With Summer well and truly upon us, I find picnics are popping up left, right and centre. It’s the perfect way to soak up the sunshine with friends. To help celebrate the warmer months, I wanted to share 5 wines for picnics and some great food pairings. Whether you are enjoying a cheese board or a BBQ, these wines will be the perfect additions to your next picnic.
Domaine de Jarras Pink Flamingo Rosé and salads
It certainly wouldn’t be a list of 5 wines for picnics without a Rosé in the mix, and the Domaine de Jarras Pink Flamingo Rosé is the perfect addition to summer sipping. It’s affordable, retailing under $20 a bottle, and absolutely delicious. Refreshingly dry and crisp, this wine is perfect for cooling down on warm days. Notes of strawberry and raspberry come together with a hint of citrus and a lovely crisp finish. This wine is great on its own or alongside classic picnic snacks. It would also be great with lighter salads.
Break Free Wines Bliss Bomb and cheese platters
Pet-Nat is becoming a popular warm-weather refresher, and it’s perfect for bringing along to picnics. It’s the perfect smashable sparkling wine to enjoy with friends. The Break Free Wines Bliss Bomb is their first Pet-Nat, and is made from Swan Valley Chenin Blanc. Refreshing aromas of ginger and lemongrass come through on the nose, and the palate is packed full of fresh apples, pears and citrus. It’s the perfect thirst quencher for Summer, and even better when paired with a nice cheese platter!
Peter Lehmann Pinot Grigio and chicken
Pinot Grigio is a great white wine for enjoying during the day with its refreshing and easy drinking notes. The Peter Lehmann Portrait Pinot Grigio really ticks all the boxes as a great picnic wine for pairing with grilled chicken or pork. Notes of nectarine, red apples and pear come together into a wine that is classically crisp, and really affordable too! At 11.5% it is also on the lighter side so great for enjoying during the day.
Tahbilk Marsanne and Seafood
Tahbilk’s Marsanne is renowned for a reason, and their latest release is beautifully crisp with zesty minerality, making it perfect for enjoying alongside picnics. The great thing about Marsanne is that you can age it, or enjoy it now and get completely different wines! But enjoyed young, the Tahbilk Marsanne is perfect for pairing with fresh seafood, if you’re having a fancy picnic! If not, grilled chicken or fish would also be a great option. Notes of lemon, spice and pear come together in this palate-cleansing wine that’s really affordable too!
Orbis Wines Piquette and picnic spreads for low-alcohol sippers
Sometimes it can be great to have a low-alcohol alternative when you’re enjoying wine during the day. The Orbis Wines Piquette is a great thirst quencher and only 4.8% ABV. Perfect for enjoying when you are trying to cut back on your alcohol consumption. It hits the spot on warmer days with a lovely spritzy palate and fruit-driven notes of raspberry and strawberry. This wine would be great to enjoy with a sunset.
In summary: 5 wines for picnics
I hope this list of 5 wines for picnics inspires your next catch-up with plenty of wines perfect for every style. Whether you’re bringing a cheese board, a full lunch spread or having a BBQ, these wines are sure to deliver.