Beer may be the obvious drink of choice for dad (and winemaker’s FYI) but if looking for something different or special for this Father’s Day we’ve got you covered. As a Sommelier, I’ve seen my fair share of dad’s proudly bringing their cellar gems to share with their families for special occasions. Wine is packaged and made to share so cheers to all you wine loving dads out there. Here are some great picks to help you find the perfect wine gift for dad.
I don’t know how many times I’ve argued the fact that Ontario wineries make drinkable and delicious red wines, so yes I will be sharing some of my favourite Ontario wine for dad. With an ever growing local wine industry right here in Ontario, there are more ways to access the choice bottles than ever with many new online wine shops, wine clubs, and ways to purchase wine then ever before. You can even buy unique wines not available in the LCBO directly from wine agencies. With so many ways to buy wine, here are some dad friendly wines listed by winery that can be delivered across the GTA and Ontario.
Fielding is a family owned and operated winery that resembles a lodge, with stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and Lake Ontario. Perched up on the higher part of the small, but well known Beamsville Bench. On a clear day you can even watch Toronto appear against a backdrop of vines and water. The winery is run by Heidi & Curtis Fielding – and Richie Roberts has been their long time winemaker. Heidi and Curtis have 2 boys, whereas Richie has 2 girls you can find running around the winery at times. When I think of “Wine Dads” this winery pops right into mind with their always family friendly approach and welcoming tasting bar.
Richie is a great neighbour, he drops off coffee when you are out working late during harvest, and his wines feel just as friendly, and welcoming as he is. The team at the winery are big cottagers – so they have started experimenting with cider at the winery. They now have various kinds of local Ontario cider available, including a special Father’s Day Special Cider Pack.
Made from locally sourced Niagara Apples ranging from: Northern Spy, Golden Russet, Honey Crisp and more, the ciders are made to be fruit forward but not sweet. The light and crisp the Fielding Craft Cider is even fermented in neutral oak to give it more complexity and roundness.
Cider may be my go to canned beverage of choice – but back to wine, the real reason we’re here. Fielding Estate Winery makes a wide range of wines with wines priced from $13.95 to $80.95 and they have 3 red blends that are perfect for dad.
The Fireside Red ($15.95) – has been made for nearly a decade and each year the blend changes slightly but is typically cabernet forward. With the power of cabernet sauvignon and elegance of cabernet franc, the Fireside Red is a great patio sipper or as the name says, by a fire (indoor or out!). The Cabernet Sauvignon provides the fuller flavours with the classic notes of red berry fruit where’s the Cabernet Franc provides the savoury herbs, with hints of cedar and vanilla from the oak aging you’ve got a killer wine for $15.95
The Red Conception ($22.15) – is another red blend but this time Syrah forward, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Merlot and Malbec are also added to round out the wine, with the Merlot adding it’s smooth velvety texture and Malbec adding dark berry fruits. With longer aging then the Fireside Red this wine is quite complex for $22.15. Syrah is a go to BBQ or grilled meat wine because Syrah wines classically show flavours of smoked meat and black cracked pepper.
The Rock Pile Red ($25.15) – is a Merlot dominant red wine and here’s a secret, Merlot is France’s most planted grape for a reason. So all you Merlot haters, take a breathe and just try some damn Merlot. Merlot has gotten a bad rap for being too simple and pop culture (hi Hollywood) but in fact it’s glue that brings everyone together. Renowned for it’s silky smooth texture Merlot is a go to for winemakers because it unites various grapes so beautifully. So go ahead and enjoy some Merlot.
Other delicious wines to consider for Dad:
2016 Syrah – $55.15 – Single Vineyard delicious Syrah from the Lowrey Vineyard in St. David’s Bench.
2017 Sauvignon Blanc – $20.15 – because even dads like white wine
Does your dad love Burgundy wines (i.e. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay)? Look no further than the delicious wines from relative newcomer Domaine Queylus. I say relative newcomer since many outside the industry don’t recognize this winery when I recommend it, but they instantly fall in love. I used to purchase the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir when I was making the wine list at Antler in Toronto. It was “go to” for food and wine events for it’s crowd pleasing abilities. Thomas Bachelder, a well known Ontario winemaker, is the Founding and Consulting Winemaker, but day to day it’s superstar Kelly Mason who helms the winemaking.
With over 6 vintages under her belt at Domaine Queylus (lovingly referred to as DQ) the wines are superbly consistent and top notch every year. Some vintages in Ontario can be extra challenging – but there are consistently high quality wines being made here regardless of the growing conditions.
