What better way to celebrate this day than by raising a glass to toast the occasion with some beverages?
A special occasion to honour and appreciate the incredible dads and paternal figures in our lives. Whether your dad is a foodie, a worldly traveller, sporty or the outdoorsy type, there are plenty of options to suit his tastes. Here are some top beverage picks that will make your Father’s Day celebration unforgettable. All are available at the LCBO, the Wine Rack or can be ordered from the winery directly.
For the Worldly Dad
The globe-trotter, sophisticated and the owner of a killer wine cellar and expansive bar cart, these drinks are for the dad searching for beverages that convey his passion for appreciating all the world has to offer.
Valpolicella wines are a hidden gem. You might be familiar with Ripasso and Amarone wines of the same area, but Valpolicella Superiore is off-the-beaten-track and a dream in the glass. The Allegrini Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2021 is loaded with aromas of red fruits, pepper, earthy and spice notes and complemented by a lively, bright and expressive palate.
The Magnotta 271 Canadian Single Malt Whisky 10 Year was made carefully and intentionally. Crafted with malted barley, meticulously blended, double pot distilled, and aged for 10 years in craft beer barrels made by their in-house cooper. Served neat or on the rocks, it gives notes of vanilla, almonds, smokiness hits, and sweet spice notes with a smooth finish. 
From Scotland, Kilchoman Whiskies are uniquely Islay. Their Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the distillery’s signature peated single malt. Matured in bourbon and sherry casks, this Whisky is named after the spectacular beaches of Islay’s Machir Bay. A fresh, floral-driven character filled with complexity is excellent for those who love to nose a good Whisky for an extended time.
The bittersweet Italian digestif of Amaro is a liqueur with its own world of flavours, and Amaro Montenegro is a classic. Made using 40 different botanicals and served in an iconic bottle, this Amaro shows itself in seven notes. Part bitter and herbaceous, spicy and floral, sweet and roasted, fresh and balsamic, fruity and sweet, and warm and tropical. Served over ice with an orange peel or on its own, it has a range of favours that transform with every sip.
For the Foodie Dad
Into food with passion and enthusiasm, culinary experiences are a driving force in the life of a foodie dad. For a food lover like this, look for pairable bevies that add to the food experience.
Fun, fizzy, and low in alcohol, Piquettes are delicious and are great with food. Sandbanks Winery in Ontario is all about combining wine and food. From their Sleeping Giant Red to their Sandbanks Piquette, they even work with the Drake Devonshire to create memorable experiences. The Sandbanks Piquette is made from Muscat and Chardonnay grapes skins. Delivering a bouquet of rosewater, lemon rind, and white tea, it is a great meal starter and pairs fabulously with finger foods.
From the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna Poderi dal Nespoli 1929’s Famoso Pubicone IGP white wine shows off the grape Uva Rambela, also called Famoso. An indigenous grape from the region rediscovered in the last ten years; this wine tells a story. The Famoso is filled with aromas of yellow flowers, orange blossoms and jasmine, tropical and white fruits, and an intense and rich body with a bright finish. It is a classic paired with seafood dishes, risotto and white meats done with fresh herbs.
Amarone is a big, bold wine that is incredibly pairable and offers a journey with every sip. The Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella is a blend of the classic Amarone grapes, grown on prized vineyards, then dried for four months before being made into wine. Finished in Slavonian oak barrels to craft a wine with ethereal aromas of sweet red fried, dried black fruits, toasted and vanilla notes. Velvety on the palate, with a balanced and harmonious finish, this bold wine pairs with equally as bold dishes.
Although Ports pair fabulously with desserts, the Taylor Fladgate 10-Year-Old Tawny Port is great with complex dishes like duck confit. This 10-year Tawny is an amber garnet colour from being slowly aged in seasoned oak casks. Rich and elegant in the glass with ripe berry notes, nutty hits, and caramelized notes, followed by a figgy, jammy flavour and finishing with a long and memorable ending. Getting outside the Port comfort zone is a foodie thing, and this Tawny is up for it.
For the Sporty Dad
Sports are beyond mere entertainment for the dad that loves a good game. From keeping up with his favourite teams to catching every match, these are the best drinks ready to serve when the next game is on.
The perfect wine for a game night is light, inviting and widely appealing. Pinot Grigio is one of the best out there. The Cantina Lavis Pinot Grigio from the Trentino DOC is expressive and easy-going with charisma in the glass, showing notes of ripe yellow fruits, honey and minerality. This wine stands out on the palate with an easy-drinking vibe to match. Vegan and at a fantastic price, this wine can be drunk from kick-off to the final round.
A Whisky with a nod to sports in its name, Howitzer Whisky is uniquely Canadian. As Canadian as hockey, the name is a sports slang for a booming slap shot. Cork-topped and ready to be mixed or enjoyed solo, this 5-year-old Whiskey is a bourbon blend style made with corn and barley finished in bourbon oak casks. Crafting a Whiskey smooth with vanilla, caramel, and dried fruits notes is a classic with a modern twist.
A great game day cocktail, the Old Fashioned is an easy-to-replicate drink that can be made right in the action. There are many tasks on the Old Fashioned. Subbing out heavy spirits with Harvey Sherry is a great way to create a more complex, although lighter, version. Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry is a classic and great on its own, too, caramel coloured with notes of dried flowers, herbs, caramel, fig and dried citrus notes.
Bottle-popping moments are made for the winners, but while the final games are still at play, the J.P. Chenet White Ice Edition is ideal for serving while cheering for the favourite team. Designed to be served over ice. This approachable step into the world of bubbly wines is incredibly sharable. It is filled with notes of yellow melon, floral tones, hints of toast and minerality. This wine is a crowd-pleaser.
For the Outdoorsy Dad
Embracing nature, the outdoorsy dad profoundly loves and appreciates the natural world. You might not find him inside a lot, but a celebratory drink at the end of the hike or cheers after a good kayaking day is what those who are into nature love best.
Once chilled, the Saintly Minis, The Good Sparkling and the Rosé are great companion wines for the next camping trip. These mini bottles of white and rosé Saintly Sparking Wines are made from Niagara Peninsula grapes and come in four packs or singles. Pop the top and enjoy refreshing fruit flavours complemented by a clean and crisp flavour with just the right amount of bubbles.
If you bring only one bottle of wine out into the wild, let it be a delicious Late Bottled Vintage Port. Graham’s 2017 Late Bottled Vintage Port can be enjoyed with a slight chill. With plum, chocolate, spiced note and blood orange aromas, this fortified wine is rich, lush, and sweet. It is excellent paired with grilled foods or mixed with tonic water for an elevated Porto Tonico cocktail on the go.
The Glendalough 7-Year-Old Single Malt Mizunara is a Whiskey that fully embodies the outdoors. The valley with two lakes, Glendalough, is a natural wonder nestled in the Wicklow Mountains just south of Dublin. This was the home of a monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin, who found divine inspiration in the wilds of nature. Vivid yet delicate with a seamless depth of flavour, this single malt is smooth and ready to be served neat.
Bringing the taste of the wilderness to the glass is a task summed up by Bearface’s 7-Year-Old Triple Oak Canadian Whisky. Adventurous, boundary-pushing and not bound by rules or traditions, this Whisky is crafted for new experiences. Aged using different types of oak casks and harnessing the rhythm of the Candian seasons, this spirit brings the wild home with bold aromas of vanilla, dried fruits, spice, and a smooth finish.