Torrid heat and laziness usually go hand in hand, which is why a picnic is a perfect solution to combat both. When the temperatures are too high to organise a barbecue in the garden or an excursion outdoors (but you still feel like doing something different from the usual siesta on the sofa) an open-air lunch in the shade of a tree is a great alternative, the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and nibble on something good while enjoying the best of summer.

Here are the perfect picnic wines to turn an outdoor lunch into a tasteful adventure!

Red wines for picnics: Make way for lightness!

There is much to be said about picnic reds, especially to disprove the cliché that states that these wines are not at all suitable for the summer season. Although this theory is based on well-established elements (high alcohol content, high serving temperature and an intense taste) the extraordinary variety of the wine world offers numerous light and youthful alternatives that can be served chilled (it is obligatory to have a cooler).

Frappato DOC

Among the best red picnic wines Svinando proposes a Dumè Frappato Sicilia DOC.

With its intense, almost purplish ruby colour, it almost seems to flaunt its decisive traits, when in fact the perceived sensations on tasting are fresh and pleasant.

In spite of its good structure, the aromas of small fruits - blackberry and raspberry - are lively, as is the mouthfeel, satisfying and velvety. Served at 16°C, it is an excellent accompaniment to salmon club sandwiches, mini fish burgers, octopus and potato salads or croutons with aubergine cream dip or hummus of various kinds.

Schiava DOC

From the volcanic soils of Sicily, we move on to the alpine viticulture of Trentino-Alto Adige, whose most worthy fruits include 'Cum Vineis Sclavis' Schiava Trentino DOC 2022. Fragrant and drinkable, this product is characterised by a bright ruby red colour and organoleptic traits that refresh the senses with every sip.

Primary aromas include notes of raspberry and cherry, while the sip is enriched by a bitter almond aftertaste.

A lover of aperitifs, it goes particularly well with cold meats, sausages and cheeses, but also with white meats. It can therefore be enjoyed with chicken meatballs or a chicken salad, with a feta salad or mini tarts with cherry tomatoes and cheese, or - for an even more mouth-watering meal - with a slice of quiche lorraine, typically filled with cream, bacon and cheese.

The best wines for a picnic in the park: the whites speak!

Light-heartedness, lightness and minerality: these are the characteristics that cannot be lacking in white wines for picnics, which are usually called upon to accompany seafood recipes, salads, vegetarian rustic or white meats.

Chardonnay

There are elegant, structured whites that go well with complex preparations, and others that make lightness and liveliness their trademarks. Among the latter, Chardonnay stands out.

From one of the world's best-known and most important international grape varieties have seen the light of highly successful Italian declinations, including 'Finis' Chardonnay Salento IGP 2022, an Apulian wine with a straw-yellow colour mottled with green hues, and intriguing aromas of tangerine and peach. Refreshing and lively on the palate, it is at its best during a picnic when paired with mozzarella and cherry tomato skewers, vegetarian wraps, vegetable rustics and potato and prawn salads. Versatility: check!

Sauvignon Blanc DOC

Continuing in the wake of the sector's most celebrated whites, one can also find relief from the summer heat in a glass of 'Ronco dei Sassi' Sauvignon Blanc Collio DOC 2022.

Besides being an ideal companion in other contexts, e.g. for rich and tasty grilled fish and shellfish, it also appreciates white meat dishes, such as couscous with chicken and pineapple strips, chicken salads, sandwiches, meatballs and so on.

All these flavours are properly supported by its soft notes of peach and exotic fruit, refreshed by distinctive hints of elderflower and tomato leaf, as well as a taste that relies entirely on minerality to lighten the palate.

Rosé and bubbles: a carefree picnic

Those who feel that red wines are too heavy to uncork at a picnic, or that many whites are not lively enough to liven up an outdoor eating adventure, can count on two other categories that are perfect for summer: rosés and picnic bubbles. Taste, lightness and elegance: what more could you want?

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC

A brilliant pink colour, enhanced by violet hues, aromas of flowers, cherry and morello cherry, a fresh and slightly acidulous taste: these are the organoleptic traits that make 'Rosè' Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC 2023 one of the best rosé wines for picnics. With its elegant yet jovial style, it is capable of transforming even the simplest of lunches en plein air into an unforgettable tasting experience, accompanying both fish and meat recipes with great versatility.

In addition to the classic cold salads typical of the season, he does not disdain red meats, such as mini pies stuffed with beef or pork, sausage rolls, savoury bacon muffins or omelette and ham rolls. Lightheartedness is an important requirement, but without ever sacrificing taste!

Alta Langa DOCG Rosè

A picnic can be organised for a different or solo outing with friends, or offer the perfect occasion for a romantic encounter. In the latter case, the choice of wine is very important, as you need a product that is both fresh and elegant, lively and harmonious, of a certain level, but not too cryptic. A glass of 'Contessa Rosa' Alta Langa DOCG Rosé 2017 is enough to satisfy all these requirements.

Tasting this excellent Piedmontese Metodo Classico reveals refined notes of orange blossom, with fruity notes of plum, chinotto and pomegranate, as well as spicy hints that make the organoleptic bouquet even richer. Between hints of ginger, basil, lavender and nutmeg, the sip comes to refresh everything, with noteworthy mineral and savoury notes, and a fine, pleasant perlage.

Excellent throughout a meal, during a picnic you can combine it with classic aperitif finger food, meat skewers, meatballs, cute savoury muffins or mini salmon tarts.

For those who don't want to give up a touch of sophistication even during a picnic, the combination of Alta Langa Rosè and mini savoury pastries is interesting.

Valdobbiadene DOCG

Closing this review of wines for a summer picnic is a product that goes perfectly with aperitifs and fish recipes, but which also knows its stuff at the end of a meal, like a glass of Valdobbiadene DOCG Superiore di Cartizze Dry.

Excellent especially with soft almond cakes or fruit tarts, it blends hints of white-fleshed fruit and flowers in the glass, including wisteria and linden. But it is above all the ripe apple and pear notes perceptible on tasting that make this Prosecco one of the best sparkling wines for dessert picnics.

Whether meat, fish or vegetarian, turn your picnic into an unforgettable adventure with Svinando's best wines!