Best wine for a picnic
Picnic wine has specific requirements. It needs to travel well, survive without perfect temperature control, work with a variety of foods, and be pleasant to drink outdoors in warm weather. Here is what to bring.
The case for screwcap
A picnic is one of the few occasions where screwcap is genuinely better than cork. No corkscrew needed, no risk of the bottle leaking in your bag, and the wine keeps better once opened. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and most Australian whites come in screwcap as standard. This is not a compromise — some excellent wines use screwcap.
Best whites for a picnic
Sauvignon Blanc is the obvious choice — its fresh, grassy, citrus character is one of the most reliably enjoyable wines on a warm day. A Marlborough Sauvignon at £12–16 is hard to beat. Vermentino or Pinot Grigio from northern Italy work well with picnic food — charcuterie, cheese, salads. Both are light enough to drink without food if the weather is hot.
Best reds for a picnic
If you want red, go light and serve it slightly chilled. Beaujolais — particularly a Fleurie or Morgon — is excellent picnic wine. Its low tannin, bright fruit, and slight chill make it one of the most versatile outdoor reds. A light Pinot Noir from Chile or New Zealand works similarly. Avoid heavy, tannic reds — they taste harsh in warm weather and outside of a meal.
Sparkling options
Crémant — sparkling wine made outside Champagne using the same method — is excellent picnic fizz at £12–18. Crémant de Loire, Crémant d'Alsace, and Crémant de Bourgogne are all reliably good and significantly cheaper than Champagne. A good Cava from Spain offers similar value. Both travel and chill well.
Eating out? Pour reads the restaurant wine list and picks the right bottle for your dish.
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