Picnic Pairings: 3 South African Wines to Savour Outdoors
Fresh flavours, sunny days, and three South African bottles made for al fresco dining.
There’s something so enjoyable about sipping wine outdoors once the warm weather hits. Whether you’re gathered around a patio table, a picnic blanket, or at the lake, the best wines have a common trait: they’re fresh, approachable and easily pair with seasonal bites. Across its’ diverse regions, South Africa produces an abundance of bottles that easily fit this description, combining fruit-forward wines that maintain both refreshing acidity and exceptional value.
South Africa has earned a reputation for producing some of the world’s most exciting expressions of Chenin and Cinsault. These grapes thrive in the various soils and regions to create bright and regionally expressive, pour-worthy wines that are sure to add a level of energy to your outdoor dining experience.
For this picnic-inspired pairing guide, I’ve selected 3 South African wines that shine in natural settings: a crisp Chenin, a refreshing Cinsault rosé and a bright, chillable Cinsault. Paired with charcuterie, a shrimp fiesta bowl, and a strawberry salad, these wines demonstrate just how versatile South African varieties can be when good food and warm weather come together.
Lubanzi Cinsault Rose 2025
This is both a Fair Trade certified and Climate Neutral certified wine that will make you feel good about your selection long after the last pour. It’s crafted with Cinsault grapes coming from old vines in Swartland, South Africa and fermented with wild yeasts. The winemaking here is a sure shot way to harness an appetizing minerality that wraps itself around blackberry, pink grapefruit and rhubarb notes while driving a persistent finish. There’s also impressive lift that allows this wine to be incredibly food friendly.
LCBO Vintages #: 49070, $18.95
Pair it with…
Summer Strawberry Salad
Iceberg lettuce
Spinach
Freshly sliced strawberries
Chopped cucumber
Crumbled feta cheese
Black pepper
Drizzle with strawberry or citrus vinaigrette
Read also: 6 Must Try South African Wines for Summer
Far From The Crowd Chenin Blanc 2025
This is a bright and juicy Chenin from the Western Cape region of South Africa. It offers a perfumed nose of lemon peel and grapefruit followed by a zesty palate full of mouthwatering citrus flavours that blossom on a dry, lip-smacking finish. Great value and an easy partner for fresh, summer fare. LCBO#: 48730, $12.60
Pair it with…
Fiesta Shrimp Bowl
Jasmine rice
Butter-fried jumbo shrimp
Fried corn
Fried cherry tomatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
Chili powder and paprika to taste
Garnish with sliced green onion tops
Juice of lemon or lime wedge
Testalonga Baby Bandito Chin Up Cinsault
An organically farmed, old vine wine that consists of 90% Cinsault and 10% Tannat from the Swartland region of South Africa. This wine is unoaked and sees time in concrete and stainless steel, resulting in a light body and an extremely fresh profile. Notes of red cherry and strawberry play with an energetic acidity making this an overall charismatically cool wine. Serve slightly chilled. The Living Vine: $33.95/bottle
Pair it with…
Charcuterie
Genoa
Prosciutto
Beef jerky
Brie
Gouda
Candied nuts