It’s hard to pick a favourite because I love all the wines but here are my favourites for dad. Fair warning – they have 3 different labels of each Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, so select whichever one suits your budget. You truly can’t go wrong here:
The “Signature” Series are built for everyday drink and are restaurant quality wines without hurting your wallet. The Signature Chardonnay has a kiss of French oak so it is round and complex but not overly oakey. This wine will truly surprise you how long and rich the mouthfeel is without being over the top. Balance is key here.
The Signature Pinot Noir delivers the classic flavours of fine Pinot Noir – earth driven, sour to red cherry fruit flavours and that je ne sais quoi of what makes great Pinot – Pinot. With subtle oak, you can tell the fine work done in the vineyard and in the winery on this wine.
The “Tradition” wines are a slight step up from the Signature wines, and these wines are available by the bottle vs by the case so you can pick and choose how many you’d like. (another great benefit of shopping local!)
If Pinot Noir or Chardonnay aren’t your dad’s favourite wines, then check out their stunning Cabernet Franc. Cab Franc grows beautifully here in Ontario and is quickly becoming a classic here. The 2017 Tradition Cabernet Franc is quite elegant and has been aged for over 16 months in French Oak. If you’d like more body than Pinot Noir this Cabernet Franc is a must try. It has savoury pepper notes and flavours of roasted herb, dark berries and a hint of spice.
Is your dad larger than life? Or the kind of guy where bigger is better? Domaine Queylus is one of the few wineries in Niagara that have big bottles for sale. They have Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot in magnums. You can be the hero of Father’s day and maybe count on him opening the bottle with you – big bottles are for sharing.
Looking for big bold wines? Look no further than Two Sisters located along the Niagara River in Niagara On The Lake. Two Sisters Vineyards is headed by Winemaker Adam Pearce, who works day and night to get the most out of their vines to produce show-stopping wines that pack flavour. The winery is located on the Niagara Parkway. This is a beautiful road that winds alongside the Niagara River, and through the trees you can even spot NY state pretty clearly. It’s a must see area to bike or drive through when visiting wine country. The terrain here is flatter than the Bench wine regions and positioned differently to Lake Ontario. Niagara on the Lake is on average 2-4 degrees warmer than the Twenty Valley wineries. As a result, wineries and grape growers located here can grow and ripen red grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot and more. If I’m looking for a more full bodied Ontario red wine I usually look to the wineries within the NOTL area, or wineries that source their grapes from here.
I’ve tried Two Sisters wines blind several times (without seeing the label) and I couldn’t place them from Ontario, they are that intense and full flavoured! From sparkling to rosé to white wine, and red wines – the Two Sisters produces a great range for all wine drinkers, but their red wines are very impressive.
The 2016 Eleventh Post blend is a classic Right Bank Bordeaux inspired blend, where Merlot is dominant and the Cabernets (Cabernet Franc + Cabernet Sauvignon) act as supporting grapes. Made every few years this wine has an intense nose of dark berry fruit and strong baking spices from the French oak aging. The wine is in great shape now but also can cellar for a few more years.
2016 Merlot is a surprise. Hailing from their estate vineyard in the Niagara River VQA appellation, this wine will make you wish you drank more Merlot. Rich and dark, this cellar candidate is very expressive on the nose with classic Merlot flavours of dark cherry, cocoa, mocha and black plums. The palate is smooth and delicious, as any Merlot should be. A long velvety finish will make this wine pair beautifully with grilled meats and BBQ dishes.
If your dad loves seafood and crisp Chardonnay, give the Two Sisters Unoaked Chardonnay a try. Unoaked Chardonnay can be slightly confusing in Ontario, sometimes wineries make more aromatic versions (with Chardonnay musque added) vs being inspired by the mineral driven styles of Chablis. I’ve enjoyed my fair share of Ontario Unoaked Chardonnay, and I always ask myself, “Why are these wines made other than to complement the Oaked version?” or to appease customers who ask for Unoaked Chardonnay at the tasting bar but end up buying Oaked Chardonnay. This poor category is still finding itself – but after trying this Unoaked Chardonnay I finally got some clarity on what we can do here in Ontario. Crisp yet creamy with vibrant citrus – lemon + mandarin notes, this wine balances the richness of Chardonnay with the freshness needed to complement seafood and summer dishes. A great example of what Ontario Unoaked Chardonnay can be.
Want to learn more? Have any questions?
Contact Krys via email: winewithkrys@gmail.com
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