What’s in your picnic basket? Fried chicken and gourmet sandwiches? Check. Salty chips, grandma’s deviled eggs, and your homemade pasta with sundried tomatoes and feta cheese? Check. Chilled, grilled vegetables from the farmer’s market? Check. A light yet savory summer salad that your best friend always begs you to make? Check. Fresh fruit and everyone’s favorite cookies? Check. Wow…I’ll be there!
Now double check. That woven container of mouthwatering summertime fare is begging for not just the striped blanket, but a few bottles of wine. I guarantee that there will be more than one picnic goer who will love to have a glass or two of our favorite beverage. But what wines will be sure to please?
Following are reviews of eight wines, sent to me as samples, that will complement everything in your basket. From beginning to end, your picnic will be an al fresco success when any of these delightful wines are poured and enjoyed. Cheers to that!
Rosa Regale (sample) – Of course you have to start any picnic with bubbles! From the Piedmont region of Italy, a glass of Rosa Regale will be a stylish start to your gathering. Beginning with subtle aromas of roses and pomegranate, I found delicate flavors of ripe cranberries, strawberries, and raspberries. The effervescence of this refreshing sparkling wine lingered…as well as the deliciousness on my palate. Cost is around $18.
Lindeman’s Pinot Grigio Bin 85 2015 (sample) –
From South Eastern Australia is Lindeman’s Pinot Grigio, a wine that is sure to please everyone’s palate. Delightful aromas of juicy melon and peach will entice you to take that first sip. I found notes of bright citrus in this medium bodied wine that had a lovely, crisp finish. Refreshingly approachable, the price is a mere $8.
Concha Y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (sample) – What’s not to love about a Sauvignon Blanc that exudes aromas of tropical fruit, grapefruit, pineapple, and a hint of salinity? From Colchagua Valley in Chile, this beautiful wine boasts bracing acidity and notes of more juicy tropical fruit, herbs, and freshly mowed grass on the palate, as well as a long, flavorful finish. Cost is $17.
Louis Jadot Macon-Villages 2014 (sample) – A Chardonnay from the Burgundy region has to be expensive? I don’t think so! Louis Jadot has produced a lovely wine with aromas of bright citrus, white flowers, and a hint of stone fruit. Just-right acidity and flavors of juicy citrus, crisp apple, and minerality are as refreshing as the price on this easy drinking wine. Cost is $14.99.
Van Duzer Pinot Noir Rosé 2015 (sample) – There is a place at every picnic for a bottle of the Van Duzer Pinot Noir Rosé from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Wafting from the glass were mesmerizing aromas of ripe, just-picked strawberries, melon, and violets. After the first sip, flavors of juicy raspberries, strawberries, and pomegranate tantalized the taste buds. Balanced with food friendly acidity and soft tannins, the long and refreshing finish on this dry rosé may encourage you to purchase several extra bottles for your next picnic. Cost is $20.
Clos de la Tech Pinot Noir 2010 (sample) – This is a splurge wine that I just had to add to the list, thanks to its luxurious palate profile. From vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, this powerful Pinot Noir presented intense, broad aromas of exotic spice, vanilla, eucalyptus, cherries, plums, and dark red fruit. The finely tuned palate was balanced with firm tannins and notes of earth, spice, hint of black pepper, oak, and more of its signature red fruit…all of which led to a long, luscious finish. This Pinot Noir is well worth the cost of $42.
Mercer Sharp Sisters Horse Heaven Hills Red Blend 2013 (sample) – Ahhh, a red blend, one of my favorites! Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot are the players in this deliciously elegant wine from Horse Heaven Hills in the state of Washington. Gentle aromas of blueberries, plums, vanilla, and a hint of lavender were mesmerizing. On the palate, I found a touch of spice, caramel, more dark, ripe purple fruit, soft tannins, and food friendly acidity. The lingering finish will prompt you to pour another glass. Cost is around $23.
Rutini Encuentro Malbec 2013 (sample) – Every picnic involves a bit of grilling, doesn’t it? The Rutini Encuentro Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina will be the perfect complement for anything you barbeque. This Malbec, with its intense aromas of red fruit and vanilla, boasted tastes of chocolate, caramel, juicy red berry jam and a long, satin-like finish. Well integrated tannins and lively acidity provide a solid foundation to this well balanced wine. Cost is $18.99.
Cheers to a perfect picnic! ~ Cindy
