How to Pack for the Perfect Wine Picnic

Top 5 Summer Wine Picnic Tips with Jessica Altieri

If you’re looking to woo a wine lover, take advantage of good weather and hit the park. Laying down with a loved one, sampling the finer wines and cheeses from local markets is about as romantic as it gets. But to ensure a fine feast with the proper accoutrements, follow these guidelines.

“Sip Some Austria” continues as Jessica Altieri, CEO and host of Wine Channel TV, visits with Cellar Master Albert Gesellmann of Winery Gesellmann in Mittelburgenland, Austria. The history of the Gesellman Estate dates back to official documents found from 1776. In the 1980’s, Engelbert Gesellmann pioneered the red wine icons Opus Eximium (since 1988) and Bela Rex (since 1992), using international grape varieties and French casks. Today, all Gesellmann wines are aged in wooden casks, so that “they can find inner harmony in peace before they are bottled and sent out into the world.” The vineyards are situated in Mittelburgenland with 40 hectares among the southern foothills of the Ödenburg mountains up to the Günser uplands. The region enjoys sunny days and cool nights—ideal conditions for complex wines into autumn. As grapes are harvested, every single berry is checked so that only the best grapes are used, with some grapes grown from Gesellmann’s 90-year-old vines. Winery Gesellmann is proud to be a “Top 5-Star” winery with countless awards including a recent Decanter World Wine Award 2016 Silver Metal for the OP Eximium No. 26. In 2011, the renowned FALSTAFF wine magazine voted Winery Gesellmann’s 2009 Bela Rex Austria's best red wine. The white wines by Gesellmann are expressive as the stony vineyards, situated within the foothills of a former volcano. The unique soil infuses the Chardonnay Steinriegel with a broad range of aromas and fine mineral flavor notes. Stay tuned to Wine Channel TV for more exclusive “Sip Some Austria” featured videos. Prost!

Picnic-ware

Non-negotiable: Bring a classic whicker picnic basket and blanket. You can find these picnic staples at the local goodwill store or via Pottery Barn or World Market. Some picnic baskets come ready-made with a blanket and the appropriate cutlery. But, if supplying your own cutlery, don’t settle for plastic. Bring nice silverware and wash when you return home. Don’t forget the spreaders for cheeses and jams. Fresh flowers add a nice touch.

Cheeses

Arrange for a quality array of cheeses. Diversify your selection: Think one hard cheese, one soft cheese and one ripened cheese. Tasteful cheese varieties include Asiago, Parmesan, Gouda, mozzarella, provolone, Brie and Gorgonzola. Though with 2000 variations of cheese in the world, feel free to sample your local market or grocer into a customized selection.

Meats

Select dried meats that do not require refrigeration such as coppa, speck and salami. Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham that compliments wine and cheese nicely. Bring two or three different meat selections, as you won’t want to skimp on the opportunity to keep your date protein-fueled and the date lasting as long as possible.

Fruits

Include a mixture of dry and fresh fruits. For dried fruits, compose a collection of cranberries, dates, figs, dried Mangos or apricots. Fresh fruits cleanse the palate and should include a medley of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, apple slices, fresh figs, cantaloupe, watermelon or grapes. To help decide, ask your picnic mate for his or her favorite fruit, and especially inquire for any allergies.

Grains

The cheeses and jams require a vehicle: crackers and bread. Pack a few cracker variations such as almond crackers, light wafers, multi-grain rounds or wheat thins. Include a bread as well: a French baguette, sourdough loaf, rolls or croissants. Feeling ambitious? Nothing beats a home-baked loaf.

Optional

Nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts and cashews, compliment cheese, crackers and dried fruits. Olives, either Kalamata or green varieties, additionally pair well. Don’t forget the sweets: honey, dark chocolate, grilled brown-sugar peaches and jams. Veggies provide refreshing nutrients: grilled eggplant, sliced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers or avocado.