Picnic Time!
It’s warm out, and you have time to kick back and relax a bit. Perhaps a picnic is in order. Whether it be at the park, a campground or the beach, eating al fresco is always a great way to get out and enjoy the day. Some people get frazzled by the idea of matching wine with picnic food, but it can be a lot of fun and increase the pleasure of the meal.
Being a wine guy, I am always asked to help pair wine with food. Well, here are some suggestions for the perfect picnic:
First, remember it is warm and you may be active…especially at the beach. So keep the food light and fresh. Lots of fresh fruits, veggies and dip and cold entrees. I love cold fried chicken or simple sandwiches like brie and ham on a baguette.
Next, you’ll want to pair wine that is delicious, yet not overpowering for the food. try a light, fresh dry rosé or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Served cold, they are refreshing with the fried chicken or sandwiches.
Generally stay away from heavy reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel that are higher in alcohol. These can seem very alcohol driven and heavy when served warm and will not be refreshing or very food-friendly on a hot day.
If you truly prefer reds, then stick to lighter selections like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais Village or some Cotes du Rhone. These can be chilled slightly to make them more drinkable in hot weather without ruining the delicate flavors of the wine.
To really make things interesting why not plan an outdoor wine and cheese party? Invite some friends and pack up a bag with an assortment of cheeses, breads, fruit and perhaps some prosciutto, salami or other dried sausages. Then get a nice selection of unique and delicious white wines like Torrontes, Vermentino or Albarino, some rosé and one or two lighter reds (again, Pinot Noir or Cotes du Rhone will work well here). Your friends will be very impressed and you will have so much fun trying the different combinations of food and wine.
Or for another twist, do a tasting of sparkling wines. For this stick to lighter bubbly like Prosecco, but in addition add in some rosé spumante and Spanish Cava. Then pair with some cheeses, shrimp or crab cocktail. Perhaps finish with a Moscato D’Asti, whose slight effervescence, floral-like quality and sweetness refreshes the palate and matches well with desserts like pastry or a fruit tart.
Picnics can be much more than a deli sandwich and a soda. The possibilities are endless if you open up your mind and palette to the interesting and delicious flavor combinations warm weather wines and foods can bring to the party.
Just make sure you wait 20 minutes before swimming.
Being a wine guy, I am always asked to help pair wine with food. Well, here are some suggestions for the perfect picnic:
First, remember it is warm and you may be active…especially at the beach. So keep the food light and fresh. Lots of fresh fruits, veggies and dip and cold entrees. I love cold fried chicken or simple sandwiches like brie and ham on a baguette.
Next, you’ll want to pair wine that is delicious, yet not overpowering for the food. try a light, fresh dry rosé or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Served cold, they are refreshing with the fried chicken or sandwiches.
Generally stay away from heavy reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel that are higher in alcohol. These can seem very alcohol driven and heavy when served warm and will not be refreshing or very food-friendly on a hot day.
If you truly prefer reds, then stick to lighter selections like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais Village or some Cotes du Rhone. These can be chilled slightly to make them more drinkable in hot weather without ruining the delicate flavors of the wine.
To really make things interesting why not plan an outdoor wine and cheese party? Invite some friends and pack up a bag with an assortment of cheeses, breads, fruit and perhaps some prosciutto, salami or other dried sausages. Then get a nice selection of unique and delicious white wines like Torrontes, Vermentino or Albarino, some rosé and one or two lighter reds (again, Pinot Noir or Cotes du Rhone will work well here). Your friends will be very impressed and you will have so much fun trying the different combinations of food and wine.
Or for another twist, do a tasting of sparkling wines. For this stick to lighter bubbly like Prosecco, but in addition add in some rosé spumante and Spanish Cava. Then pair with some cheeses, shrimp or crab cocktail. Perhaps finish with a Moscato D’Asti, whose slight effervescence, floral-like quality and sweetness refreshes the palate and matches well with desserts like pastry or a fruit tart.
Picnics can be much more than a deli sandwich and a soda. The possibilities are endless if you open up your mind and palette to the interesting and delicious flavor combinations warm weather wines and foods can bring to the party.
Just make sure you wait 20 minutes before swimming.