Concert Picnic Primer

Is there anything better than listening to live music under the stars on a warm evening with good company, a fine glass of wine and a belly full of fantastic eats? We think not.

Enjoying a live performance at a lovely outdoor venue is an enduring summer tradition that’s best enjoyed when you’re permitted to pack your own food and wine.

This summer, have a little fun filling your picnic basket by putting together a spread that complements the concert you’re going to see. Start by selecting a bottle of Sonoma-Cutrer wine that’s perfect for your particular event.

Dusting off your cowboy boots for an evening of outlaw country or banjo-plucking bluegrass? These rootsy tunes are best enjoyed with good old comfort food and a creamy white that can handle all that flavor. Think: fried chicken, deviled eggs and potato salad topped off with a bottle of The Cutrer. This fuller-bodied Chardonnay maintains enough structure and acidity to make it a fantastic food wine.

Gearing up for a little rock and roll? Stock your picnic basket with Sonoma-Cutrer’s Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This bright, vibrant red features a slew of flavor notes that make it as complex and textured as really good rock and roll. As for the food, you can’t go wrong with a freshly roasted chicken and a big hunk of crusty bread accompanied by a selection of eclectic salads.

Perhaps your evening involves a special night out to see the philharmonic in the park. Make an impression with a bottle of Les Pierres. Distinctive and elegant, this Chardonnay is crisp and rich with a mineral essence that reflects the rocky soil where the grapes are grown. Pair the bottle with cold crab cakes over spring mix salad topped with a citrusy dressing that will bring out the grapefruit and lime notes in the Les Pierres.

No matter what type of music you’re planning to enjoy outdoors this summer, Sonoma-Cutrer has a wine to complement your concert. For picnic inspiration, find recipes and pairing suggestions here.