By Claire McConnell
Sunday at the Park
Every summer, when I was a child, my parents would take me to a new city around the country. It was the summer between 4th and 5th grade that we discovered Chicago and all the interesting and unique things the Windy City had to offer. My mom, being the ever art history major that she is, always tacked on the local art museum; which in Chicago is the most impressive Art Institute of Chicago. I remember spending a fair amount of time during my childhood walking through the hallways of art museums, but no painting was so impactful for me than seeing ‘A Sunday in the Park’ by Georges Seurat at 11 years old.
Considered by many as one of the most remarkable paintings of the nineteenth century, Georges Seurat conveyed a sense of peacefulness and hilarity in his massive 10 x 7-foot masterpiece. I remember thinking, even to this day, that was the definition of a perfect afternoon picnic in the park.
Today, however, my picnic experience looks far more like Renoir’s ‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’, with tables full of wine, food and conversation.
Over the years, our ‘picnic blanket’ has grown and the people we invite to the party always seem to increase, but what remains the same is everyone’s excitement for Clif Family wines and artisan foods. We curated the most delicious picnic set to share with you, which pairs my favorite Clif Family products: the 2018 Gewürztraminer with our Organic Maple Curried Cashews and the 2017 Grenache with our Organic Strawberry Pepper Jam.
I find myself searching for easy finger food options when planning my picnic: springs rolls with peanut dipping sauce, cucumber and goat cheese tea sandwiches and woven wheat crackers with cream cheese and Strawberry Pepper Jam. I pack bowls of Clif Family nut mixes, olives, sliced fruits and several cured meats and cheeses to snack on. I prep everything ahead of time, so I can relax during my picnic and my guests can as well. I chill all my wines overnight and pack them in an insulated cooler to ensure the perfect temp in my Miir tumblers.
These pairings are perfect for a warm summer day, sitting amongst friends, sharing conversation and hopefully soon without facemasks.
Cheers!