Father’s Day is a perfect opportunity to express gratitude to your father.
Father’s Day in 2025 falls on Sunday, June 15, so many people might be seriously thinking about what to give.
The Japanese wine online store “CRAFT WINE SHOP,” known for having one of the largest selections of Japanese wine, naturally recommends “Japanese wine” as a Father’s Day gift.
This time, we introduce carefully selected red wines perfect for Father’s Day gifts.
These are all exquisite Japanese wines that will delight fathers who love alcohol.
Please use this as a reference.
Japanese wine is recommended for Father’s Day!
Many people are probably wondering what kind of gift to give for Father’s Day.
According to a survey by the Father’s Day gift specialist media “Father’s Day.jp,” the top gift fathers want is food and gourmet items (33.2%), followed by alcohol and beer (26.0%), indicating that many people are considering giving alcohol for Father’s Day.
*Reference https://chichinohi.jp/survey068/
Also, various surveys show that alcohol ranks high among gifts that fathers are happy to receive on Father’s Day, so if your father likes alcohol, he will surely be pleased.
However, the question is what kind of alcohol to give as a gift.
Previously, on NihonWine.jp, we published a column titled “Father’s Day 2023 is June 18! The perfect gift for Dad is ‘Japanese Wine’!” As the title suggests, the site recommends Japanese wine for Father’s Day.
*Reference https://nihonwine.jp/enjoy-nihon-wine/chichinohi/
In the above column, Japanese wine was recommended for the following reasons.
- Many fathers want alcoholic beverages.
- Enjoyed even by those unfamiliar with wine
- Easy to pair with Japanese cuisine
- It can be a conversation starter when deciding on travel destinations.
Especially the points that “it’s enjoyed even by those unfamiliar with wine” and “it pairs well with Japanese cuisine” are key.
Let’s reiterate the two points above.
Enjoyed even by those unfamiliar with wine
Japanese wine has the advantage of being appreciated even by those who aren’t knowledgeable about wine.
Of course, wine connoisseurs or those familiar with Japanese wine will be even more pleased, but even fathers who usually prefer beer, sake, or whiskey won’t dislike it.
Imported wines aren’t bad, but for those not familiar with wine, they can seem complicated, and even after drinking a somewhat expensive wine, they might just think, “It’s tasty, but I don’t really get it.” (Honestly, they might have preferred a craft beer set.)
On the other hand, even if someone isn’t knowledgeable about wine, just seeing the names of production areas like Yamanashi, Nagano, Hokkaido, or Osaka gives a reassuring sense that it’s a locally made Japanese beverage.
Especially for fathers who still have the old image of “souvenir wine,” it’s a perfect chance for the giver to explain, “Japanese wine is now of amazing quality and gaining worldwide attention.”
Fathers who receive Japanese wine will be surprised by its quality and might proudly tell their coworkers, drinking buddies, or sports friends, “I got this Japanese wine, and it’s really good!”
Even fathers who usually stick to French or Italian wines will be impressed by the quality of Japanese wine.
Another reason Japanese wine is recommended for Father’s Day is the high likelihood that the recipient will be delighted with the gift.
Easy to pair with Japanese cuisine
It’s no exaggeration to say that the greatest appeal of Japanese wine is its wide range of pairings.
Its exceptional compatibility with Japanese cuisine makes it a great choice for Father’s Day gifts.
Even those who love Western, Chinese, or ethnic cuisines find Japanese wine easy to enjoy, but many families might serve luxurious Japanese meals on Father’s Day (similar to New Year’s celebrations).
Also, as mentioned in the gift survey for Father’s Day, many people choose to give food and gourmet items, often including rare delicacies and luxurious ingredients from within Japan.
Japanese wine has a pleasant aroma that is not too strong, and many have an elegant and well-balanced quality.
Even with a robust full-bodied type, it doesn’t overpower the taste of Japanese food but gently complements it, a feature not found in imported wines.
From dishes simmered in soy sauce, mirin, and sake to fresh seafood sashimi and sushi, and even strong-flavored Japanese seasonings like sansho pepper, green onions, wasabi, dried bonito flakes, ginger, and myoga, there is no clash with the distinctive flavors of "Wa" (Japanese) cuisine.
If your father has a favorite izakaya (or Japanese restaurant) that allows bringing your own alcohol, enjoying Japanese wine BYO there can be a fun experience.
If you’re giving a gift, go for a slightly premium Japanese red wine!
