Forgot Dad? Bring booze.
Both Scotch Dad and Gin Dad are easy to buy for
By Tim Protzman tprotzman@sbcglobal.net
What did Dad really want for Father’s Day?
A gas-powered string trimmer.
That’s the ultimate gift. That’s what I wanted. And I’m a dad so I know.
The real secret is your dad wants you to be happy, successful and independent. Spend time with him. Call him. Send a couple of cards. I usually send one in Spanish and one in English. Then my dad says, “I can’t read it.”
Then I say, “It says Happy Father’s Day!”
Then he tells me, “Really? I thought it was a Halloween card!”
He never finds out it’s a Flag Day card with a family on it.
It’s easier to do a Flag Day wine tasting than a Father’s Day tasting. Each dad is different. With Flag Day it’s easy. A red, a white and Flag Hill Wild Blueberry wine, which also makes a great blueberry spritzer when mixed with plain club soda.
But dad could be a Scotch drinker or a beer man. Maybe he doesn’t drink at all.
As a dad, it’s really nice just to have a day where you don’t have to make any commitments or you can play golf without guilt. Sometimes us dads don’t even want to be asked what we want for dinner. Just make one of our favorites. And most of us have little quirks and pet peeves. Put the cap on the toothpaste for us on Father’s Day. Do it our way that day. It’s a sign of respect, and that’s on every Dad’s list. We know we’re set in our ways, but it’s only one day. Little things matter. Even going to the video store with us for 20 minutes is a big deal on Father’s Day. So if we get time, attention, consideration and respect then gifts and cards are just the frosting on the cake.
And if you didn’t get a chance to give Dad a bit of cake on Father’s Day, you can always make up for it with a trip to the liquor store.
Since we’re talking sweets, I’d also like a bottle of Chocolate Stout. Rogue Brews in Oregon and Brooklyn Brewery in New York are excellent and they make a wide range of stouts, lagers, pilsners and porters if Dad likes a lighter, crisper beer. And you don’t have to spend a lot on Beer Dad. He can be happy with a six-pack of Coors Light. Or give him the gift that lasts. A nice beer mug or pilsner glass. The gesture will have even the toughest Beer Dad tearing into his suds.
Scotch Dad is really easy to buy for. Get him his favorite brand if he’s a loyalist or get him something exotic. This can get pricey and tear up a 50 pretty quick, though. So if Scotch Dad drinks Laphroaig, get him Johnnie Walker Red Label ($20.99) so he can serve it to guests. Oban ($49.99), Glenmorangie ($39.99 to $109.99) and Old Pulteney ($27.99) would give me a warm glow even before I opened the bottle. If Scotch Dad is potably adventurous try Clynelish 14-year-old blended Scotch whiskey ($49.99). It has a unique taste of peat, minerals and leather. It finishes crisply and is bone dry.
I’ve never met a Tequila Dad, but some of the premium Anejos aren’t just for margaritas anymore. Sipping tequilas are growing in popularity, and a good bottle of fermented blue agave cactus juice enhances any bar and makes an exceptional cocktail.
I prefer silver or blanco tequila, which is clear. Anejo is aged in casks for at least one year. They are close in taste, with Anejos having a touch of caramel flavor. Here are my favorites: Corazon de Agave ($36.99), Don Julio ($41.99) and Herradura ($29.99).
Gin? Hendrick’s ($26.99) is unique and flavorful. But for a martini Gibleys & Gordons ($6.99 and $8.99) are fine, and they’re fine in other cocktails too.
Wine Dad, or in my case Whine Dad, might be a little fussy to buy for. Maybe just go to the store with him and wait around as he spends endless time going up and down the aisles from the pinot noir to the Burgundy to the Spanish section.
Here’s what I tasted this week, which was a surprising line up because each wine was nice and I’d try and buy them again.
2005 Joh Jos Christoffel Erben Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese ($22.99). A delicious white wine whose flavors are as much of a mouthful as its name. Joh Jos Christoffel Erben is the producer. Ürziger Würzgarten is the vineyard and Spatlese Riesling is the second stage of ripeness. Pear and honey flavors. From the Mosel region.
2006 La Battistina Gavi ($15.99). This might be the new pinot grigio. It’s from the Gavi region in Piedmont, Italy, and shows like a riesling and pinot grigio blend. Made from Cortese grapes.
2005 Montpezat “Palombiers” ($17.99). an 80 percent Grenache, 20 percent Mourvedre from Languedoc, France. Inky and fruit-forward without much structure.
2004 Klinker Brick Zinfandel ($18.99). Dense and deep with a slight raisin tatse (think Amarone).
2004 Alto Moncayo Veraton ($24.99). A big Grenache/Garnacha wine from the Campo de Borja region in Spain. Very dark with elderberry tartness, the smoky green olive flavor of great Rhones and an untannic finish.
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