Dad’s the Man! Happy Father’s Day

• Posted on 5 June 2024
• Posted in California, Carignan, france, grenache, Italy, mouvedre, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, spain, Syrah
• 0

Along with cars and boats, wine is yet another inanimate object that is often anthropomorphized, meaning it is ascribed to human characteristics. People frequently describe wine in terms that evoke human qualities, such as calling a wine "elegant," "bold," or "youthful." This anthropomorphism can enhance the enjoyment and appreciation of wine, as it adds a layer of personality and character to the tasting experience.

Just as car enthusiasts might refer to a car as having a "soul," or boats as having "grace," wine lovers often speak of wines as having moods, personalities, and even life stories. This tendency to humanize wine reflects the deep connection people feel with it, seeing it not just as a beverage but as something with a distinct presence and identity. Therefore, choosing wine as a Father's Day gift can be particularly meaningful, as it resonates on a personal level, and celebrates the nuanced character that wine can represent. By selecting a wine that matches your father's unique tastes and personality, you are giving more than just a drink; you are offering an experience imbued with thoughtfulness and shared appreciation.

By and large, the wine world, still old-school and traditional in some of its thinking, defines “masculine” wine as “wines with firmness, power and strength," and “feminine” wines as having “smoothness, roundness, gentleness, finesse, elegance and delicacy.” These terms are meant to be a reflection of style and not commentary on any one being better than the other. Wines are often described as “masculine” if they have more body, alcohol, tannin, and intense flavors.

While there are always exceptions, “masculine” wines tend to include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Barolo. These grapes (Nebbiolo is the grape for Barolo and is often called the “The King of Wines.”) all have thick skins and produce full-bodied wines with intense flavors and high alcohol levels. They all take well to oak, and generally improve with barrel and bottle aging. These wines often need food (think steak!) to help balance and smooth their intense tannins.

If you are looking for a masculine wine for Dad for Father’s Day, here are a few suggestions:

The 2020 Legado del Moncayo Montana Vendimia Seleccionada from Campo de Borja, Spain, is a 100 percent Grenache with red cherry, boysenberry, and black cherry aromas, supported by strawberry, fennel, blueberry, and raspberry flavors. The vibrancy of the ripe berries and spices pairs wonderfully with smoky, savory grilled meats and vegetables. There is a balance between acidity and moderate tannins that enhances the overall dining experience, appealing to both wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers. Additionally, Campo de Borja wines offer excellent quality at an affordable price, making them an accessible, yet sophisticated choice.

The 2019 Fernandez de Pierola Crianza from Rioja, Spain, would be option number two. In the world of Spanish wine, Crianza indicates that a wine has been aged for at least two years, of which at least one year of that time is in barrel. Winemakers can choose to extend this as they like as in the case of this wine. What does that mean in flavor profile? More oak is expressed with flavors of red cherry, raspberry, smoke, cedar, vanilla, earth, and sweet tobacco. The 2019 vintage is a bit of age that then drives some stewed blue-black fruit, balsamic, and leather impression.

Flipping over to France, we will be tasting the  2022 Domaine du Bois de Saint Jean L'Intrépide from Côtes du Rhône. There is a fun funkiness of Rhone varietals that plays well with the smoke of a grill. This blend has 50 percent grenache, 30 percent Syrah, 15 percent Mourvèdre, and 5 percent Carignan. When grapes grow together, they tend to blend together, and each brings something to the blend. The grenache adds ripe cherry, raspberry, and spice along with smooth tannin textures. The Syrah brings deeper blackberry and black plum savoriness, along with structure of big tannins. The Carignan enhances the blend with acidity, rustic red fruit, and earthy tones. Think of this wine for your steaks, burgers, gilled lamb, sausages or gilled vegetables.

And finally, the 2020 Scheid Family Wines VDR Very Dark Red Estate Grown from Hames Valley (Monterey County), California. Something from this side of the pond, we have a blend of 60 percent Petit Verdot (PV) and 40 percent Petite Sirah. California’s PV is quite different than Virginia’s. California PV brings rich, concentrated black fruit flavors such as blackberry, black plum, and jam texture-flavors. Often, it will have floral notes of violets, and contributes boldness, structure, and firm tannins. Petite Sirah softens the blend with chewy blueberry, black cherry, and pepper spice flavors. It also brings a deep inky color. This is a fairly intense wine, so take some time to decant for a little while your ribeye steaks, barbecue ribs, and portobello mushrooms are on the grill.

Days are moving along this year. Hope you all take time to enjoy these family moments. Happy Father’s Day! Cheers!