Father’s Day Edition of Wine Friday

Father’s Day Edition of Wine Friday

There are two full shopping days left before Father’s Day. Two days to decide what to buy that Dad in your life. What to feed him. Where to go. Oh, the pressure! But never fear, I am here to help you with your beverage choice for the Father’s Day grilling!

Not All Dads Drink Alcohol.

My much-loved Dad, Chet Cunningham, author of over 300 novels and many non-fiction titles.

My much-loved Dad, Chet Cunningham, author of over 300 novels and many non-fiction titles.

Mine doesn’t. Never did. As he likes to say, he managed to live through both college and the Army (Korea), and came home without a taste for alcohol or cigarettes. He was, however, more attached to his Coca Cola than ever.

So, what to bring for the festivities to the dad that doesn’t drink? There are a wide variety of sodas out on the market that are both fun and very adult, and I’m not talking about the type you find in your typical grocery store.

You can go your normal soda (because there ARE a lot of options in a grocery store), or you can give him something a little different. For instance, have you heard of Drank? Or the  Superliminal Purple Stuff Pro-Relaxation Formula? How about the iChill? These sodas are the counter to all the Red Bull and Monster energy drinks. They are non-alcoholic “relaxation” drinks.

“Funktional Beverages created Purple Stuff, packed with herbs and amino acids that supposedly calm the mind and body, and aimed it squarely at the urban 18- to 35-year-old males who once pledged their loyalty to amped-up energy drinks.” That’s a quote from an article at the Washington Post – you can see the whole article here.  Okay, so – 18-35? Most dads are older…

Blenheim Ginger Ale

Not Your Momma's Ginger Ale.

Not Your Momma’s Ginger Ale.

I admit, the above relaxation drinks intrigue me…but not exactly right for my dad, you know? He’s chill enough! So I’m going to go with a standard – The Blenheim Ginger Ale. Why?

It’s Nuclear!

No, really. Even a bunch of early 20’s young men had a hard time drinking this. My 19 y/o likes it in a shot glass (and he’s the only one in the family who can finish a whole bottle with dinner). As a side benefit, the ginger in the ale clears your sinuses right up.

I went to their website, and apparently they have two (or maybe three) different strengths of ginger in their ale. I can guarantee you, if you bring a six pack to the party, you’ll have people buzzing about your cleverness! (At least, my son enjoyed a certain notoriety when he brought a six pack to the party. He also came home with three bottles, lol!) Pricing: $7.00 a six pack but I’ve only found them “in person” at BevMo , and they were selling them by the bottle I think for about $1.50 (not that I’ve looked anywhere else).

Not sure if this is right for your dad? Go with the excellent standbys – Henry Weinhardt’s creamy Root Beer or Orange Soda (both favorites with my family). And those you CAN pick up at the grocery store.

Is Dad a Beer Drinker?

If your dad is a beer drinker, please keep in mind what kind of beer he prefers. If he’s a Bud Lite or Coors Lite fan, then look for a new “lite” beer that he might like and stay away from the Beers Around the World. IF, however, he prefers a Guiness, then go visit your neighborhood Costco or Cost Plus World Market and pick up a box ‘o beers from

Create your own Six Pack at Cost Plus World Market!

Create your own Six Pack at Cost Plus World Market!

far-flung places. Or at World Market, you can create your own six pack – and finally put that Bud Lite up against the Coors Lite. Can you say Blind Taste Test?!!

But – Where’s the Wine???

Ah, you wine lovers! I haven’t forgotten you. I’ve got a brilliant, easy-drinking wine that’s also easy on the pocket book. I’m foregoing the typical outline that I usually do (but heck yeah I’ll be rating ’em!)

First up? My new favorite, CDR – Cotes Du Rhone AOC, a dry red wine that is a

Cotes du Rhone, NV from Costco. See the wine stain on the label? Taste-tested! Christine approved, lol!

Cotes du Rhone, NV from Costco. See the wine stain on the label? Taste-tested! Christine approved, lol!

product of France. Alcohol content, 14% by Volume – and priced at $8.95 at Costco. This is an easy-sipping wine that is rapidly becoming my new favorite go-to. The color is a deep purple-red, the fruit is lush and the finish is silky. It will go with anything you decide to grill on the BBQ this Father’s Day.

My Rating: ~ Very, Very Drinkable ~

 

KV_SauvBlanc_ScrewIf your dad likes white wines, well this is the perfect time of year for a Sauvignon Blanc. One of my favorites is the Kenwood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, with a screwtop (no cork issues!). 13.5% Alcohol by Volume. My original posting on this wine is here, if you’d like to read it. Price was $8.99 on sale at Vons.

