With the rise of picture-perfect charcuterie picnics, the demand for wine in the grassy field also increased. In this article, let’s explore the eleven different wines you can bring to your next outdoor adventure!
The Essentials of a Good Picnic Wine
Before we give you some of our recommended wines for your picnic, let’s get into the features that make them great.
- Chillable: Most of us go out on picnics to refresh and make the most of our sunny days. So, make sure that your wine is chillable and does not mellow out with some coldness.
- Versatile: When eating on a picnic, more often than not, you’ll have a wide array of delicious food. Most common picnic food ranges from sweet pastries to tangy sandwiches. So, you’ll need a versatile wine pairing to blend well with them.
- Light and Refreshing: You’re not typically in for a whole fine-dining experience with some heavy and bold reds when you’re eating in a park. So, opt for a light and acidic blend with lower alcohol content. They will offer crisper flavors without overpowering your food.
Red Wines for Picnics
| Wine | Flavor Notes | Texture |
| Pinot Noir |
|
|
| Lambrusco |
|
Vibrant |
| Beaujolais |
|
Acidic |
Red wines are not the first option when it comes to a light and refreshing picnic. That said, there are some options you can consider to add, such as:
Pinot Noir
Light and acidic, a classic Pinot Noir might be the most versatile of the reds! Depending on the brand and vintage you’ll get, this wine can range from sweet to dry. So make sure you pick those with some smooth and low-tannins!
Lambrusco
If you’re looking for wines that you can keep cold, then there are some options in this red variety for you. Although there is one type of this wine, we remarkably recommend: the Lambrusco di Sorbara. It’s the lightest and the most floral in the selection, with a great aroma and almost Rose taste.
Beaujolais
Much like Pinot Noir, this red wine also relies on its acidity and excellent versatility. It can easily pair with lighter dishes such as salads and chicken.
White Wines for Picnics
| Wine | Flavor Notes | Texture |
| Pinot Gris |
|
Crisp and Refreshing |
| Sauvignon Blanc |
|
Bright and Zesty |
| Riesling |
|
Light and Crisp |
White wines are a more common wine variety than red when it comes to pairing picnic food. But why is that?
As they are mostly fermented without skin and use white grape varieties, this type of wine tends to be lighter. With that said, whites also pack a punch of acidity. This makes them easy to the palette yet easily blend well with more pungent food.
Pinot Gris
The greatest use for this wine is for palate refreshment, so you can indulge in more flavors with each bite. Acidic and silky: if you have a smoky sandwich or some charcuterie board in your course then you might want to consider this wine.
Sauvignon Blanc
When it comes to choosing the perfect pairing with your favorite dishes, look no further than Sauvignon Blanc. This bright, crisp white has a delicious sharp acidity that flawlessly complements rich flavors such as in chicken and fish recipes!
Enjoying some scrumptious smoked salmon? Splurge on this appeal white to give your picnic that extra acidic oomph!
Riesling
This delicious wine is the perfect accompaniment to your savory feast! It’s insanely flavourful, with vibrant acidity on your tongue that brings out the bright notes of green apple, zesty citrus, and stone fruit in your nose.
Whether you’re noshing on a hearty seafood platter, heavily seasoned meats, or fresh salads, this wine will bring out even more flavor in these yummy savory dishes!
Rosé Wines for Picnics
Rosé area is the perfect crowd-pleaser, especially if you have inexperienced wine drinkers in your picnic group. It’s also typically lower in alcohol content and has little to no tannins, which makes it soft on everyone’s palate.
This pink and slightly bubbly wine is sweet, fruity, and acidic, a versatile pairing for many picnic dishes. It also does well with being chilled, leading to a nice refreshing drink.
Provence Rosé
Straight from the old Provence wine region, this Rosé is fruity and bright with acidity. It’s also one of the drier, sweetest wines from this variety. This makes the array perfect for smokey and savory dishes.
Spanish Rosé (Rosado)
This Spanish Rosé is ripe with flavors of raspberry and a citrus note. It offers a cutting and dry acidity that goes well with picnic staples such as cheese, meat, and salads.
Sparkling Wines for Picnics
Sparkling wines are perfect for a very light and fizzy wine drink. Much like Rosé, this type of wine is also ideal for those unfamiliar with wine. A lot of them are sweet, fruity, and very akin to many carbonated drinks. Not only that, this wine is chillable without ruining its flavor profile.
Champagne
The most common type of sparkling wine, Champagne, offers an acidic twist to your picnic course. Opt for a bottle from these brands: Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, or Bollinger. Sec is often a drier option, while demi-sec adds sweetness to the drink.
Prosecco
Champagne can be quite pricey! Fortunately, a bottle of Prosecco can be an excellent alternative if you want a better bang for your buck as it has almost the same flavor notes and fizziness, at a quarter of the price.
Sparkling Rosé
Add some hint of rose color to your sparkling wine with a Sparkling Rosé. This blend features the excellent qualities of both wines into a fizzy, crisp, and acidic wine. It offers heightened citrus and fruity notes.
How to Know the Best Wine for Your Picnic?
Now that you know what is essential in your wine, along with some examples and food pairing, let’s get into the tips to help you pick one.
Know Your Picnic Course
Before picking out your wine, ensure that you already know what the dishes for your picnic are. Is it light, tangy, or sweet? Take note of the ingredients and how they’ll blend with the drink.
Of course, the safest option is to choose a wine that is versatile when you have a wide array of dishes on the menu. But keep in mind the tannins, fat, and acidity content of your course. Be sure to blend them and not overpower each other.
Consider Portable Packaging
As a picnic is an outdoor activity, you might want to consider some portable packaging for your wine. Ensure that your bottle has an easy screw top rather than a cork so you can easily pop it off and reseal it. This maintains the flavor of the wine as picnics tend to go on for a long time.
Also, consider canned wines! They are becoming popular, especially for picnics and many other outdoor activities. They make it easy since they’re lightweight and compact —perfect to toss into a bag or cooler.
Understand Your Personal Preferences
Even though common pairing such as white tends to go well on paper, you also need to consider your personal preference. Do you opt for light red, tangy whites, or dry sparkling?
Even though some wines pair well with others, you must pick the type that matches your taste.
Wine Pairing Suggestions for Popular Picnic Foods
Here are some popular picnic foods and the best wine pairing for them:
| Food | Wine |
| Charcuterie and Cheese | Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Provence Rose, or Pinot Noir |
| Sandwiches and Wraps | Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, or Rosé |
| Salads | Sauvignon Blanc, Beaujolais, Riesling or Rosé |
| Seafood | Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling |
Of course, you don’t have to follow this selection! This is just a recommendation based on the characteristics of the wine and the food. As we stated, your personal taste matters the most.
Practical Tips for Bringing Wine to a Picnic
The outdoors is fun, but it can be hard to bring out your finest wine needs. So, here are some more tips for your wine picnic for practicality.
Chilling Methods for Wine
Outdoor chilling methods can vary based on their availability to you. Here are some ways you can keep your wine clean:
- Coolers
- Insulated Bags
- Wine Tote
- Ice Bags
Use Plastic Wine Glasses
As wine glasses are fragile, so you should not opt for them, especially in transit. Use plastic or acrylic wine glasses for a better and safer drinking experience.
Bring Wine Openers and Stoppers
If you can’t find a screw-top wine bottle, then be sure to bring some wine openers and stoppers to reseal and keep your wine fresh.
Conclusion
And that’s the end of the compilation of the 11 Best Wines for Picnic. We know this diverse list including red wines, white wines, and even some sparkling options will help you. With it laid out, we are sure you can select the most suitable option for your taste and food pairing!
