Culture: The Best Picnic Wines, from Rosés to Deep Reds

Jun 17, 2023

Culture Wine

You’re sitting in a park under the shade of an oak tree on a lightly-padded blue blanket. There’s a pick-up soccer game in the distance and other park-goers are scattered about, lying on blankets, reading books or simply soaking up some rays. You spot your group of friends coming down the path with a picnic basket. They were responsible for the food, while you were in charge of finding the perfect wine. The bottle is—of course—set beside you chilled in a cooler. As they get closer you pour the wine into accompanying glasses and hear the satisfying “glug, glug.” Yes, a picnic on a warm day with an exquisite bottle of wine is how to do summer right.

But what makes a good picnic wine?

“A picnic wine should be aromatic, relatively light and taste good when chilled,” says Wine Enthusiast’s Jim Gordon, senior editor of the Tasting Department and reviewer of wines from California.

Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast’s Tasting Director and reviewer of wines from Burgundy and Rhône, echoes this sentiment. “The wines should be delicious, flavorful and fun to share with other people. They should also be easy to manage, meaning you won’t have to worry too much about temperature or aeration.”

Of course, finding wine that everyone can enjoy and is easy to pair with food can be a tall order. Luckily, we pulled together some of our favorite picnic wines, from whites to reds, to help you get started.

With vivid fruit and floral aromas, these white wines complement a wide range of foods. As a bonus, they are on the lighter side and won’t weigh you down.

Very aromatic, this fruit-bowl of a wine exudes honeysuckle and orange blossoms before just-ripe apple, white cherry and papaya flavors hit the palate. The wine is fragrant, charming and not too full in body to enjoy a second glass. 92 Points. —Jim Gordon

Don’t like Gewürztraminer? A dry, stainless steel beauty is prepared to pierce your dogma. This classic perfumed nose of rose water, peach cobbler, clove spice and apple mint breaks down your defenses, then the medium-bodied wine’s orange marmalade and ginger flavors win you over for good. 94 Points. —Michael Alberty

This is the Gewürztraminer for lovers of Gewürztraminer. The wine hits all the key markers of this amazing grape: tropical fruit, rose and herbal. Each note is in near-perfect balance making this a supreme example of this grape. The palate mirrors the nose with lychee, rose, wild mint and exotic spices working in harmony so no one outweighs the others. Drink now–2035. 93 Points. — Jeff Porter

Light, refreshing and divine when chilled, we can’t think of a more satisfying beverage to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Graceful aromas of apples, pears and white flowers are the primary scents of this pretty Prosecco. Subtle stone notes of river rock are present on both the nose and palate, which lead to the creamy mouthfeel and vibrant acidity. 92 Points. — J.P.

If I had not seen the crystal clear shimmering wine in the glass, I would have thought this was a Bellini on the nose. The vibrant and intense peach aroma dominates the wine. There are subtle hints of mint and lemon, but this wine is a peach orchard in a bottle. Luckily, the bright acidity keeps the wine intact and allows it to end vibrantly and with a freshness that a Bellini lacks. 91 Points. — J.P.

This medium-bodied sparkling is boosted by its creamy backbone and persistent mousse. Excellent acidity brings fruits and florals to life. Find notes of lemon, lime, green apple, white peach and peach skin, orange pith, toasted bread, raw almond, baby’s breath and potpourri. The finish is long, lingering. 92 Points. —Stacy Briscoe

Hello! Rosés are meant for drinking outdoors, with food and near the ocean, lake, river or pool.

Château de Pourcieux 2022 Rosé (Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire)

A strongly textured wine, this has a cool edge. Its red fruits are lifted by a mineral characteristic and bright acidity. The wine needs to age a little further. Drink this fine wine later in 2023. 91 Points. — Roger Voss

Full of red fruits that are freshened with citrus, the wine is bright and lively. Its acidity and vibrant fruits are up front and buoyant. Drink now. 90 Points. — R.V.

Coral colored and smelling of early summer strawberries and cream, watermelon and a gentle spice, this unusual blend of Mourvèdre, Montepulciano and Tempranillo is light, dry and refreshing. The same juicy, summery fruits carry through to the palate. Straightforward but made with a light touch, this wine will be downed at lightening speed. 90 Points. — Christina Pickard

Don’t count red out. These bottles pair well with a wide array of food and are light enough to enjoy in the heat of summer.

Dark-ruby to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of cherry, blackberry and dried hillside herbs. It is bright on entry, with flavors of cranberry, raspberry, mint and lavender. The finish is marked by notes of orange zest and butterscotch. 90 Points. — Mike DeSimone

This light and lively Zinfandel incorporates fresh, bright red and black fruit aromas and flavors along with a lovely integration of floral notes and subtle oak tones. Earthiness adds depth and complexity. Rich, mouthcoating tannins will smooth with time, but this wine is absolutely enjoyable right now. 90 Points. —S.B.

“Vibrant red” is the first thing that comes to mind when engaging with this red wine. Find aromas and flavors of fresh raspberry, wild strawberry, red plum, cranberry and pomegranate complemented by notes of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and hints of roses, violets and jasmine blossom. A well-balanced acidity keeps fresh fruits forward from start to finish and adding a lightness and brightness to the wine as a whole. 90 Points. —S.B.

Best Bold Red Wines for Picnics

If slow-cooked barbecue or burgers are involved in an outdoor feast, you need bold reds.

Peppery, funky aromas and good meaty, savory flavors distinguish this full-bodied, cool-climate wine. It offers ample red and black cherries plus a smoky, spicy element that seems perfect for slow-cooked barbecue or burgers. 91 Points. — J.G.

