Perfect Pairings for Father’s Day

Father’s Day brings another wonderful excuse to get everyone together, whether that’s a family outing, a sporting activity, or simply gathering around the table for a home-cooked meal. And while dining out is always a treat, there’s something quite special about preparing a meal at home, with all of Dad’s favourite flavours.

Why not elevate the celebration by pairing that delicious feast with the perfect drink? From Champagne to zesty craft beers and smooth, smokey whiskies, the right pairing can turn a great meal into an unforgettable one. 

Our Master of Wine, Jane Masters, has created a diagram to help you understand how to pair food and wine. She says:
“When creating the perfect pairing it’s important to consider that your wine or dish can change completely depending on the type of wine and the acidity, sweetness or bitterness of a dish. Creating the best pairings can be both a science and an art.”

Champagne and Canapés

Champagne is the perfect fizz to kick off the Father’s Day celebrations and it’s delicious with an array of nibbles, too, such as smoked salmon blinis, cheese filled puff pastry squares, parma ham, blue cheese and honey crostinis, and smoked mackerel paté. Champagne’s acidity loves fat, so anything with cheese or deep fried is a perfect match.

BBQ and … there’s many wines to choose from

If the sun’s shining, a BBQ is a great way to celebrate Father’s Day, as everyone can get involved. If your BBQ is meat heavy, we’d recommend something like a Malbec or a Pinotage - a South African wouldn’t be without a bottle of this at their ‘Braai’.

If you’ve got light meats like pork and chicken or seafood, a structured rosé or a bold white would also do the trick. 

A BBQ is also a great opportunity to use one of our PerfectDraft kegs, bringing you pub-quality pints from home. Crisp, chilled, and ready to pour!

Cheese and Sauternes

A classic pairing, cheese loves sweet wine. Sweet wine still holds lots of acidity, which works against the fat in cheese, and salt loves sweet, too. Port would also be a great match, but it can be a little heavy for the more delicate cheeses, which is why we turn to a white Sauternes. It’s also delicious with tangy, fruity desserts!

Apple Crumble and Irish Whiskey

The smooth, slightly fruity character of Irish whiskey pairs beautifully with baked apples and cinnamon. You could also try Pecan Pie and Bourbon or Crème Brûlée and Scotch.