Wines for Father's Day

Big and powerful, smelling of wood smoke, spice and pepper, leather and tobacco; this description could equally apply to wine as to the macho man in your life.

With Father's Day on the horizon, and with fabulous local lamb now at its peak for a celebratory roast, or grilled on the BBQ if the weather if fine enough, my recommendations this month are for your favourite hunter, gatherer, carnivore.


Top choice for me has to be the renowned Chateau Musar 2004, 13% abv, and available locally for £31.50. Made by the Hochar family in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, vines have been cultivated in the region for over 6,000 years; this remote and unspoilt location, along with the hand-harvesting of the grapes by local Bedouins, ensured these wines achieved ‘organic’ status long before we'd ever coined the term.

Seven years in the making, and aged for one year in French oak barrrels, all of Musar's wines are unfined and unfiltered, and therefore suitable for vegans. Dominated by the black fruit flavours of the Bordeaux grape Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhône grapes Cinsault and Carignan provide a supple spiciness. Variations from vintage to vintage retain the emphatic Lebanese style, and with time the wines become mellow and take on a tawny hue; the resulting wine smooth on the palate with aromas of tobacco, spice and mocha.

Richly-textured, the 'crust’ formed in older wines is a common feature so these wines should be carefully decanted before drinking.

Closer to home, and back in Europe, try the Syrah and Grenache dominated Serabel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 14% abv, from the Southern Rhône, at just £18. A complex and distinctive wine, smooth and supple in texture with well integrated tannins. On the palate look for pronounced pepper, spice, black cherry, tar, leather and roasted nut flavours.


An aged Rioja, with its spicy character achieved through extended barrel ageing, Viňa Ardanza produce a fine Rioja Reserva from the La Rioja Alta region. Try the 2004, 13.5% abv, available for around £22, and with an earthy, woody spice complexity.


A preference for white? Then try the award winning Marques de Caceres Rioja Blanco 'Antea' Barrel Fermented 2012 13% abv, at just £11.

It's good to know that feedback from readers of Society indicate that the column is well read, and that on my recommendation, someone did indeed purchase the magnificent Hennessy Paradis Cognac for just £295, a real bargain. 
 
Next month, look out for sparkling alternatives to champagne to celebrate summer picnics and weddings, as we start to enjoy the long awaited sunshine.


Linda Piggott-Vijeh of Service Matters has been advising the hospitality industry on food and wine for almost three decades and, in addition to conducting regular tastings, she has a 100% pass rate for her WSET exam courses.