
After spending my Sunday lazing by a river in the sun, with a bottle of fabulously cheap but refreshing and delicious Simply Pink Moscatel (£4.99, Tesco), I got thinking about what makes a perfect picnic tipple. At just 5.5% alcohol the Moscatel is perfect for responsible drinking in the sun, it's got bubbles and plenty of juicy summer fruit - I just might have found a winner.

Wines need to be soft and approachable, light rather than heavy, and nothing too complex or challenging. Rosé covers all food matching bases but please, whatever you do, serve it chilled - nobody, I repeat nobody, likes warm rosé! If it gets too warm, throw it in the river or a rock pool for half an hour to cool down then crack open and enjoy with cold salmon, ham and salads.Try the Simply Garnacha Rosé from Tesco. At just £4.59 per bottle, it won't let you down.

A bottle of fizz is a classic option - no corkscrew required, and it makes the simplest of occasions feel like a celebration. When the sun is out for an entire weekend in the UK it's definitely worth a party picnic and a glass of fizz! One of my absolute favourites is the Prosecco di Treviso, just £9.50 from The Wine Society which is a perfect partner for cheese straws (yes, seriously) and pâté.

If wine or cocktails aren't your thing, then stay classic with a chilled beer - cool box necessary, warm beer is not fun! Top of my beer list is the Cooper's Pale Ale from South Australia (biased, yes!) - an SA icon. The great news is, it's available at Majestic AND it's on sale for just £15.00 for 12 stubbies (Aussie slang for 375ml bottles). Sounds pricey, but I guarantee it's worth it. The classic Aussie 'twist top' also means no bottle opener required and no broken teeth getting the cap off! Great for pork pies, cheese and chutney.
So grab an esky (more Aussie slang - cool box), a few mates (or a hot date) and one of these perfect picnic tipples for an afternoon of lazing and grazing in the sun.
Oh my, jam-jar cocktails are so pretty. I just need to find some pretty straws...
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