Entertaining | Which wine to take on a picnic?

Entertaining

Which wine to take on a picnic?

I’ve been holding off writing about this subject hoping that the weather in the UK might improve but since it now seems that summer may pass us by totally I might as well take the plunge (to choose an inappropriate metaphor).

The result of our recent poll showed a clear majority of you - 38% - thought ros was an ideal drink to take on a picnic and I’d concur with that. Although ros drinking has become popular on all sorts of occasions it is the quintessential summer wine, ideal for drinking with cold out-of-door food. Personally I’d stick to the more traditional, lighter styles of ros rather than the newer, more alcoholic ones. A picnic wine for me should be light and swiggable rather than a 14% blockbuster or a serious wne to savour.

Having said that there are occasions when picnics take the form of out-of-door dinner parties (the opera festival Glyndebourne being a classic example). For these champagne, particularly ros champagne is the perfect answer - stylish but still carefree and faintly frivolous as picnic drinking should be. Several of you obviously agree as 26% of you said sparkling wine was your favourite wine to take on a picnic. You may also have had in mind some of the very pleasant but inexpensive sparklers that these days are almost as cheap as comparable still wines. Into that category I would put Cava, Prosecco or, if you’re sharing your picnic with adventurous friends, an authentic red Lambrusco which is wonderful with cold meats and charcuterie.

If you’re thinking of red wines I would again go for lighter styles - the sort you can chill. Red wines from the Loire such as Bourgeuil, Chinon and Saumur-Champigny or other Cabernet Franc-based wines fit this description as does Beaujolais (snap up some of the very good 2005s that are still around). And Pinot Noir, of course.

21% of you favoured a rustic red which could also be said to describe the simple kind of vin rouge you can pick up in bulk from French co-ops. What the mythical Frenchman would take on a picnic with his baguette, saucisson and trusty knife.

And what about white wine? Well, personally I think basic ros outclasses basic white for a picnic but if you’re having a posh picnic or one where seafood is involved than it’s good to take along a really nice Sauvignon Blanc or other crisp, zesty white (maybe a blend of Sauvignon and Semillon, an Albarino or even a premier cru Chablis which is what we were drinking with friends at home last night with some smoked salmon pat and fresh crab toasts).

Whichever wine you take, make sure it’s chilled or, in the case of reds, cool. There are plenty of gadgets that will help you keep your wine at an ideal drinking temperature. (Warm wine never tastes nice on a picnic)

One final point. Take a delicious soft drink along too for non-drinkers and drivers. Tart, refreshing home-made or traditionally made lemonade is my favourite for picnics. A surprising 15% of you agreed so don’t count on the wine-drinkers sticking to their bottles!

 

If you found this post helpful and would like to support the website which is free to use it would be great if you'd make a donation towards its running costs or sign up to my regular Substack newsletter Eat This, Drink That for extra benefits.

CONTRIBUTE HERE

Comments: 0 (Add)

Recent posts …

About FionaAbout FionaEvents and appearancesEvents and appearancesWork with meWork with me
Loading