NOTHING SO ELEGANT AS A CHAMPAGNE PICNIC

The Epic Cellars crew loves champagne!! So heady and romantic. YES, the bubbles

make champagne drinkers more intoxicated more quickly, and that’s why it’s such an

important part of celebrations. Now that warmer weather is here, it’s time to plan your

Champagne Picnic.

How Much Picnic Gear Is Really Necessary?

When I was a kid, I used to watch reruns of The Mod Squad (vintage hipster detective

drama—no, the old kind of hipsters) after school. I was much too young to understand what was going on, but the actors were so cool and attractive, and the episodes were so suspenseful. The scene I still remember was of the three heroes celebrating a victorious outcome, and as they toasted each other, they called out the punchline,

“Never drink champagne from a paper cup!” And they laughed, and I still don’t know

exactly what that meant, but I *believed* them.

No, you don’t need a high-end gourmet picnic kit, with all kinds of esoteric gadgets. But DO bring glass or ceramic, or, well--crystal vessels for the champagne. Wine glasses or otherwise. And something to sit on. Trust me on this.

Which Champagne? What Goes With It?

Champagne has the delightful ability to complement strong flavors and rich foods. So first, choose a champagne in your budget. Mumm, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, Perrier-Jouët, Cristal, Dom Perignon. Then, start with good bread, and choose dishes that don’t need heating, like cold roasted chicken or ham, fragrant cheeses, cornichons or other pickles. Marinated vegetables, stuffed grape leaves, quiche, hummus, olives, fruit.

For dessert, consider chocolate, cake, tarts and pies. Choose a remote, beautiful place for your picnic, and bring someone that you really like. The champagne will do the rest!

Cheers!