It’s that time of year again for outdoor concerts, picnics and pool parties. We all have our favorite recipes to make for warm weather outings and my picnic baskets are always laden with delicious treats. Water, soda and juice boxes are easy to pack since they all come in small and convenient sizes. But, how do you pack your wine? There are many ways to transport wine and keep it at the right temperature during outside events when a refrigerator isn’t an option. But carrying a large chest full of ice is never any fun, not to mention a strain on one’s back. Several companies make thermoses that can easily hold the contents of a chilled 750mil wine bottle and will keep it at that temperature for many, many hours! There is no need for corkscrews, just pack the wine glasses. The great thing about this type of thermos is that it also keeps liquids hot for over 12 hours. Great for hot chocolate when ice skating in the wintertime! I’m also a big fan of insulated wine totes. There are a variety of sizes and styles to choose from, including some with special compartments and features. The one that is pictured below has room for two wine bottles, comes with a corkscrew, a side pocket and an adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying. And yes, the wine stays cool. It is also a great way to transport wine to a friend’s home. When driving, I secure the wine tote with a seatbelt! My advice is to go online and explore the options! Another alternative is wine in a can! They are easy to transport and are available in sparkling, red, white, and rosé. These single-serving wines usually come with pop-up tops, so no can opener is needed. I recently received a four-pack sample of Stella Pinot Grigio. This was the first time that I tried wine from a can. And yes, I was rather dubious! Stella Pinot Grigio Terre Siciliane IGT 2016 is made in Sicily. The estate was founded in 1986 and the winemaker is Danilo Chini. The grapes are harvested from mature and younger vineyards planted between 1982 and 1995. The climate is Mediterranean and the soil is clay. The wine goes through a short fermentation (10 days) in all stainless steel. It is 100% Pinot Grigio and the color is golden yellow. The nose offers light fruit with hints of pear and citrus. This is a crisp, light-bodied wine with pear, citrus, stone fruit and a hint of floral on the palate. The finish is zesty and surprisingly refreshing! Alcohol: 11.5% SRP: $13 for a four-pack. Each can holds 250mil. Since this is the only wine in a can that I have tried so far, I will have to venture out and pick up a few more varieties to try before passing my final verdict on “wine in a can”. However, I can in good faith, recommend the above wine. The four-pack actually gives you more wine than a 750mil bottle of wine! |
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