My Rating: ~ Very, Very Drinkable ~

So There You Have It!

Options for Father’s Day, to suit almost every taste. As for my dad? He prefers a Coca Cola. He’s had to cut WAY back on his soda intake, but I think for Father’s Day he’d be allowed one…

As usual, this is just my honest opinion and depend upon my mood, the weather, and what cycle the moon is in. Your taste buds will differ.

~ Until the next time, cheers – and may your Father’s Day be filled with Love! ~

~oOo~

Demon Soul and Demon Hunt are available for the Kindle and Kobo! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?

My Rating System: Undrinkable; Barely Drinkable; Drinkable; Very Drinkable; and the ever-popular “Stay Away! This is MY wine, you Slut!”

A Cotes du Rhone and a Chardonnay

A Cotes du Rhone and a Chardonnay

In these days of high unemployment and global financial crisis, it’s nice to relax with a bottle of wine that doesn’t break your pocketbook. I’m here to sort out the memorable from the truly awful, and each bottle is under $10 unless noted otherwise.

label of cote du rhoneVidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone 2010 Imported by W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd, White Plains, NY  Alcohol 14% by Volume; $12.99 at BevMo, on a 5 cent sale for two – $6.52 per bottle.

On the Label: “Established in 1781 in the Northern Rhone Valey, Vidal-Fleury is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Rhone Valley. Today we vinify and age wines from the Rhone’s renowned appelations, focusing on the choicest terroirs. This specific blend of Cotes du Rhone is a typical Southern Rhone wine, full bodied, smooth with young and fruity flavors.”

My Take: An easy-drinking wine. Cotes du Rhone wines are plentiful in Europe, and are as close as a guarantee of an easy to drink wine as I can possibly give you. When the hubby and I were in the Netherlands many moons ago, we stopped at a gas station slash market, and bought two bottles of Cotes du Rhone (not the Vidal-Fleury, it must be said) for under $10. The cashier smirked at us, but I will say it was VERY drinkable wine! If you go for an undemanding red wine that you just want to sip and not worry about, then this is a good one.

My Rating:  ~ Very Drinkable ~ An easy-going wine that won’t offend you or your guests.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay 2010 Sonoma County, Wetzel Family Label for Alexander Valley Vineyards ChardonnayEstate  Alcohol 14% by Volume  $11.99 at Pavilions

On the Label: “Everything about the Alexander Valley – the morning fog, the soils, the cool night air – create the perfect conditions for growing Chardonnay. When that fruit is in the hands of a skilled winemaker, you get a stellar wine like this 2010 Estate Chardonnay. Vibrant flavors of green apples, ripe pears and citrus unfold in the glass, making it a fine companion with sauteed shrimp or creamy pasta dishes.

“This is a perfectly balanced wine, melding the crispness and richness of Chardonnay fermented and aged in both stainless steel and French oak barrels. Pour a glass and discover why our historic family-owned winery on the homestead of pioneer Cyrus Alexander continues to be recognized for producing superb estate wines that are superbly priced.”

My Take: Well, as usual, I have to gag over the label. The first paragraph isn’t bad, but the second? Let’s just say they lost me at “Pour a glass…” . It’s like an author writing the back of the book blurb, and then writing “now open up the book and start reading to see how brilliant it is.” Um, not too classy.

Okay, rant over. All that aside, the wine was a decent Chardonnay. It went well with roasted chicken and a spinach salad and some crunchy garlic bread (surprisingly well with the garlic bread, actually).  For those of you who are turning your backs on buttery Chardonnays, don’t worry – the oak on this wine isn’t heavy and the butter doesn’t overwhelm. Overall, it’s a clean, crisp wine with just a hint of creaminess to it.

My Rating: ~ Very Drinkable ~

That’s it for today, folks. It seems autumn has finally arrived in my neck of the woods, and soon we’ll be turning our clocks back. Remember to spread joy all throughout the year, and help your fellow humans in need whenever you can. Hugs!

As usual, this is just my honest opinion and depend upon my mood, the weather, and what cycle the moon is in. Your taste buds will differ.

~ Until the next time, cheers – and remember to drink responsibly! ~

Demon Soul, Blood Dreams and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?

My rating system: Undrinkable, Barely Drinkable, Drinkable, Very Drinkable, and the ever popular Stay away! This is MY wine, you slut!