Even if you decide to give Japanese wine for Father’s Day, the next question is which label to choose.
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we recommend slightly more expensive Japanese red wines especially for Father’s Day.
The red Japanese wines recommended by the same shop are of a quality that satisfies beginners, fans of imported wines, and those somewhat knowledgeable about Japanese wine alike.
High-end red wines are often full-bodied, rich in flavor, and perfect for gifts.
Though full-bodied, as Japanese wine, it offers a refined finish with a balance of delicacy, elegance, fruitiness, tannins, acidity, and texture.
Of course, they pair excellently with Japanese cuisine, and each label has a story that makes the gift even more enjoyable when shared.
Let’s introduce the red Japanese wines recommended by "CRAFT WINE SHOP" for Father’s Day.
Chateau Mercian / Mariko Merlot 2019
The "Mariko Merlot 2019" from the terroir series by Japan’s world-renowned winery, Chateau Mercian.
A full-bodied red wine mainly made from Merlot grown in the Mariko vineyard in the Maruko district of Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
The 2019 vintage, which had the highest harvest volume ever, offers aromas reminiscent of dried fruit, concentrated fruit flavors, and strong tannins, resulting in a well-balanced body.
You can enjoy rich fruit aromas like blackberry, cassis, and raspberry, along with spicy nuances of forest undergrowth and tobacco.
It pairs well with hearty dishes like beef steak and oven-baked spare ribs, but also complements Japanese dishes such as domestic brand beef sukiyaki, simmered golden eye snapper, and grilled eel.
Of course, it can also be enjoyed aged.
Chateau Mercian / Mariko Merlot 2019
Including tax: 6,688 yen
Go to the purchase page here!
Usada Winery / Chichibu Rouge Premium Cuvée Whiskey Barrel Aged & Mizunara Oak Chip Infused
Usada Winery, born and raised in Chichibu, produces Usada Wine.
Chichibu is the only sake-producing region in Saitama Prefecture that produces five types of alcohol (whiskey, beer, sake, shochu, and wine) and is known for its high-quality wines.
As the name suggests, "Chichibu Rouge Premium Cuvée Whiskey Barrel Aged & Mizunara Oak Chip Infused" is a very unique Japanese wine aged in whiskey barrels and infused with Mizunara oak chips.
Red wine made from Muscat Bailey A and Merlot harvested in Chichibu City, aged in whiskey barrels from a local distillery.
Furthermore, it is a rich wine infused with roasted Japanese Mizunara oak chips.
Rich fruit flavors typical of red wine, smooth texture, tannins and richness from whiskey barrels, and the subtle sweet aroma of Mizunara oak are all balanced to create a unique taste.
The Chichibu sea of clouds label photographed by Yuji Shibasaki adds an extra special touch.
This red wine pairs well with processed meats made from domestic pork and is perfect for enjoying a drink after dinner.
Usada Winery / Chichibu Rouge Premium Cuvée Whiskey Barrel Aged & Mizunara Oak Chip Infused
Including tax: 4,400 yen
Go to the purchase page here!
Iwanohara Vineyard / Zenbei 2022
Iwanohara Vineyard in Niigata Prefecture was founded by Zenbei Kawakami, the creator of Muscat Bailey A.
The "Iwanohara Vineyard Zenbei 2022" is the vineyard’s finest bottle and a dignified red wine perfect for a Father’s Day gift.
The ingredients are Muscat Bailey A, Black Queen, and Bailey Alicante. The 2022 vintage experienced light rain during the rainy season and significant temperature differences during harvest, resulting in small grape clusters and berries of exceptionally high quality.
Only carefully selected grape berries from the harvest are used for fermentation, maximizing the aroma and concentrated flavor, resulting in an extremely luxurious finish.
Rich and expansive fruit flavors, pleasantly long-lasting acidity, and tannins from the barrel that offer volume and texture.
Iwanohara Vineyard, which produces Japan’s finest Muscat Bailey A, presents the top-tier Zenbei.
It pairs excellently with Japanese cuisine, but first, please enjoy the wine on its own slowly.
Iwanohara Vineyard / Zenbei 2022
Including tax: 16,500 yen
Go to the purchase page here!
Summary
For a Father's Day gift, we recommend a slightly premium Japanese red wine.
With Japanese wine, both wine enthusiasts and those less familiar with wine are sure to be very satisfied.
This Father's Day, why not try giving Japanese wine as a gift?
