Perfect Wine Pairings for Picnics

Wine is the perfect cocktail to bring for a picnic in the park.  It's easy to transport, and is as enjoyable warm as it is chilled.  Matching wine with traditional picnic foods can be tricky, so take a couple cues for the most popular packable foods.

Hot Dogs

A sweet, fruity Riesling is just the match for a hot dog loaded with relish, pickles or hot peppers. The versatile wine is very "food friendly" and pairs well with a wide assortment of eats. Try

• Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Johannesberg Riesling: strong florals with a hint of melon and apricot.
• Trimbach Riesling: full of flavor with fruit undertones and a bit of an acidic finish.
• Josef Leitz Rdesheimer Drachenstein "Dragonstone" Riesling: fairly sweet with a honey and grapefruit flavor.
• Fritz Haag Estate Riesling: packs a nice, refreshing citrus punch.

Salami & Cheese (Brie or Manchego)

This classic picnic sandwich is well suited for a great Merlot. Here are a few to try:

• Quail Ridge Merlot: complex and sophisticated, but can be hard to find and pricey.
• Coho Wines Merlot: intense, smooth and juicy.
• Huntington Wine Cellars Merlot: robust and earthy with dark cherry and plum flavors.
• Matanzas Creek Winery Merlot: spicy and smooth with notes of blackberry.

Burgers

It's all about the condiments! If you're using...

• A Specialty Cheese: Pair the wine to whichever cheese you use on top of the burger. For blue cheese, try a Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Lots of Ketchup: Try fruity or sweet wines, such as a rose. Check out our article on Top 5 Roses for great suggestions.
• Lots of Pickles or Coleslaw: A dry red wine, like a Syrah, is a good choice.
• No Condiments: Lots of red meat from the burger requires a strong, warm red wine. Try Canaletto Primitivo.

Fried Chicken

Good, old fashioned fried chicken tastes excellent when paired with Semillon, a white wine with a full body and low acidity. Here are some top Semillon picks:

• Peter Lehmann Barossa Semillon: sits nicely between the lightness of a Riesling and the depth of a Chardonnay.
• De Bortoli Sacred Hill Semillon: oaky and dry with citrus notes.
• Fire Gully Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: full bodied and dry with a crisp finish.
• Torbreck The Woodcutter's Semillon: very intense; buttery and crisp at the same time.