What to bring on a summer picnic

Our number one favorite thing to do in the Bay Area is picnic. Any time of year, if its sunny, we are picnicking.

Here is how we do it:

Start off with white wine such as a Riesling, Gerwerstraminer, or a Rose (I am not talking white zinfandel, people). Australia makes good rose wine.

If you have questions about wines and you don’t have a lot of money, please go into your local wine shop and tell them how much you want to spend and they will pick something out. For those of you in Jersey, go to Bottle King on Route 23 and ask for Jeff. He is great. For my friends in Cali…anyone want to head up to Sonoma this weekend?

Next, you want purchase cheese. You want to mix it up between hard cheese and soft cheese:

Soft:
Brie, Humboldt Fog, Cowgirl creamery has a great triple cream brie called Mount Tam, Smokey Blue

Hard:
Tuscanelo, sharp provolone, (avoid yellow cheddar cheese), Pecorino Romano, Rosemary Parmesan, Manchego


Spreads
Fig spread
Olive tapenade

Fruit
Grapes
Dried apricots
Green apples

Extras
Baguettes
Prosciutto and/or salame (you want to avoid any kind of Hormel prepackaged items as a loved one presented at a family function recently…step away from these kind of things, please.)
Roasted red peppers
Sundried tomatoes
Assorted fresh olives
Almonds

Stuff you probably already know:
Knives
Picnic blanket
Cheese boards
Napkins, plates, etc.
Plastic wine glasses (DO NOT bring red solo cups for wine. We have plastic wine glasses, you can grab them anywhere)