Planning the Perfect Romantic Picnic with J. Lohr Wines

Are you looking for the perfect way to spend a lovely afternoon with your special someone and show them just how much you care? Why not plan a romantic picnic with the help of some delicious J. Lohr wine? J. Lohr is well known for its award-winning wines, so you can be sure that with their help you're putting together the most memorable picnic with an amazing selection of wines to sip. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to successfully pack the perfect romantic picnic date with the help of J. Lohr and their delicious Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon. I'll help you with everything for this lovely picnic, from choosing the right food and wine pairings to creating a beautiful aesthetic atmosphere. With these tips, you're sure to have a romantic, unforgettable picnic with your loved one and forget about all your worries!

To start, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of seating. Pack a large blanket or beach towels for enough space for the two of you to comfortably sit on. Plates, cutlery, and napkins are also essentials for any successful picnic. Don’t forget to bring a cooler filled with ice to keep all of your food and drinks cold. Most importantly, don't forget the delicious J Lohr wine. Be sure to pick up a bottle of your favorite vintage to share with your special someone. Along with the wine, obviously, bring a picnic basket with plenty of snacks and light refreshments for your picnic. A good pro tip is to make sure you bring a wireless Bluetooth speaker to play some romantic playlists to properly set the mood. You can also bring a few games to pass the time and keep the good times rollin’! Card games, board games, charades, or any other favorite game you two enjoy will help to pass the time as you slowly finish your delicious wine. Sunscreen and bug spray are must-haves for any outdoor picnic as well. Also, don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the moment. Lastly, don’t forget a romantic gesture like a bouquet of flowers, a unique special gift personable to the two of you, or goodies such as chocolates.

With a little bit of planning, you can make your Summer picnic even more special with delicious J. Lohr wines. Let's further break down some ideas to pack up and plan the perfect romantic picnic this Summer.

Something to Carry Your Picnic Goodies

Start with the ideal way to carry your supplies. A classic picnic basket is a great way to pack all the goodies for a romantic picnic for two. For a longer hike or outdoor adventure, a roomy backpack is the perfect solution for room and comfort. Insulated totes are also great for keeping food and drinks at the perfect temperature for hours. If you plan on bringing J. Lohr wines on your romantic picnic, a specialized wine carrier will make sure your bottles stay safe and secure. Don’t forget a cooler. It’s an absolute must for any romantic picnic, especially if you plan on packing perishable items or beverages that need to stay cold.

Something Comfortable to Sit on

When planning a romantic picnic, the setting is key. For the perfect picnic experience, find a scenic spot most likely in the shade to lay down the blanket. To make your setting even more cozy, add an extra layer of comfort by bringing a blanket to snuggle up in if the temperature drops or the cold wind kicks up. For a special decorative touch, get creative and bring a blanket that matches the colors of the picnic items or the surrounding nature. To take comfort of seating to the next level, consider adding folding chairs for a more comfortable and elevated seating arrangement. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to add a unique element to your romantic picnic, maybe opt for an inflatable seat. This luxurious experience will surely make your romantic picnic unforgettable.

Food & Wine Pairings

When packing the perfect romantic picnic with J. Lohr, you’ll want to make sure you have all of your bases covered. Start off with a few bottles of J. Lohr wines. Whether you prefer red, white, or a sweet dessert wine, J. Lohr has something great for everyone. For the perfect pairing, grab some delicious cheeses and crackers to enjoy with your wine.

J. Lohr offers a wide variety of wines to choose from, and for this picnic, I chose the Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon. The pairing of this wine with my garlic aioli steak sandwiches creates a delicious and memorable meal. I have the full recipe for these steak sandwiches -here- for you to create when picnicking.

When selecting cheese to pair with this Cabernet Sauvignon, aged Gouda, aged sharp cheddar, and Gorgonzola are some of the best options. Each cheese variety has a high-fat content, which helps to cut through the tannins in the wine and bring out its tasting notes. The cheese can enhance the different flavors that you’ll find in the wine, which leads to a better overall tasting experience. Sharp, Aged, Cheddar gives a higher fat content that will help in taking some of the bite out of the high tannin levels while the aged aspect will help bring out some of the fruity/berry notes in the wine. Gouda is also a great cheese option for pairing with cabernet sauvignon. Its high-fat content will help cut through the tannins just like the cheddar cheese does, and it will cut down on the dryness of the wine. Looking for a creamier cheese? Gorgonzola is a great option, blue cheese can be tricky with cabernets, but this milder form is ideal because the flavors skew creamier and nuttier rather than sharp.

In addition to the cheeses, a few other charcuterie style/ finger foods pairings are; rosemary crackers, dried cherries, fresh strawberries, walnuts and chocolate. These tasty treats all provide a balanced flavor and texture for the perfect pairing with the J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon.

Finally, it is important to remember to bring the right practical essentials for your romantic picnic. Complete your packing with safe, shatterproof glasses, plates, and a wine bottle opener or corkscrew to make it an easy and enjoyable and romantic experience.

More About J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon

When you’re planning a romantic picnic, choosing the right wine is an important part of setting the scene for a special day. J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon is a benchmark Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon that displays elegant layers of blackberry, currant, and toasted pastry. This complex and refined red wine is made up of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Enjoy juicy layers of black and red currants leading to a bright finish, accented by pastry notes from extended barrel aging.

If you’re new to wine, J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon is a great option since it’s a more middle-of-the-road varietal. It’s not light, but it’s not overly robust, making it enjoyable with many dishes. Rich, savory, and subtle nutty or earthy flavors are the perfect accompaniment to a romantic picnic. Pack a bottle of J. Lohr wine and you’ll have the perfect date night at home or on any picnic. With the structure to age gracefully for 10-15 years when properly cellared, this wine is sure to set the mood for any romantic outing. If you are staying in and enjoying this wine I recommend pairing it with beef, lamb and again a hard cheese. A delicious well-balanced dinner would be a rosemary-seasoned ribeye and garlic-roasted potatoes with parsnips and fennel.

Decorate Your Picnic with Pretty Flowers

When it comes to packing the perfect romantic picnic, adding beautiful flowers to your picnic basket will make all the difference. Some great classic decorative choices are roses, gardenias, lilies, orchids, tulips, and daisies. These flowers will help add a romantic atmosphere to your picnic, making it all the more special and memorable. Whether you choose the classic roses, the fragrant gardenias, or the delicate daisies, you can’t go wrong with these romantic blooms. I absolutely love the way flowers make me feel and love decorating with fresh flowers for any occasion.

Not only do these varieties of flowers look beautiful, but they also smell amazing. The fragrance of these romantic flowers will fill the air with love, and create an unforgettable atmosphere for your picnic.

With these fun and simple tips, you're sure to have the perfect romantic picnic with J. Lohr. wine and your loved one. Enjoy, and Cheers!

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