Punch Pops (Lovingly) Right in the Palate

Think of all the things your old man taught you growing up and return the favor this Father’s Day by helping him broaden his boozy horizons.
By Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen

[THE STIFF STUFF]

HE DRINKS: Scotch

INTRODUCE HIM TO: Small-batch Mezcal He loves the smoky, peaty, flavors of single malt. Unlike Tequila, mezcal’s agave is actually slow roasted in clay pots under ground before being mashed, creating a downright sexy and super-smoky sip with a tropical fruit and slight honeydew finish.

SURE-BET BUY: Del Maguey Tobala

[THE WINE]

HE DRINKS: French Bordeaux

INTRODUCE HIM TO: South American Blends Turn his world upside down with top-notch Bordeaux- style blends from south of the equator in Chile and Argentina. The grapes are the same, but the terroir and prices are a whole different ballgame.

SURE-BET BUY: Caliboro Estate Erasmo

[THE BEER]

HE DRINKS: Budweiser

INTRODUCE HIM TO: Czech-style Pilsner Best imbibed ice-cold, this hay- hued style with its laser-sharp bitterness not only refreshes fast, it just may make his famous burger taste even better. If he balks, inform him Budweiser is not only a Czech name, the beer was originally based on the brews of Bohemia.

SURE-BET BUY: Pilsner Urquell

Tip: Give Dad the gift of time. No, not a new watch—vintage wines from the years his grandchildren were born. To score bottles from the best wine-producing regions from any given year, see the Wine Enthusiast 2013 vintage chart.

Published on June 11, 2013
Topics: Spirits Tools, Wine Gifts
About the Author
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
Entertaining and Lifestyle Editors

Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen are Wine Enthusiast's Entertaining and Lifestyle Editors. DeSimone tastes wine from Israel and the Mediterranean Basin, while Jenssen tastes wine from Eastern Europe, including the former the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. Both co-authored Wines of California, Wines of the Southern Hemisphere, and The Fire Island Cookbook. Wine educators and presenters, both gentlemen serve as frequent guests on national and local television. Email: mikeandjeff@wineenthusiast.net

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