Father’s Day is the one day of the year we thank dads for everything they do. It takes a special man to be a dad and a well-chosen Father’s Day gift shows him just how much he is appreciated. Few Father’s Day gifts are savored as much as a bottle of fine wine and with a little forethought, selecting the perfect wine for dad’s special day can be a snap.
Consider the dad receiving the gift – his personality, his style and his preferences. Whether he is an occasional wine drinker or a wine aficionado, his fundamental nature should guide your wine selection. Wine is all about pleasure and the best Father’s Day wine gift will be the one that gives your particular dad the most pleasure.
Then pick the wine. No need to stress; your instincts are sure to be right. And giving wine is easy – no sizes to consider, no assembly required, no potential obsolescence and only three colors from which to choose!
Is dad a gregarious guy who enjoys a good celebration? Then a sparkler should be the perfect Father’s Day gift. Korbel California Brut and Sweet Rose are always in good taste, while a dad with a sophisticated palate would appreciate receiving a bottle of Korbel Russian River Natural. If you are delivering a gift of bubbly on Father’s Day, you probably should chill the bottle first, because dad will almost certainly pop the cork for his guests!
Dads of a casual bent appreciate wines geared towards casual enjoyment. Valley of the Moon Winery Unoaked Chardonnay and Kenwood Vineyards Moscato Zacchera – the former dry, the latter sweet – are easy-drinking white wine choices, while Valley of the Moon Winery Rosato di Sangiovese is sure to please dads who prefer pink. On the red side, casual means vibrant and fruity, and fruit-forward wines like Lake Sonoma Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County Zinfandel and Valley of the Moon Winery Sonoma County Sangiovese fill the bill nicely.
Some dads seem to do everything well, adeptly pairing wine with food, and gifting such dads wines they can enjoy with their favorite dishes makes sense. Dry white wines like Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc, Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County Chardonnay or Valley of the Moon Winery Sonoma County Pinot Blanc are great with food, as are reds like Valley of the Moon Winery Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, Kenwood Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Lake Sonoma Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County Merlot.
Lots of dads are collectors; sports memorabilia, action figures, coins, antiques, records and – of course – wine. For those dads, a collectible wine is always a welcome gift on Father’s Day. A bottle (or several) of Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Valley of the Moon Winery Cuvee de la Luna or Kenwood Vineyards Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is sure to a find cherished place in his wine cellar.
Then there are men who – by personality or preference – know wine just isn’t for them. Many of these dads take pleasure in the warmth and forceful character of brandy or other distilled spirits – whether served on their own, in mixed drinks or in cocktails. Since Father’s Day is all about dad, gift accordingly. A fine brandy like Korbel Gold Reserve VSOP offers rich, complex character that can be appreciated neat or over ice. For dads whose tastes lean towards mixed drinks and cocktails, a flavorful specialty distilled spirit like Korbel XS Brandy – infused with vanilla and natural orange essence – is sure to add new dimensions to his favorites.
As a Father’s Day gift, fine wine and spirits are as easy to give as they are to select. Most wine shops and supermarkets have colorful wine bags to dress up your gift bottles, as well as cards for your Father’s Day message. Fine wine is surprisingly affordable, so be generous. After all, giving multiple bottles means dad may open one to share with you!
Happy Father’s Day!