Red wines for a picnic

What could be better than a good red wine to accompany a picnic in the great outdoors? Whether you're heading to the countryside, the seaside, or relaxing in a park with friends, the right wine can turn a simple meal into a perfect moment of sharing. At Avenue des Vins, we've selected the best red wines for a picnic—fruity, light, and easy to pair with a variety of foods.

Which red wine should you choose for a picnic?

A picnic red wine should be approachable, friendly, and easy to drink—even slightly chilled. Opt for smooth, fruity, low-tannin wines that don’t require decanting or elaborate dishes to shine.

Here are some great red wine profiles for your next picnic:

• AOC Beaujolais made from Gamay: fresh, fruity, easy-drinking—perfect with savory cakes, quiches, or snack biscuits.
• Pinot Noir from the Loire or Alsace: delicate and light, ideal with cold poultry or a homemade sandwich.
• A light AOC Côtes-du-Rhône or a soft IGP Languedoc red: sun-kissed, with hints of sweet spices—great with terrines, tapenade, or grilled vegetables.
• AOC Fronton or AOC Gaillac: fruity and spicy reds from Southwest France, perfect with a charcuterie-based picnic (ham, dry sausage, pâté).
• Organic or natural red wine: perfect for a more authentic tasting experience, close to nature!

Tip: Choose screw-cap bottles or bring a pocket corkscrew for a stress-free picnic!

Order your red wine directly from the producer for a perfect picnic

At Avenue des Vins, we showcase red wines meant to be enjoyed simply, crafted by passionate winemakers from generous terroirs. Explore our selection of picnic-friendly red wines and build your ideal basket. Order online now and enjoy direct-from-the-estate delivery, with the best value for money!

From Sandwiches to Terrines: A Red for the Savory Basket

Cold food gives wine less to work with than a hot dish. Served cold, meat or terrine releases fewer aromas, and its fat sets on the palate. A supple red with clean fruit and lively acidity refreshes your palate between bites without covering up those quieter flavors.

In a sandwich, look at the filling more than the bread. Chicken, turkey, raw or grilled vegetables stay mild: mustard, pickles or mayonnaise set the tone. With those condiments, pick a lively red with crunchy fruit: a more structured wine would feel heavy.

Terrines call for a little more body. A peppery, rich country terrine (pâté de campagne) goes with a Languedoc red based on Grenache and Syrah, with ripe fruit and smooth tannins. For a more delicate vegetable or chicken terrine, go back to a light red that lets the herbs and vegetables come through.

Ham Sandwich, Olive Loaf, Fall: More Red Wine Pairings

What red wine goes with a jambon-beurre?

With a jambon-beurre, the classic French ham and butter baguette, serve a light red with bright fruit, such as a Brouilly or a Pinot Noir from Alsace. The cooked ham is mild and the butter rich: the fruit and liveliness of Gamay or Pinot Noir lighten each bite without masking the ham.

What red wine goes with a savory olive loaf?

With a savory olive loaf (cake aux olives), serve a Southern French red with ripe fruit, such as a red from Provence or Corsica. The salty, slightly bitter olives echo the wine’s notes of wild herbs. If the loaf also has ham or bacon, a Beaujolais Gamay works just as well.

What red wine should you bring to a fall picnic?

For a fall picnic, bring a red with a little more body than in summer, such as a Cabernet Franc red from the Loire or a Merlot-based Bordeaux. Heartier seasonal baskets with cold meats, dry sausage or aged cheese suit their riper fruit and present but supple tannins.

Where can you buy red wines for a picnic direct from the winemaker?

You can buy red wines for a picnic direct from the winemaker on Avenue des Vins. Each wine’s page lists the vintage and the bottle size.

See also: Fruity red wines - Red wines for your barbecues - Organic red wines