Creating A Late Summer Picnic

The autumn equinox — otherwise known as September 21 — is fast approaching, which means it's nearly time to bid goodbye to summer. Why not send the season off in style with an elegant picnic? A free outdoor event provides the perfect setting. And with a full picnic hamper and a chilled bottle of wine, you'll have all the makings of a great, late summer outing. Be sure to snap a photo of your picnic for our Chandon Facebook page (see below for details) or send it to us via email at MyPics@Chandon.com.

Location, location
From concerts to fireworks to theatre in the park, there are always free events if you know where to look. Simply do an Internet search for "free outdoor event" in your area, or check your local newspaper. College towns are good places to try. Don’t forget to make sure food and alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Setting the scene
Even in a public setting, there are ways to create an intimate environment for your guests. Start by defining your picnic space with brightly colored blankets arranged in a large square. Throw pillows make a stylish addition and can double as a seating option for those without portable chairs.

Open-air dining
Cheeses, crudités and dip, olives and fresh fruit are all easy to transport, and pair well with our Limited Edition Brut Classic. For a touch that’s classy and eco-friendly, skip the plastic cups and pack real stemware for the occasion. Wrapping your glasses in cloth towels will go a long way toward preventing breakage. Or better yet, invest in a set of shatterproof wine glasses from Schott Zwiesel.

For an elegant twist on picnic fare, try these summer sandwiches created by Perry Hoffman, Chef de Cuisine at our etoile Restaurant. Elegant yet easy to take along, these sandwiches pair well with our Chandon Sparkling Red and our Domaine Chandon Carneros Pinot Noir. Add a fresh fruit salad with sprigs of mint and a bag of your favorite gourmet chips and away you go...

Share your picnic pics on Facebook!
Post a digital photo of you and your friends enjoying Chandon in the most romantic, unusual or original place on our Chandon Facebook page . If you're not a fan yet, you can sign up here . You can also email your photos to mypics@chandon.com and we'll post our favorites on our Facebook page! Be sure to check back later in the month to see our Member picnic album!