The perfect picnic: great weather, great friends, great food, and of course great wine. It's that time of year when sipping a glass of wine outside gets more inviting.
The perfect picnic is an impromptu affair with little planning - more time for relaxing on a blanket, soaking up some sun. Not sure what wine to pack for your next outing? We've been to a lot of picnics over the years, and have learned a thing or two about what works best. Below are some great wines to pick for your next summer soiree.
McHenry Hohnen Rocky Road Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Serving cheese and charcuterie? Nothing pairs well with creamy and salty snacks like a crisp white wine. Bring out the fruity aromatics of passionfruit and ruby grapefruit with every sip. Much like all great Sauvignon Blancs, McHenry Hohnen Rocky Road Semillion Sauvignon Blanc from the majestic region of Margaret River exhibits cut grass notes. Combine this with tropical aromas, fresh snow peas, pepper, and hints of roasted almond nuances and you get the perfect summertime drink. | |
Tyrian Clouds Sauvignon Blanc A brilliant wine from start to finish. This pale golden wine is Marlborough's best-kept secret. Light, refreshing, and deliciously juicy - Tyrian Clouds Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with the fresh goodness of guava and passionfruit with nuances of bready lees. Its vibrant acidity and bright fruit flavours make it just the perfect bottle you need to savour under the sun. Best enjoyed slightly chilled with your favourite platter of picnic snacks or consumed on its own – the choice is yours! | |
Volcanic Hills Pinot Gris
This wine’s floral, stone fruit, green apple, nectarine, and pear aromas are practically jumping out of the glass. Pinot Gris is on the more fruit-forward side of whites. They are fresh and zingy which makes them the ideal sip for afternoon picnics. Volcanic Hills Pinot Gris is bright, loaded with delicious fruit, led by fine acidity, a degree of spiciness, and a refreshingly dry finish. Make food come to life while refreshing your palate. Enjoy this beauty with salads or a platter of fresh seafood.
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Myattsfield Chardonnay
Smooth like Butter. Concentrated and creamy but not overly showy, this wine is balanced, complex, and layered. Crafted from the finest of grapes from the Bickley Valley in Perth Hills, Myattsfield Chardonnay meshes the lifted elegant aromatics of nectarine and white peach with citrus flavours and sweet oak nuances while underlying acidity achieves excellent balance. Pair this with bold cheeses like blue cheese, English hard cheddar, or some Camembert. It’s a sure crowd-pleaser.
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Volcanic Hills Rosé It’s not a picnic wine list without the signature pink drink. Add color to your blanket spread with Volcanic Hills Rosé from the stunning cool-climate grapes of Hawkes Bay Pinot Noir. Let the rich notes blossom on your palate and inhale bountiful aromas of fresh fruit: lush berries, glistening blackcurrants, and jaunty raspberry zinger tea. Luscious strawberry marshmallows flaunt their pink hue before sinking into a sea of gelato ice cream smoothness. Serve this bottle with your favourite dessert to cap off an amazing day out. |
It's true that wine and picnics have always gone hand-in-hand. There’s nothing that brings out great fun and great conversations like a glass of wine in the great outdoors. As you plan your next trip down the park, pick a bottle of your favourite wine. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Ultimately you should choose a wine based on your mood, who you're with, and the occasion itself. So don't be afraid to experiment! Cheers to hot summers and lasting memories.
