Wine gifts for Father’s Day

I’VE been reminded recently that not all dads are into DIY and or gardening and would like to be pampered like mums on Mother’s Day with a delicious bottle of wine carefully chosen to complement a homecooked meal or receive a gift of a gadget that may or may not be really useful!

This year Father’s Day is on June 16, so there’s plenty of time to search around for a special gift to show dad how much you care.

There are a plethora of wine-related gadgets available now. Besides traditional corkscrews and pourers look out for foil cutters that make capsule removal a doddle or wine stoppers should there be anything left in the bottle.

Wine preservers can help preserve the remains of a bottle though they may not be necessary if the cork is replaced as soon as the last glass is poured and the wine placed out of direct sunlight in a cool environment – all nice things to have, just in case!

One of the more unusual gifts for those dads who love a wee dram are some of the less well-known single malts rather than the every day brands. The same can be said for Cognac and Armagnac too.

A traditional Sunday lunch with all the trimmings is likely to be appreciated and there are many wines to choose from that would accompany this menu.

Pinot Noir is the grape of choice if you’re looking to complement lamb or pork. Lovely soft mushroomy oaky notes with balancing acidity and soft tannins make a classic Burgundy a good choice if budget allows, including wines from producers such as Latour or Jadot: Savigny les Beaunes or Marsannay.

There are also good Pinots from the South of France such as Les Volets Pinot Noir at under £10 from Languedoc Roussillon which is a classic Pinot with more mouth-filling richness and a hint of peppers and spice on the finish.

Alternatively look to New Zealand for soft ripe mouthfilling Pinots for wines to go with spicy roasts or other meat dishes.

Staying in New Zealand some of the more structured reds from Syrah such as that from Esk Valley or the Mata in Hawkes Bay are great with beef as those wines from the Rhone Valley also made from Syrah without the heady richness of the Aussie Shiraz from the Barossa Valley such as the Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz or The Opportunist that are great with rich meaty casseroles or even a curry with their complementary robust spicy fruit notes.

Why not treat your Dad to a quality Piemonte Barolo, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, or claret? The list goes on, but one thing they all have in common is that they all look good in special gift packaging whether it’s a gift bag, box or wooden carton.

If it’s too difficult to decide, why not treat your dad to a gift voucher so they can enjoy making their own selection, available at a range of values and giving them the option of choosing a bottle or a gadget?