Ready for a Picnic? Don’t Forget to Include These Pretty in Pink and White Wine Selections
This article originally appeared in the June/July, 2016 issue of Bellingham Alive magazine.
Late spring and early summer is the time of year when Northwesterners will use almost any excuse to pack up the picnic basket, grab a bottle of wine, and dine outdoors.
Leave those heavier, full-bodied reds for the barbeque. Picnicking practically demands you choose something lighter, brighter, and slightly chilled; and here’s where most white whites and rosés really shine.
You’ll find that they pair perfectly with a variety of standard picnic foods such as fried chicken, pasta and potato salads, or even a simple baguette with mild cheeses.
Be sure to put these wines at the top of your list and you’ll be near-certain to please anyone joining you on your next picnic. Here are a few recommendations:
WHITE-HOT CHOICES
Chill down the Ruffino Lumina 2014 Pinot Grigio (about $10) and you’ve got an excellent picnic-friendly/budget-friendly white wine. It’s clean and green with lovely aromatics of clover and white peach along with zesty lemon/lime flavors and great finishing acidity.
Greek wines have come a long way as of late and if you’ve been concerned about the quality, the Alpha Estate 2015 Malagouzia (about $18) should put those fears to rest. This full-bodied white wine strikes a nice balance between its herbaceous and citrus flavor profiles and a crisp, yet lingering finish is capped with a subtle but distinctive note of evergreen and rosemary.
New Zealand’s Marlborough appellation is world-famous for its Sauvignon Blanc and Kim Crawford Wines serves up a pair of current releases that will make great picnic wines. Their 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (about $18) is loaded with lemongrass and key lime flavors and accentuated with racy acidity and a hint of strawberry rhubarb; and the 2015 Small Parcels, Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc (about $26) is a bit heavier in body and broader ranging with flavors of tropical fruit, pineapple, ruby-red grapefruit and a kiss of stone fruits on the trailing end.
If you prefer your Sauvignon Blancs a little less edgy, then Walla Walla’s Palencia Wine Company 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (about $18) should easily put a smile on your face. This absolute gem of a wine is virtually colorless, yet it explodes with brioche aromatics, luscious pear, peach and nectarine flavors and a brisk finish with a hint of herbaceousness.
Also purchase-worthy is the Palencia Wine Company 2015 Albariño (about $18), which took Best of Show honors at this year’s Cascadia Wine Competition in Hood River, Oregon. Granny Smith apple and kiwi fruits lead off, followed by touches of allspice, green herb, and citrus zest. Try it with a shrimp salad or smoked salmon and cream cheese on crostini.
This year’s release of the Conundrum 2014 California White Wine (about $25) marks the 25th anniversary of a diverse, proprietary blend that’s a perennial favorite of many wine enthusiasts. It explodes with big, juicy Bartlett pear and apricot flavors to start, followed by crisp apple on the mid-palate, and then a faintly sweet finish with a touch of ambrosia.
PRETTY IN PINK
The Tarantas Non-Vintage Sparkling Rosé (about $10) from Spain is packaged in a beautiful, elongated bottle and made from certified organic Bobal grapes. Generous red currant and red berry flavors fill the glass, followed by a soft, dry finish that’s lightly carbonated.
Another sparkler worth considering is the Ruffino Non-Vintage Sparking Rosé (about $15). Flavors and aromas of wild strawberries highlight this newly released Prosecco that’s blended with a touch of Pinot Noir to provide a lovely shade of pink. The off-dry finish is both slightly crisp and slightly creamy, giving the wine a near-elegant quality that makes it a pleasure to taste.
Rich Funk of Walla Walla’s Saviah Cellars has produced yet another winner with his 2015 The Jack Rosé (about $12). This 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Sangiovese offers plenty of bang for the buck, with ample red cherry and berry flavors, a splash of acidity and great food-pairing potential; perhaps with prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe or honeydew melon.
Bold and tasteful, Oregon’s Stoller Family Estate 2015 Pinot Noir Rosé (about $25) displays a shimmering, pale pink color with pleasant aromas of field flowers and slate. It’s followed by an impressive array of flavors from citrus to green melon to Red Delicious apple. A picnic food pairing suggestion: crab-stuffed deviled eggs.
Finally, be sure to try the just-released Jones of Washington 2015 Rosé of Syrah (about $14). The wine’s striking ruby color is matched by mouthwatering flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and watermelon along with laser-sharp acidity and steely minerality on the finish. Incredibly well-priced, it’s an exceptional choice for any picnic basket.