In this week’s Tipping’s Tipples, MIKE TIPPING picks three reds perfect as gifts for Father’s Day.

DADS like only three things: these are golf, vintage sports cars and beer. I know this because I have been trying to buy a Father’s Day card and can’t find anything suitable, as my old man likes none of the above.

He is interested in other stuff though, for instance tennis, science fiction and current affairs. Dad also likes to watch Countdown on TV, particularly the bits with Rachel Riley. Plus, and this is where I come in, he is partial to a glass of wine.

So if you have a wine-loving Dad, treat him to a decent bottle next Sunday for Father's Day. Here are some suggestions; I’ve picked red wine because that's what Dads like, isn’t it?

The Co-operative’s own label Truly Irresistible Bio Bio Malbec 2012 is an impressive wine. Bio Bio is one of Chile’s more southerly and cooler regions plus the malbec grapes for this wine are grown at altitude. This gives the wine a lovely freshness.

It is smooth but with firm tannins and lots of ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit, violets and minerals on the finish. Pair it with a juicy steak.

Staying in Chile but this time the country’s northernmost wine region, the Elqui Valley, there is Falernia Syrah 2010.

This wine also has a nice fresh feel. Rich, peppery and approachable, it has soft tannins and oodles of forest fruit flavours, with liquorice and dark chocolate.

Or look to Oz and splash out on a ripper red, Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2012, another wine which will also go very well with steak. This is a dense and ripe example, made with fruit from both the Clare Valley and McLaren Vale.

It oozes brambles, plums, black pepper, vanilla, chocolate, notes of anise and toasty oak, all held together by some fine tannins. With careful cellaring for a few years, it should develop even more.


The Co-operative’s Truly Irresistible Bio Bio Malbec 2012, £8.99 at The Co-operative 18/20

Falernia Syrah 2010, Elqui Valley, £9.25 at Field & Fawcett 18/20

Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2012, £20.99 from Oz Wines (ozwines.co.uk) 18/20