Is your Dad a proper foodie, always cooking, eating or drinking his way through the best products we can put his hand on? With Father’s Day just around the corner on June 20th, here are a few French-inspired gifts that should make him jump for joy - you’ll thank us later!
Opinel: the king of folding knives
The iconic Opinel pocket knife has been produced in Savoie in the French Alps since 1890, and this is not about to change. With its wooden handle, it’s the everyday companion every dad should keep at hand, just in case a saucisson suddenly needs to be sliced, a cheese wheel needs to be shared, a knob of beurre salé needs to be spread on a fresh baguette and everything in between. It’s all about picnic vibes, anywhere, anytime.
Want to make it extra special and don’t mind waiting a few more days? Pick the custom option directly on the Opinel website, engraving his knife on the blade or on the handle.
Folding knife n°8 from £10 from Kitchen Provisions
Côtes du Rhône: a drink in a waterfront wine bar
Is your dad a bit of a wine tripper? How about a trip to the beautiful Rhône Valley without leaving London? From Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June, Côtes du Rhône wines are parking their very own classic Citroën H Van wine bar at the Southbank Centre, serving a range of dynamic wines from the region.
Just show up, grab a table and enjoy a selection of red, white, and rosé wines by the riverside - the perfect summer getaway by the river Thames. While you’re there, book your dad in for a 30-minute free wine tasting, where a top London wine expert will talk a small group through six different wines showcasing the fantastic diversity of this French wine region, spreading from Lyon to Avignon. Santé!
Masterclasses run everyday at 1, 3, 5 and 7pm. Limited number of seats, on a first come first served basis - book your slot in advance by emailing sguillermin@sopexa.com.
Cotes du Rhone Pop Up Wine Bar
Southbank Centre, Riverside Grass
Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June 2021 from 12 to 9pm
Make his own charcuterie workshop
For charcuterie lovers, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of making your own cured meats. Let your dad put an apron on and play traditional French charcutier for the day, with a dedicated full-day course at Town End Farmshop in the Yorkshire Dales (£200 per person).
In Dorset, The Real Cure at Hartgrove Farm, an easy 1h45 train-ride from London, has just the thing too: a day spent learning about curing, building a smoker and making all sortss of delicious meats to take home with the recipes (£150 per person).
The Wine List: a wine course subscription
Yes, we know you’ve tried plenty of wine subscription services before, but trust us on this one. Founded by Josh Lachkovic, The Wine List is on a mission to teach people about wine - how it’s made, how to taste it - in the most un-snobby manner, with bottles they import directly from the winemakers, including many gems from France.
Their 12-month wine course comes in various formats and prices, so start small with the Core edition featuring 2 bottles and access to plenty of online material (£39 monthly).
Contributor
Valentine Benoist
Editor
