Manly Wines for Dad | Suite101.com

It's easy to ascribe gender to wines. Who would think of Petite Sirah as anything but a masculine wine, with its thick muscular texture and rich, no nonsense taste. Viognier, on the other hand, is as feminine as wines ever get, with grace, delicacy, and great complexity. Roussanne (does that sound like a woman's name?) is even made in a dessert style, adding sweetness to the mix. Men generally dislike being considered sweet unless they happen to be liberated from the stereotypes of masculinity. So leave the sweet wines off Dad's list, unless he happens to be a lover of port. Port is the most masculine of sweet wines; vintage ports possess a backbone of tannin which manly men find reassuring. Also, port wine is associated with cigars, strong cheeses and other masculine venues.

So it's time to buy wines for Dad, and you're wondering which ones are the safest bet. Well, if he's a John Wayne type, give him a fine barolo. This is a wine which is just terrific with roasted wild boar, a suitable meat for a real man. The trouble with barolos is that the good ones take a couple of decades of ageing before they can be approached by any but the toughest of dads. If you're unsure that your dad possesses a leather-lined palate, try a cabernet sauvignon. Not one of those wimpy ones that even a woman can warm up to; get him a Grand Cru Bordeaux from a great vintage, like 1989. Those wines won't come around much before 2005, but then, isn't that just like a man? Sometimes these monster Bordeaux start out showing great promise, but never really come around (like the vintage of 1966). Sound familiar?

Here are some suggestions which are sure to please any wine-loving dad:

Expensive, World-Class ($50-90)

Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag's Leap Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon
Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Moderately Priced, but Terrific ($35-50)

Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Phelps Insignia
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasty Bargains (around $20)

Adelaida Cabernet Sauvignon San Luis Obispo County
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon San Luis Obispo County
Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

Forget the merlot, pinot noir, and muscat canelli. They're either too soft, too fruity, too complicated, or too perfumey for most Dads.

Happy Father's Day to all dads.

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9. Jun 11, 1998 10:37 PM
I don't know, Alan. I find myself winding down at 3 with a sip of the grape - and it's usually what you call plonk.

You'll find that Gay and I keep odd hours. In fact the night she was finishing he ...

-- posted by CarolWallace

8. Jun 11, 1998 10:32 PM
4 am? ...and you were supping of the grapes? Oh, dear. It must be those delicious Tasmanian wines.

Alan Boehmer California
Wine ...

-- posted by CalWine

7. Jun 11, 1998 2:10 PM
Next time I visit and sup of the grapes, I will try to remember your name better :-[ Could it have been that it was 4am? Many apologies, Gay

...

-- posted by Gay_Klok

6. Jun 11, 1998 1:44 PM
Well, Alan, I must say, I have to tell you I am impressed. Well written and very informative! I love wine, but don't know much about the different vintages, vintners, et cetera. So, I'm planning on "s ...

-- posted by Parrot_Lady

5. Jun 11, 1998 1:06 PM
Syrah and Shiraz are the same varietal. Rosemount favors the Syrah designation; most others use Shiraz. This varietal has found a home in Oz unlike any other place in the world. The great Syrahs of th ...

-- posted by CalWine

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