Life

Treat your dad to his favourite wine for Father's Day

WITH Father’s Day tomorrow, it’s time to show your dad you care by treating him to his favourite drink. If you haven’t got anything by now then you need to be thinking local and the big supermarkets have some great deals on at the minute. Tempt his palate with a bottle of wine – whether he prefers rich reds, refreshing whites or crisp rosés you will not be stuck.

If he likes a wine that packs a bit of a punch then Chateauneuf Du Pape Grande Reserve, Asda, £8.97 is a great all-rounder. It’s a French Grande Réserve with an intense nose with aromas of dark berries, cherry and spice. The wine is soft and rich, giving dark fruit flavours with hints of wild herbs and spice.

Viña Mara Rioja Gran Reserva, Spain 2007, Tesco, £11.49. In Rioja a wine must spend at least two years in oak and three in bottle, before it can qualify as a Gran Reserva. The definition is more about style than quality, but Baron de Ley’s Tesco own-label is consistently and classically strawberry – mellow, savoury and soft. A rich, mature flavour with raspberry and spice notes with a long finish.

Pinot noir, by contrast, is praised for sharing the transparent quality that allows the land to shine through the wine. Paul Cluver Pinot Noir, M&S, £12 is a winner. Aromas of red fruits mix with with roasted spices followed by a silky palate of ripe plums resulting in a medium-bodied wine with soft edges. It’s a finely balanced Pinot Noir to compete on the world stage.

Chardonnay tends to get a lot of bad press but at the same time lots of people really enjoy it. If your dad appreciates his Chardonnay then Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Limoux Chardonnay, Sainsbury’s, £8 ticks all the boxes. Limoux, a wild corner of the Languedoc filled with soaring eagles, oak trees and small villages, turns out some extremely good chardonnay. This is a a fresh tasting chardonnay, perfect for an aperitif with some light bites. It is full of zesty orchard fruit and sun-ripened peaches.

If you are on a budget and looking for a bit of fizz to celebrate the occasion, try Domaine les Terres de Beausoleil, Blanquette de Limoux. £6.99, Lidl. Although made in an area of France more traditionally known for its red wines, Limoux has always made good quality sparkling wines as well. This is a dry, brisk, refreshing drink... and competitively priced as well. Just the ticket for a family summer gathering.