What’s the best wine for your summer picnic?

Wines for a summer picnic vary as much as the weather in which they will be shared. Ultimately, the choice is yours based on your preferred palette, but if you need a little help deciding, we have some tips for choosing the best wine for your summer picnic.

Right now, outdoor activities are in fashion. To jazz things up at home, it’s fun to have a picnic in your own backyard. We’re all in need of a bit of variety and picnics are such a great way to enjoy a lovely day.

Including wine in your picnic fare can add a special touch, elevating your lunch to a memorable event. Picnics are usually in the afternoon and are more about the social aspect. The ideal picnic wine complements the discussion and keeps you as refreshed and cool as the food.

Consider the menu when deciding on a wine. Most picnic foods are cold, lighter fare and easily transported. You might find antipasto, crudites, deviled eggs, salads, cold chicken, fruit, cheese and crackers carefully nestled among napkins, cutlery and a blanket. You don’t have to choose a pretentious or expensive wine; there are many wonderful, moderately priced selections to compliment your meal.

Whites

A crisp white such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Blanc is an excellent choice. They reflect the summer sun in a wine glass and smell delightful. Each has a little more acidic and citrus fruit flavors than some wines.

Rieslings consistently maintain a balance between dry and fruity and do well chilled, or even over ice. They go very well with cold shrimp, cheeses and fruit.

Roses

Sharing a cold steak salad with a crusty artisan bread while watching an outdoor movie or fireworks display might call for a rose. Since they are served chilled and are appropriate for a variety of menus, a light Rose is a great summer picnic wine. They tend to be more fruity than dry and many nice labels come in at under $10 per bottle.

Reds

A picnic menu that features a hamburger, or cold pasta in red sauce might call for a red wine like a Beaujolais or Pinot Noir. You might look for a wine marked “red table wine” that is usually a blend of grapes, light and inexpensive.

Sangria

Don’t discount a Sangria packed in a sealed pitcher for a picnic on the beach. Sangria is usually a mix of red wine, brandy and seasonal fruit. There is no recipe set in stone, so it can be styled to complement the food, weather and your personal preferences.

You might want to add lemons and oranges for a light blend, or pineapple and mango for a tropical twist. It can be cut with sparkling water, served over ice, or even made with white wine. It goes equally well with a meatball sandwich as it does samosas and hummus.

Need ideas? Try one of our favorite recipes:

• Strawberry Mint Sangria
• Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria
• Mangosteen Blackberry Summer Tea Sangria
• Apple Harvest Citrus Sangria

Mimosas

A mimosa is a mix of dry sparkling wine and orange juice. You can mix this cocktail on the spot, or ahead of time in a large thermos.

Bring along a sprig of fresh mint with which to garnish the glasses Mimosas go particularly well with fresh fruit dipped in powdered sugar, cheeses and a herb flatbread.

Transporting wine for your summer picnic

Dining alfresco at least once during the summer crowns the season. Being prepared keeps it relaxed. If your wines are corked, remember to pack an opener.

There are handy freezer sleeves available that can be frozen ahead of time and slipped over the bottle to keep it cold for hours. An extra-large zippered bag filled with ice can also be packed around the bottle to help it stay cool and prevent spills, too. Bota bags are traditionally a leather wine-skin and today have a plastic lining. They are still a great choice to use.

If you prefer traditional wine glasses, there are plenty of stainless steel and food-safe plastic versions available with lids.  They help keep your wine for your summer picnic safe from spills and breaks.