The summer months remind us of how effortless it feels to have a good time. Alongside other leisure activities like sitting poolside with friends or brunching with family, luxury picnicking may take the cake for summertime pleasure.
Event planner Jenifer Johnson of Sweet Bean Events provided us with her summer picnic essentials for hosting a simple and elegant outdoor picnic, while sommelier Jillian Fontana bestowed her wine wisdom upon us, contributing her summer wine picks and educating us on what wine pairs well with what summer appetizer.
“If you are picnicking on the ground, be it at the beach, park, or lawn, you want to start with a great blanket,” Jenifer says. “Playful patterns and colors help tie in the whole look and give you a great base to work from.”
Jenifer also emphasizes the importance of not neglecting comfort on this note, stating “The material should feel soft and luxurious, encouraging you and your guests to relax and enjoy.” You could also add pillows to sit on for extra cushioning and bring a small bouquet of fresh flowers to add an extra pop of happy.
As for the food, you can never go wrong with a well-curated charcuterie board. “Setting up a small grazing board for casual picking is an effortless and visual way to add color and vibrancy to your picnic,” Jenifer says. “You can find stunning, custom creations from local artists and sawmills for a one-of-a-kind piece that you’ll use for many summers to come.”
If you’re planning to enjoy some wine at your picnic, be certain to remember the essentials which will allow you to sip with ease and enjoy:
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A portable wine chiller
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Corkscrew
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A set of elegant, acrylic wine glasses
“Classing up a picnic with a stemmed glass goes a long way," Jillian tells us. "But if you‘ll be on a blanket, go with a stemless goblet. You’ll look, and feel like you’re in a Seurat painting.”
“When selecting wine for a picnic, think lighter whites and rosés, or a non-heavy red,” Jillian adds. “A fuller bodied rosé like Domaine Houchart will stand up to a variety of foods you might find on a board, whether fresh fruit, nuts or an aged cheese.”
If Jillian had to bring one wine to a picnic, it would be the wine she just mentioned above, “a juicy rosé like Domaine Houchart, for it suits a wide variety of fare,” noting also that Muscadet is another excellent choice. “A perfect summer white, Muscadet is great with shellfish, a Mediterranean wrap, or just on its own,” she states.
An eye-catching picnic basket is an adorable and classic addition to the final look of your picnic and will elevate the experience all the more. Jenifer adds to be sure you’re considering function in addition to aesthetics when selecting a basket. “Pay attention to size, durability, and temperature control when making your choice,” she states. “After your food is set, you can use the basket as additional decor to your final look by filling it with runners, flowers, and wine."
When it comes to summer apps or dishes, even if you’re “picnicking” on an outdoor table, Jenifer recommends avoiding anything too heavy, messy, or cream-based. “Warm weather makes us crave light and refreshing bites,” she says. “Prepare dishes that are portable, handheld, or bite-sized. Tapas style picnics are great — beautiful and satisfying bites allow everyone to feel full and happy.”
A grazing board, mentioned earlier, is a great addition to your meal and the perfect entertaining piece — or it can also be the star of the show if you’re going for a more casual picnic style. From seasonal fruit and nuts to a combination of soft and hard cheeses to sliced baguettes, cured meats, fig spread and local honey, the options are endless and can be found anywhere from local shops in town to Trader Joes and Whole Foods.
“On a cool summer night, a cheese and charcuterie board practically begs for a flexible red like Chateau l’Orangerie Bordeaux,” Jillian says. “Underrated merlot with its lush dark fruit and soft edges is the star here. Deftly lifting up without overpowering, it's a wine for many a meal.”
An entertaining tip Jenifer swears by that makes for a fantastic picnic is that “it’s all in the details.” From pretty napkins and candles to fresh flowers and music, these things create the ambiance for a stunning and relaxing night together. “Preparing little baskets to throw smaller trash in so your guests are not constantly having to get up is an example of a detail that can help create a great experience,” Jennifer adds. “And for evening picnics, be sure to bring some rolled up blankets to give out if it gets chilly.”
As for where to picnic? Ridgefield and its surrounding towns are lush with green space and parks, but sometimes it's your own backyard that makes for the best backdrop.