urban winery in Battersea, this textural white has tangy refreshment in spades. It’s an original, less-matured, lowish-alcohol, partially skin-fermented, unfined and unfiltered 50:50 ‘mix-up’ of Kent-grown Bacchus and Ortega – two cherished early-ripening German crossings.
An ambassador for English quality (also check out Blackbook’s textbook ‘Painter of Light’ Chardonnay) to pour for English Wine Week [June 19-27] and a mouth-watering treat to delight your hipster pa. Think elderflowers, hedgerows, nettles, plus a hint of almond, clove and cinnamon.
Alc 10.5%
3) Must-Try Limited Edition Aldi Gin Inspired By The Myths And Legends Of The Summer Solstice
Elements by Haysmith’s Eclipse Gin, England (Aldi, £14.99)
Part of Aldi’s June spirits festival and an enormous £20 less than the Hendrick’s counterpart from Sainsbury’s, this zesty and silky gin is a lightning strike of sheer junipery, citrusy and peppery refreshment. Superb value for a great all-rounder for this summer, it’s certain to enhance pop’s home bartending skills and take everyone on a gin-spiring journey through an English garden on a balmy solstice night.
Makes a glorious, light and elegant G&T to satisfy juniper purists. Or sip neat over ice with an orange slice. Terrific value.
Alc 40%
4) Fleshy Pink Provençal Perfection To Perfectly Partner A Multitude Of Dishes
Château La Mascaronne, Côtes de Provence Rosé 2020, France (Hedonism, Wines with Attitude, Harvey Nichols and others, £17.50-£22)
hedonism.co.uk/product/chateau-la-mascaronne-2020
wineswithattitude.co.uk/country/france/provence-rose-wine.html
harveynichols.com/brand/chateau-la-mascaronne
Treat dad this Father’s Day to a really chic bottle of organic, pale, dry rosé de Provence. From the Mediterranean coast to the foothills of the Alps, and from Aix-en-Provence to Nice’s celebrated Riviera, Provence’s picturesque vineyards stretch across approximately 120 miles. Last year 166 million bottles of AOP wines (equivalent to 1,246,010 hl in volume) were produced, 91% of which were rosé, 5% were red, and 4% white wine.
Located in the rolling hills just outside the medieval village of Le Luc, 40km to the northwest of St Tropez, Château La Mascaronne adopted sustainable farming methods in 1999 and the estate’s vineyard has been certified organic since 2016. Here, textbook hawthorn, white peach, red plum, redcurrant, strawberry, watermelon and a touch of herbs careen to a long, suave finish.
One for a lamb, saffron and apricot tagine with a parsley, roasted red pepper and feta couscous, perhaps? No matter how you’re rejoicing on Father’s Day, this refined bottle made from Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Vermentino from vineyards at 300 metres by top rosé winemaker Nathalie Longefay has X-factor up to its eyeballs. Drinking it is a treat. Same owner as St-Estèphe Classed Growth Cos d’Estournel. Outstanding. Lap this one up.
Alc 13.5%
5) Must-Try Fruity Rum
Arlu Passionfruit & Mango Rum (Master of Malt & Arlu Rum £22.95-£25)
masterofmalt.com/rum/arlu/arlu-passionfruit-and-mango-rum
arlurum.com/products/rum-1
Whilst long haul hols aren’t conceivable – ARLU Rum is ideal for conveying that slice of exotic bliss right to dad’s home. Caribbean born, Manchester made, these spirits are imported from the award-winning Demerara Diamond distillery in Georgetown, Guyuana, but created in the heart of Salford. Truly fruity and lustrous with passionfruit and mango pizzazz (and much less sweet than some), set sail for a new rum frontier. Daiquiris o’clock for dad (just grab some lime zest and a lime wedge).
50cl, Alc 40%
Follow James on Twitter: twitter.com/QuixoticWine
