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Top Tipples for Father’s Day

13 Jun, 2018

 

Father’s Day is fast approaching, but what do you get the old man? Well, if he likes a tipple then let’s see if we can find an answer to that question…

For the wine rack:

Champagne

Champagne: It’s pretty much perfect for any and every occasion. There are the supermarket staples and big name brands, but why not give your dad a little bit of history with a bottle from the oldest wine house in Champagne?

Gosset Champagne first appeared in the 18th Century, but the House of Gosset can trace its roots as far back as 1584 – nearly as far back as your father, perhaps?!

The 2006 Grand Millésime Brut is a wonderful pinot-dominated champagne, full of floral and plum notes on the nose with lemon joining the party on the palate before a slightly salty finish – tremendous stuff!

RRP £69 but on offer for £57 from Mr Wheeler

English Pink Fizz

If your dad is more of the ‘Dad’s Army’ patriotic type, the Balfour-Lynn family at Hush Heath Estate in Kent may have the ideal bubbly gift. Their Balfour Brut Rosé, made using the three traditional Champagne grapes, is arguably “England’s most exclusive pink fizz” and has won several awards to back that claim up. Think citrus, redcurrant and a hint of English strawberry on the nose, acidity joining red berry fruits on the palate and a long refreshing finish. This is a real cracker of an English sparkler and, with its considerable ageing potential, your dad could enjoy it at once or stash it away for a rainy day. If you’re unsure about giving him a bottle of blush, we all know real men wear pink, so surely they drink pink too…

RRP £35.99 from Waitrose

Powerful Italian Red

If you want to keep things a little more classic, then a big, powerful Italian red is the ideal present for Father’s Day. Barolo is one of Italy’s great wines, and there is something really special about this fine wine made from the Nebbiolo grape in Piedmont. They have a distinctive aroma and flavour profile, commonly including tar, rose and woody herbs, which is unlike anything else.

Independent wine shops and good supermarkets alike usually have a decent selection. Look out for ‘Riserva’ on the label, which means the wine has been aged for at least 5 years, allowing the tannins to soften somewhat. Whichever you end up choosing, it’ll be a special wine for a special man! Try Monsperone Barolo Riserva 2007. Those extra years in the bottle will have already softened the wood and fruit tannins to make it delightfully mellow.

RRP £40 from Laithwaites

winerist father day

For the home bar:

Gin

Gin has experienced a remarkable resurgence over the last few years and can’t be overlooked for Father’s Day. Cotswolds Dry Gin is a delicious, award-winning craft gin with a unique blend of 9 botanicals, including fresh lime and grapefruit peel as well as lavender that’s grown locally. The guys at the distillery pack a whopping ten times the volume of botanicals into their copper still to maximise richness. They also avoid cold filtering their juniper nectar, maintaining a high density of essential oils, which means that when ice is added they bind together and turn the gin cloudy. This concentrates the flavours and makes this gin a truly special one, worthy of your dad’s glass. Full of grapefruit, pine, citrus and bay, this is a wonderful gin that really stands out, and would make the perfect gift on Father’s Day.

RRP £34.75 from Master of Malt

Whisky

If your dad is more of a whisky drinker than a G&T lover, why not push the boat out and venture to the Far East, by getting him a bottle of Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky? This splendid blend of malt and grain whiskies is delightfully delicate and is an interesting alternative to the more traditional Scottish and Irish whiskies.

Hibiki is wonderfully fragrant. Scents of rose, rosemary and sandalwood are followed by honey and marmalade on the palate and a long finish with hints of toasted oak. Fantastic Father’s Day fodder!

RRP £62.50 from WaitroseCellar

English Red Vermouth

For the dad who loves a naughty cocktail now and again, Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex has what it takes to cure his Negroni thirst: Rosso Vermouth. The wizards at this English winery have foraged the fruits and botanicals of their vineyard hedgerows to create a truly unique drink that sings of the countryside. If you want to give a gift that’s a little bit different then this has to be it!

RRP £19 from Bolney’s website.

We hope this has inspired you to reach for something a little different for dad this year! If you’re looking for experiences however, why not take him on a private wine tour in Kent from London? or visit to the Uk’s first Sake brewery in London? With fine drinks, the choice is endless. Chin chin!

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