It can be helpful to look for wines that have flavors and aromas of cherry, watermelon, saline and lemonade, which are common in many dishes and will make them easier to pair, notes Gordon.

But at the end of the day, it’s all about your preferred taste. As you can see from the list above, you certainly aren’t limited to any one style.

“If you decide your ideal picnic wine is a fizzy Trousseau, great,” says Cabrales. “If you’re with a very serious wine drinking crowd and feel the need to bring a high-end bottle, then go for it. Bring something that you and others will enjoy.”

First and foremost, you’ll need a wine opener. (Of course, we have some handy tricks, should you forget one!). Second-most important item to pack in your tote? Glassware, which can range from acrylic, plastic to stemless. If you do opt to go the traditional stemware route, consider springing for a padded tote bag like this one. That way, you won’t spend the picnic cleaning up broken glass. Lastly, Cabrales suggests bringing some napkins for potential spills.

Nothing kills the buzz quite like a lukewarm rosé or sparkling wine.

“Virtually all whites, sparklings and rosés taste good chilled, but not ice cold,” says Gordon. “It’s also why I recommend avoiding high tannin, fuller-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Syrah for a picnic. However, many Pinot Noirs, inexpensive Merlots, Zinfandels, Chiantis, Grenaches and GSM blends can take a chill and keep on kicking.”

Gordon and Cabrales have a few tricks to keep your wine nice and cool.

“If I’m bringing multiple bottles to share with friends, sometimes I’ll line a water-resistant picnic bag with ice packs or frozen bottles of water to help with temperature,” says Cabrales. “Or I’ll even bring chilled wines in an insulated or stainless-steel-lined thermos if I don’t want to bring the bag.”

Similarly, Gordon suggests a cooler with ice. “Or bring your wine in an insulated bag and throw in a couple of those freezer packs stashed in the fridge because you didn’t know how to recycle them. There are also good custom-made wine carriers with built-in insulation that work for several hours if you pre-chill your wine in the fridge.”

All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.

Last Updated: July 13, 2023

Possessed NV Godess Pinot Rosé (Willamette Valley)

DFJ Vinhos 2022 Grand'Arte Chardonnay Chardonnay (Lisboa)

DFJ Vinhos 2020 Paxis Reserva Red (Lisboa)

Quinta do Vale Meão 2020 Meandro Red (Douro)

Schweiger 2021 Estate Bottled Chardonnay (Spring Mountain District)

Bodegas Murviedro 2018 Sericis Cepas Viejas Bobal Bobal (Utiel-Requena)

Beckstone 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills)

Revelation by Goose Ridge 2022 Rosé (Goose Gap)

Château Sainte Marguerite 2022 Fantastique Rosé (Côtes de Provence)

Maison Sainte Marguerite 2022 Symphonie Rosé (Côtes de Provence)

Daou 2022 Sauvignon Blanc (Paso Robles)

J. Lohr 2021 South Ridge Syrah (Paso Robles)

Zenato 2019 Ripassa Red

Zenato 2020 Alanera Red (Rosso del Veronese)

ALDI 2021 Bear Bros. Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

ALDI 2020 Exquisite Collection Chardonnay (California)

Eternal 2019 Eternal Evolution Skin Contact White White (Columbia Valley (WA))

Domaine de Cala 2022 Rosé (Coteaux Varois en Provence)

OTU 2022 Otuwhero Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Awatere Valley)

Ca' del Bosco NV Cuvée Prestige 44 Edizione Extra Brut Sparkling (Franciacorta)

Zenato 2017 Cresasso Corvina (Veronese)

Evening Land 2021 La Source Chardonnay (Eola-Amity Hills)

Evening Land 2021 Summum Chardonnay (Eola-Amity Hills)

Château d'Esclans 2021 Garrus Rosé (Côtes de Provence)

Esteban Martín 2019 Garnacha-Syrah-Tempranillo 6M Red (Cariñena)

Grgich Hills 2019 Miljenko's Selection Crljenak Kaštelanski Estate Grown Zinfandel (Napa Valley)

Grgich Hills 2018 Estate Grown Zinfandel (Napa Valley)

Grgich Hills 2019 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Cà di Rajo NV Extra Dry Glera (Prosecco Treviso)

Cà di Rajo 2021 Millesimato Rosé Brut Sparkling (Prosecco Treviso)

Château Doyac 2020 Cru Bourgeois (Haut-Médoc)

Collina San Ponzio 2019 Fossati Nebbiolo (Barolo)

Tyrrell's 2020 Rufus Stone Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River)

Tyrrell's 2022 Semillon (Hunter Valley)

Château Vignelaure 2022 Rosé (Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence)

Monteabellón 2021 5 Meses en Barrica Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)

Dominio de Atauta 2019 La Celestina Crianza Tinto Fino (Ribera del Duero)

Bodegas Luzón 2019 Alma de Luzón Monastrell-Syrah (Jumilla)

Inurrieta 2021 Norte Roble Red (Navarra)

Virtus 2019 El Sueco Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)

Viñas Murillo 2021 Chapirete Prefiloxerico Verdejo Verdejo (Rueda)

Casa Natal 2020 Reserva Malbec (Mendoza)

Sanford 2020 La Rinconada Vineyard Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)

Browne Family Vineyards 2020 Forest Project Red (Columbia Valley (WA))

Browne Family Vineyards 2022 Bitner Estate Grenache Rosé (Columbia Valley (WA))

Sartori 2015 Corte Brá Red (Amarone della Valpolicella)

Sartori 2016 Reius Red (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)

Sign Up For Wine Enthusiast Emails For Discounts And More!

Welcome to Wineenthusiast.com! By using our website and/or subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our Privacy Policy