A Father’s Day song, written to the tune of “My Favorite Things”
Bottles of rosé and glasses with bubbles;
Merlot with lamb chops
To help with your troubles;
Chardonnay opened just in time for the spring
These are a few of my favorite things.Wines by the cases or just a lone bottle;
Delicate pinot
Or reds of full throttle;
Decanters and corkscrews are all on my list
I guess that by now you’re all getting the gist.When the cork’s stuck;
When the glass breaks;
When I’m feeling blue;
I simply remember it’s Father’s Day now
And know I’ll get something new!
If this new twist on a classic tune puts you in the gift-buying mood for Father’s Day, then mission accomplished.
Personally, all of my children are grown and living somewhere out West, but age and distance hopefully won’t stop them from throwing a card in the mail or sending a small token of their appreciation for the stellar job I did as a parent. (Alright, my wife did most of the heavy lifting, but I did take them to all of their early morning hockey practices.)
Maybe this year, they’ll even pay for that gift with their own money.
Whether you have a father of your own on your list, or you are a proud member of the Father’s Day club yourself — and need to provide a few hints to family members — here are a few ideas that any wine-loving parent would be happy to unwrap on June 17:
Does dad like hanging out on the beach or going to the park for picnics? If so, the Wine Bottle & Cup Standing Holder Rack will hold a bottle of wine and two wineglasses (not included) in style. Each bottle holder has three removable sticks so that you can adjust the height to your needs. The set is compact, lightweight and extremely easy to set up and come with its own carrying bag. It is ideal for barbecue gatherings, outdoor festivals, beach excursions, camping holidays, pool parties and more. $19
Is dear ol’ dad tuckered out from opening all of his wine bottles by hand? Well, the Oster Electric Wine Bottle Opener is the perfect combination of wine opener and cordless gadget. This electric wine bottle opener removes corks at the touch of a button. When fully charged, its cordless operation easily opens up to 30 bottles of wine, and sits in the compact recharging base for convenience and mobility. Available at most home goods stores and online for $18
If dad is more of the cerebral type, a book about wine and literature might do the trick. “The Booklovers’ Guide To Wine: A Celebration of the History, the Mysteries and the Literary Pleasures of Drinking Wine,” by Patrick Alexander, is a fun and informative book that marries the author’s twin pleasures of wine and writing. For the past six years, Alexander has been teaching a sold-out wine appreciation class in Coral Gables, Florida, where he blends his passion for the culture and history of wine and his love of literature for the world’s great writers. A literary twist on traditional food and wine pairings, this book explores how great wines and great writers can be combined to enhance the enjoyment of both. The book describes the history of wine from the time of Noah, to the birth of “two-buck Chuck.” It explores the significance of terroir and varietal, the differences between Old World and New World wines, and explains why England, a small island with almost no vineyards, is such a dominant force in the world of wine. Paperback edition on Amazon is $15
Last, but certainly not least, if dad just wants to kick back and grill a steak, then maybe a big red wine from the modern-day “father of zinfandel” is the perfect gift. In 1976, Joel Peterson bought some grapes in Sonoma and made around 325 cases of wine. And it was good. It was very good. So he did it again, and again and again. Ravenswood took flight and became one of the iconic producers of Zinfandel in America, even being honored by the Smithsonian Institution in 2012 with an exhibit featuring his wine. So give dad a bottle of the 2014 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Vineyard from Sonoma, California. The juxtaposition of ripe boysenberry, sweet cherry and blueberry liqueur flavors against the spicy, peppery frame provides a wonderfully balanced contrast between richness and rustic. The long, brambly finish fans out across the entire palate. It is a wonderful sidekick to both steak and ribs. $60
