The right wines for a Father’s Day barbecue

Believe me, I’m not so obtuse as to think that all American dads want to drink big, bold, manly red wines for Father’s Day, but let me broach the subject via the prevalence of outdoor barbecues. air on this special day, where burgers, franks, steaks, wings and ribs are the dishes of choice. That said, there are plenty of wines that don’t go well with such food because the charring you get from a grill, the marinades used, and the spicy sauces that come with them just don’t lend themselves to blowing the cork from a bottle of white at $150. Burgundy. Such foods need a leaf, either one that enhances the infused flavors or one that acts as a balance. Here are the wines I urged my two sons to pick from the wine cellar (inevitably mine) to serve them that day. I’m encouraged to sit back and enjoy it while my granddaughters tear me to shreds.

CANA THE WEDDING 2019 ($48) – One of many fine wines now coming out of Virginia (this one was included in the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup exhibit), the Bordeaux blend of Cana, at just 14.2% alcohol , with 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Malbec, 14% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc, has a lot of complexity after spending 16 months in French oak barrels. In 2017, Melanie Natoli de Cana was named Woman Winemaker of the Year, showing that this is a very carefully crafted red wine.

MACROSTIE THE KEY CHARDONNAY 2019 ($22) – If seafood, especially shellfish, is on the menu, this bold Chardonnay from Sonoma will be a great complement, with citrus and ripe fruit components with a terrific bouquet. Founder Steve MacRostie draws from five vineyards – Olivet Lane, Bacigalupi, the Frost Ranch, Dale Ricci, Brockton and Shop – each offering nuance and reaching 14.1% alcohol.

CHASING RAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON RED MOUNTAIN 2019 ($25) – If you like a big, bold, very fruity style of a Washington State Cab at a good price, this will do for everyone at the table. At 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with just 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, at a solid 14.5% alcohol, it’s meant to accompany grilled beef and well-seasoned pork chops.

PINOT NOIR J. CHRISTOPHER KOLB VINEYARD DUNDEE HILLS 2018 ($40) – The fact that this Oregon pinot noir is unfiltered means it has both richness, texture and a bit more tannin, but a reasonable 13.5% alcohol , and Ernst Loosen proudly copies Pommard’s standard, using grafts from this region and Old World methods. It shows in the silky beauty and spirit of the wine, and with red meats and chicken it will do justice.

BLACKBIRD CONTRARIAN VINEYARDS ($135) – Assuming Dad is a connoisseur, this beefy Oakville blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc, and just 1% Merlot “fucks convention,” according to the label. , although with only 14.1% alcohol, it is not a club. The fruit, acids, and tannins are all in balance, so if you’re serving a superfatted form of wagyu beef, this is a wine to enhance the experience.

BERONIA GRAN RESERVA RIOJA 2013 ($30) — First of all, it’s a great price; second, if you’re going to serve lamb, that’s what a spanish cook would open. Velvety and now at its peak after a decade, it’s a bit high for a 14.5% alcohol Rioja but there are plenty of layers of flavor.

CLINE FAMILY CAVE OLD VINES ZINFANDEL 2020 ($10) – Old vine (or “old”) Zinfandels don’t require a lot of bottle time to age well; they’re ready to go in a year or two, and this great beauty shows all its charms and the depth of its dark fruit with a whopping 15% alcohol. If you’re serving hot buffalo chicken wings, this is the way to go. And I see it in stores for less than ten dollars!

SYRAH EQUIPMENT 2019 ($20) – From Paso Robles on the Central Coast, this is the kind of Syrah that nods to its Rhone Valley cousins ​​but retains its own character after a longer hiatus. long. The richness of the Syrah is tempered by Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier, so it will go well with burgers and hot dogs with ketchup and fries.