Mini Bottles Perfect for Picnics

Wine and picnics do go together.  But if you don’t want to carry heavy full bottles of wine but yet want that cache that comes with wine in a bottle, there are some small-size choices.  A 187 ml bottle will pour two small glasses.  Take two, and it’s your own private wine tasting experience.

Head to Reno for many choices in the 187 ml “mini” size bottles at Cost Plus World Market.  I bought three choices to try.   The Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from Chile’s Central Valley is elegant and fruity.  It comes in a screw-capped mini at $2.99. The 120 name is a way of honoring 120 patriots who helped lead Chile to independence.  13.5 per cent alcohol.

The Cavit Collection 2010 Pinot Grigio comes from italy’s delle Venezie region.  It is a crisp refreshing white wine, with nice fruit, and a light taste that makes it very versatile.  It’s best served chilled. 12 per cent alcohol.   $2.99 for the 187 ml screw-capped bottle.

What festivity is complete without a bubbly?  I chose the Segura Viudas Brut Reserva,  an estate bottled sparkling wine from Spain.  This Cava is crisp, clean and delicate with interesting floral notes, and aroma of white fruits, citrus and tropical fruits.   Grapes blended for this Cava are 50% Macabeo, 35% Parellada, and 15% Xarel-lo.  The 187 mini cost $3.99, and is 11.5 per cent alcohol. 

Closer to Lake Tahoe, Uncorked wine shop in Squaw Valley carries the Zonin Prosecco from Italy in the 187 ml size.  Zonin Prosecco is a varietal wine made from the Glera grape, which is native to the Veneto region.  It is a fresh, dry sparkling wine, with a fruity flavor profile that pairs well with almost everything. The classic almond note is typical of Prosecco.  $6.00 for the 187 ml.  11 per cent alcohol.

If you want to move up to the 375 ml bottle, often referred to as a “split”, there are many choices. Incline Spirits offers 4 red wines in this size, including the Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection 2007.  $7.99 the 375 ml size.    The Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay 2008 is $18.49 in the 375 ml size.

While you are at it, don’t forget the acrylic non-breakable wine glasses.  Cost Plus World markets has stemmed goblets at $2.69.  Uncorked Truckee has a two-pack of stemless 16 oz wine/cocktail tumblers, $7.00

Cost Plus World Market is at 4987 South Virginia Street, Reno, NV

Incline  Spirits is at 120 Country Club Drive, # 25, Incline Village, NV  89451

Uncorked - Squaw Valley is at 1750 Village East Road, Suite 62, Olympic Valley, CA

Uncorked- Truckee is at 10118 Donner Pass Road, Truckee CA