Picnics can be so much more fun than fine dining or a meticulously prepared meal. Often the joy of eating outdoors is its spontaneity, simplicity and informality. So never mind the grand cru and the white tablecloth, make a last- minute dash to the supermarket for a selection of cold meats, a few cheeses and, yes — a bottle of something light and refreshing.
A crisp, easy-drinking white with plenty of fruit is a good catch-all. Albariño, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio and vermentino all do the trick; Tesco’s 2024 Wairau Cove Reserve Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand (£10) is a case in point, with its vibrant gooseberry and aromas of cut grass.
If it’s lunchtime you could choose a lighter wine such as M&S’s dry and refreshing 2024 Classics No 7 Vinho Verde from Portugal (£7.50), which is just the bottle for whiling away an afternoon with its slight spritz, green apple and citrus. On the subject of spritz, our high streets are full of well-priced fizz. Try the floral and peachy NV Terre di Faiano Organic Spumante Brut from Emilia-Romagna in Italy (Waitrose, £11).
Given the British weather, it’s no bad idea to pack a bottle of red for when the dark clouds appear. You want something nice and juicy like a beaujolais, a southern hemisphere pinot noir or perhaps a light northern Italian red, such as a dolcetto or a valpolicella. More unusual is Portugal’s 2022 Sedoso Douro from the Co-op (£8.75). Silky-textured and packed with red fruit, it’s a great pairing with cold meats. And if you’ve neglected to bring the corkscrew, don’t pass over the convenience of wines in a can. The Uncommon English White Wine Spritzer (Ocado, £4.55 for 250ml) offers a slug of cucumber and the flavours of early summer. Just the thing to get your alfresco celebration under way.
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2024 Castillo de Sierra Cava Rosé
Spain (11%)
Morrisons, £7
A light, fruity sparkling rosé bursting with strawberry, red apple and cherry. Ideal for a relaxed evening in the park.
2024 Pinot Noir
Romania (12.5%)
Waitrose, £7
Romania has an ancient winemaking lineage and this marries a soft, juicy texture with a wave of inviting dark fruit. Great value.
2024 Taste the Difference Discovery Souvignier Gris
France (12.5%)
Sainsbury’s, £9.50
This blend of souvignier gris and sauvignon blanc is vibrant, floral and refreshing.
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2023 Rimini DOC Bianco
Italy (12%)
Majestic, £10
A clean, crisp, trebbiano-dominant white from Emilia-Romagna, this imparts a zesty burst of citrus and a touch of apple.
2024 Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé
France (14.5%)
Ocado, £14.25
This salmon-pink rosé is a full-bodied mix of classic Rhône grapes, making it ideal for picnics and barbecues.
2023 Cascina delle Monache Bricco della Lodra
Italy (12.5%)
The Oxford Wine Company, £15.50
Dolcetto at its best, this lovely smooth red has hints of violet, berry, spice and plum.
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Bargain of the week
2022 Finest Saint-Chinian
France (13.5%)
Tesco, £8.50, down from £9.50
A brilliant all-rounder that oozes soft dark fruit, cherry and spice on the finish.
