It was the Father’s Day newsletter from Stratus Vineyards that got me going. Under the heading "Masculine Wines for Toasting Dads," they included wine reviews for real wines of theirs, and those notes, cleverly, also sounded like they could apply to someone’s Dad.
"…top notes of light spice. Quite sublime," wrote Linda Bramble about the 2009 Stratus Red.
"…rich, round and giving…" is how Jamie Drummond described the 2011 Tollgate Chardonnay.
And John Szabo said the 2010 Stratus Syrah had, "…
solid density and depth…"
I thought, "I know people like that!"
So my first idea was to extrapolate those real reviews into a series of posts for Stratus’ Facebook and Twitter accounts, asking “Does this sound like your Dad?”
Then I took it one step further, asking, “What would you say about your Dad in a tasting note, as if he was a fine wine?” I thought it might be fun to turn wine-speak into mini-profiles of these important men in our lives.
First to reply was @servertron from Lake Louise/Banff, Alberta. Here’s his excellent effort:
Then wine writer Michael Godel took up my challenge and also shared it in his post on canada.com. What a heartfelt tribute, in the form of a tasting note!
I hope others will tweet and post their vinous tributes to their fathers, as we celebrate Father's Day 2013. Hashtag #IfmyDadwasafinewine (hashtags work on Facebook now too, you know!)
So with that, I feel that I’d better at least give my own challenge a go. Here is my Father’s Day tasting note in honour of Norman C. Galey (1930 – 1993).
Round and firm – a real heavyweight.
Fresh, yet earthy, with just a hint of nuttiness.
Very approachable and sweet, belying its intensity.
Complex and layered, with great depth.
An early finish.
Wish I had more.
Winestains
;)