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A toast to the old man: The sommelier’s guide for wines to gift this Father’s Day

Wine expert Samantha Payne gives her top picks of the season.
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Whether your nearest and dearest have a penchant for toasting to the blissful things over brunch with oysters or with drinks at sunset, there’s a bottle of wine for every gala affair.

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Be it a fruity shiraz or chalky Champagne, sommelier Samantha Payne shares her top wine picks for Father’s Day celebrations that also make a thoughtful gift for the epicurean.

Read on for Payne’s expert curation of tasting notes of whites and reds from both afar and Australia, guaranteed to have you crowned the golden child.

(Credit: Will Horner/aremediasyndication.com.au.)

9 wines to gift this Father’s Day

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2021 Felton Road ‘Block 2’ Chardonnay, Central Otago $180

Central Otago, New Zealand

Nothing says ‘I’m here to have a good time’ like a magnum of wine when it’s from one of New Zealand’s most sought-after producers; then it’s a really good time. Excellent for gifts or to cellar for the next decade, its lemon balm and subtle creamy notes would also match beautifully with a roast chicken, with sage and lemon stuffing.

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2022 Yarra Valley Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir, $40.99

Yarra Valley, VIC

Always highly awarded and outstanding value, this pinot from Giant Steps’ famed vineyards across Victoria’s Yarra Valley is all about showcasing the best expressions of their sites. Bright cranberry and raspberry notes make for a deliciously medium-bodied wine that’s an ideal pairing for gamey meats such as duck and even kangaroo.

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2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs $379

Reims, Champagne, France

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Made only in exceptional years and left to age for 10 years before release, there’s a reason why most sommeliers and winemakers gravitate to this being their Champagne for home. Known for its chalky and mineral notes, this is a wine made for drinking over the course of a meal. Pair it with something rich and opulent like lobster ravioli (you can even add a little bit of the Champagne to the blanc sauce).

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2013 Peter Lehmann ‘Cellar Archives’ Barossa Semillon, $27.99

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Barossa Valley, SA

The Barossa is often overlooked for its semillon potential, which is a shame as there are numerous excellent examples of the variety thriving in the region – this is one of them. Eschewing oak in favour of drawing out those green apple, lemon flesh, and mandarin notes, the time in the cellar has also made the honeyed and beeswax notes more pronounced. A perfect brunch wine paired with oysters.

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2021 Metala Shiraz, $20

Langhorne Creek, SA

You have to give it to Metala for crafting a consistently affordable and delicious shiraz. Brimming with blackberry and garnet plum fruits with some subtle clove and cedar notes, this is the perfect Friday night barbeque wine.

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2018 Tyrrell’s Single Vineyard HVD Chardonnay, $79

Hunter Valley, NSW

With the name HVD standing for ‘Hunter Valley District’, this is a quintessential Hunter Valley chardonnay. It’s not about flash and opulence; but restrained acidity and flinty characters, interwoven with white peach and green apple. Perfect for backyard drinks and watching sunsets.

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2021 Frankland Estate Isloation Ridge Riesling, $52

Great Southern, WA

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The benchmark example of the exceptional riesling being grown in Western Australia’s Great Southern region. Lime cordial meets freshly cut grapefruit with perfectly balanced minerality and acidity that would pair beautifully with grilled prawns that have curry butter drizzled over the top.

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2020 Château de Vaudieu Grenache Blend, $79.90

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Chateauneuf Du Pape, France

It’s always a smart move to have a grenache on hand; it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser that’s the MVP of any dinner party – pairing well with a variety of dishes. Cassis and dark cherry notes meet the full array of earthy spices…this wine just screams for something braised or slow-cooked.

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2019 Metzer Wines Maritime Chenin Blanc, $45

Stellenbosch, South Africa

For those unfamiliar with chenin: the palate radiates pear, white peach and lemon verbena characters, and has the weight of a chardonnay without any overwhelming vanilla oak presence. Perfectly suited for lighter fare – think pickled octopus salad or salt-baked white fleshed fish.

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