Wine Tip of the Week: Eat This Drink That Series - Picnic Time

The summer months means its time to pack up some good food and good wine (for those of legal drinking age) and head out to enjoy the outdoors.  Unless like me you live in the desert, in which case we just wait for November to roll around so we can get our proper picnic on. 

Eating this?:

• Picnic Grub. All picnics are not created equal, but here I'm talking about lighter cheeses, ham, cold chicken, tuna salad sandwiches, fresh fruit, and of course some salty snacks.

Drink this:

• Riesling.  A well chilled Riesling with a big of sweetness (an off-dry wine, not a sweet dessert style wine) will go nicely with a big variety of foods. I especially enjoy the interaction of a fruity Riesling with lightly smoked meats or cheeses. I am not talking about the "smoked mozzarella" where they package the stuff in liquid smoke, but something that was actually smoked.
• Bubbles. A simple sparkling wine - white or rosé is also very versatile, and can help turn a picnic into an even more special event. No need to go for anything expensive, just a simple California Sparkling wine, or my favorite a Spanish Cava - and you are good to go!
• Sauvignon Blanc. Especially if you are having any salads with acidic/vinegar based dressing or anything with fresh herbs - Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice. Stick with the crisp, stainless steel fermented and aged wines and not the heavier versions that see some time in oak barrels. 

Avoid this:

• Gewürztraminer. If someone points you in this direction, and some do for a picnic wine - they are not taking into account that this wine (although fun to say  - gah vertz trah me ner) is actually not a very easy wine to match up with food. It can be high in alcohol, low in acidity and is really best with stronger cheeses and rich, fatty dishes.  It is a very aromatic wine that is nice to sip on a hot day - but before or after that picnic only!
• Avoid Big Reds. Unless your going to be grilling up a steak at the park, or your basket is full of stronger cheeses and sausages - leave the big red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah at home.  Lighter, fruitier reds like Pinot Noir or a Crianza Rioja would be better if you want to drink something red. Better yet - go just a little red and choose a Rosé.