Camping, Glamping, Picnic in your Backyard…. Whatever, don’t be caught without the Wine!

While you’re packing up your gear, don’t forget the wine—these cookout pairings

are as good as the great outdoors.

You can’t beat a warming, rustic pot of chili after a day of camping. Whether it’s a family recipe or Chunky Beef and Syrah Chili, it’ll be best with a similarly big, juicy red wine. A few favorites:
VENGE VINEYARDS “Scout’s Honor” Proprietary Red 2012 (Napa Valley, CA) $38
MURPHY-GOODE “Liar’s Dice” Zinfandel 2011 (Sonoma County, CA) $21
HARDYS NOTTAGE HILL Shiraz 2012 (South Eastern Australia) $12

Regular ol’ hot dogs might go with either rosé or pinot noir, but the charring of Campfire Hot Dogs tips the scales toward pinot. Try:

ERATH Pinot Noir “Estate Selection” 2011 (Willamette Valley, OR) $34
STEELHEAD VINEYARDS Pinot Noir 2012 (Sonoma County, CA) $15
MUMBO JUMBO Pinot Noir 2012 (California) $21

Will you be serving some fresh-caught Trout? Try it with chardonnay or chardonnay-based blend, but a richer one with some oaky hints, to complement the smoky flavors in the skillet.

BLINDFOLD Chardonnay Blend 2012 (California) $31
FEL Chardonnay 2012 (Anderson Valley, CA) $28
NEWMAN’S OWN Chardonnay 2013 (California) $9And of course, you’ll be finishing your meal with that campfire classic, S’mores . A dessert this special deserves a similarly special dessert wine:

ST. AMANT Tawny Port “Lot #7” n.v. (Amador County, CA) $35 (500 ml)
LES CLOS DE PAULILLES Banyuls Rimage 2011 (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) $20 (500 ml)
CEJA VINEYARDS Late Harvest White Wine “Dulce Beso” 2008 (Carneros, Napa Valley, CA) $20