[ A DOVETAIL GUIDE ]

Ultimate Winery Picnic

As summer gives way to the mellow days of early fall, there’s no better time for a relaxed wine tasting picnic. You don’t need a vineyard — just visit your local wine shop, grab a bottle or two, and set up your picnic in a nearby park or on a city rooftop. Grab your basket and let’s unpack how to create a memorable wine picnic.

Bread and Beginnings

Start with a freshly baked artisan sourdough baguette, its crusty exterior and soft, airy inside the perfect vehicle for an assortment of spreads and cheeses.

Cheeses and Charcuterie

Marinated Feta & Caper Berries: Elevate feta by marinating it in a blend of olive oil and herbes de Provence.

Sardines with Harissa Butter: Opt for premium, sustainably-caught sardines complemented by a spicy, homemade harissa butter, adding a kick that contrasts beautifully with the mild cheeses.

Select Cheese Assortment: Include a well-aged Comté with its deep nutty nuances, a velvety triple crème Brie, and a robust Blue Stilton with its distinctive blue veins and sharp, rich flavors.

Accompaniments

Pickled Garlic: Experience the tangy, sharp bite of pickled garlic, an excellent complement to cheese plates or as a bold garnish for salads and sandwiches.

Rose Petal Jam: Savor the subtle sweetness of homemade rose petal jam, perfect for spreading on fresh bread or pairing with rich, creamy cheeses to enhance their flavors.

Calabrian Chile Butter: Infuse your butter with finely ground Calabrian chiles and a zest of citrus, perfect for adding a bit of heat to your baguette slices.

Homemade Labneh: Whip up your own labneh, infusing it with lemon zest and a splash of high-quality olive oil for a refreshing, creamy spread that complements the richer cheeses.

Smoked Salmon with Caviar and Chive Cream: Elevate this classic with a spoonful of fine caviar and a dollop of chive-infused cream, blending luxurious flavors with the smoky undertones of the salmon.

Bread and wine, those timeless companions, sustain us far beyond the table. In its simplest form, bread is an everyday miracle—a staple that serves not just as sustenance but as a metaphor for life's necessities and joys. It symbolizes the fundamental ways we connect and care for one another, nourishing both body and soul. In this particular scenario, its role is to be not only a vessel - but designed to pair flawlessly with a selection of wines, enhancing each sip with its texture and flavor.

As a part of the Dovetails, you'll discover detailed guides to crafting your own sourdough loaf or baguette. This journey is more than just following a recipe; it's about embracing the rhythm of kneading, the patience of rising, and the delight of breaking warm, freshly-baked bread with those we love. Let’s bake something beautiful together.

Learn to bake sourdough with us.

Cheeses and Charcuterie

Marinated Feta & Caper Berries:

Elevate feta by marinating it in a blend of olive oil and herbes de Provence.

  • Wine Pairing: A Sauvignon Blanc, with its zesty and crisp acidity, works well to balance the saltiness of the feta and olives.

Sardines with Harissa Butter:

Opt for premium, sustainably-caught sardines complemented by a spicy, homemade harissa butter, adding a kick that contrasts beautifully with the mild cheeses.

  • Wine Pairing: Go for a light, mineral-rich white wine like Albariño. Its slight citrus tang complements the spiciness of the harissa.

Select Cheese Assortment:

Include a well-aged Comté with its deep nutty nuances, a velvety triple crème Brie, and a robust Blue Stilton with its distinctive blue veins and sharp, rich flavors.

  • Aged Comté Wine Pairing: Opt for a medium-bodied Chardonnay. Its rich fruit flavors and subtle oakiness beautifully complement the nutty notes of the Comté.

  • Triple Crème Brie Wine Pairing: A classic pair is Champagne or a crisp Prosecco, whose bubbles cut through the creaminess of the brie.

  • Blue Stilton Wine Pairing: Try a Port wine; its sweetness contrasts wonderfully with the robust flavor of the Stilton.

Pickled Garlic:

Simple Recipe: Quick-pickle garlic by peeling and thinly slicing cloves, then covering them with a mix of vinegar, sugar, and salt. Let them marinate for a few hours. Wine Pairing: Opt for a Riesling or Gewürztraminer, which offer a nice balance to the sharpness of the garlic with their sweetness and acidity.

Rose Petal Jam:

Wine Pairing: A sparkling Rosé complements the floral notes of rose petal jam beautifully, enhancing its luxurious and delicate flavors.

Calabrian Chile Butter:

Simple Recipe: Blend unsalted butter with finely chopped Calabrian chiles and a zest of orange or lemon for a spicy kick. Wine Pairing: Choose a bold Shiraz or Zinfandel that can stand up to the heat of the Calabrian chiles, with fruity notes to balance the citrus zest.

Homemade Labneh:

Simple Recipe: Strain plain yogurt overnight through a cheesecloth to achieve a thick, creamy labneh. Mix in lemon zest and a drizzle of olive oil before serving. Wine Pairing: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Chenin Blanc pairs well, cutting through the creaminess of the labneh while complementing its tangy flavor.

Smoked Salmon with Caviar and Chive Cream:

Simple Recipe: Layer smoked salmon on light crackers or blini, top with a teaspoon of caviar, and a dollop of cream mixed with finely chopped chives. Wine Pairing: Go for a classic pairing with Champagne or a good quality Prosecco, which will enhance the luxuriousness of the caviar and the richness of the salmon.