There are few things better than a great bottle of wine paired with your favorite view.

Whether you're hiking to a summit, camping under the stars, or relaxing at a beach bonfire, wine has a way of making those moments even more memorable. But taking fragile glass bottles and stemware into the wild can be a hassle.

That’s why we teamed up—High Camp Flasks, makers of fortified barware for the outdoors, and Meg Rulli of Barrel Dork, your trusted guide for zero-snobbery wine education. We’re here to solve the "how" and the "what" of enjoying wine anywhere.

This guide will help you leave the breakables behind and elevate your next adventure, offering perfect pairings and smart tips for sipping in style.

Quick Tips for Perfect Outdoor Wine Pairings

Meg from Barrel Dork shares her essential dos and don'ts for matching wine with your adventure-ready snacks.

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DO’S:

• Match Intensity: Pair lighter dishes, like tinned fish or salads, with lighter wines, like sauvignon blanc. Pair bolder dishes, like burgers, with fuller-bodied wines, like cabernet sauvignon. Balance is key!
• Consider Acidity: Pair high-acid wines like pinot frigio or sangiovese with dishes that have acidity (like tomato-based sauces or citrus) to create harmony.
• Complement or Contrast: Either complement flavors (buttery chardonnay with lobster rolls) or create a contrast (sparkling wine with fried foods and potato chips for a crisp counterbalance).
• Think Regionally: Match wines with food from the same region—Chianti with Italian pasta dishes or a Rioja with Spanish tapas—for a natural synergy.
• Balance Sweetness: For spicy dishes, go with slightly off-dry wines like riesling to balance heat with sweetness.

DON’TS:

• Don't Overwhelm the Wine: Avoid pairing delicate wines with overly spicy or heavily seasoned dishes that can overpower subtle flavors.
• Don’t Forget Tannins: Tannic wines (like nebbiolo or malbec) can clash with bitter salad greens or spicy foods. Pair them with protein-rich, fatty dishes like red meat to create a velvety—and wonderful—experience on your palate.
• Don’t Overlook Sweet Dishes: For desserts, ensure the wine is sweeter than the dish. A dry wine with a sweet dessert can taste harsh and bitter. I often opt for fortified wines (Port, sweet styles of sherry, and Madeira) for the dessert course.
• Don’t Mix Mismatched Acidity: Avoid pairing low-acid wines with high-acid foods. For example, a creamy, low-acid wine with a tangy vinaigrette will fall flat on your palate.
• Don’t Ignore Personal Preferences: While guidelines are helpful, your palate matters most. If you love a pairing, go for it!

The Gear: How to Pack Wine for Any Adventure

The biggest challenge with outdoor wine is portability. Glass bottles are heavy and breakable, temperature control is a pain, and plastic cups just don’t do a good vintage justice. We designed the Parkside Flask™ 750 to solve this. It’s an all-in-one, 3-piece wine set that lets you bring a wine-country experience anywhere.

Here’s why it’s the perfect tool for the job:

• Full Bottle Capacity: The flask holds a full 750mL bottle of wine, so you don’t have to leave a single drop behind.
  
• Perfect Temperature, Guaranteed: The vacuum-insulated flask keeps your wine chilled for up to 24 hours, meaning no cooler or ice is necessary.
  
• Pure Flavor: The interior is made from sommelier-grade electropolished stainless steel, which won't impact the wine's flavor or aroma, unlike cheap metal or plastic.
  
• A Proper Sipping Experience: It includes two magnetically integrated, stemless wine tumblers that provide a sipping experience akin to your favorite at-home stemware.

Now, let's find the perfect wine to fill it with.

10 Perfect Pairings: The Best Wine for Any Outdoor Activity

Curated by Meg Rulli, Barrel Dork

For a Beach Bonfire: Zinfandel

• Why it works: Zin's bold fruit and spice match the heat and energy of the fire.
• Tasting notes: Jammy blackberry, baking spice, and a touch of smokiness.
• Snack pairing: BBQ chips or grilled sausage skewers.
• Regions to shop: California (Sonoma, Paso Robles), Puglia (Italy, as Primitivo).

For a Sunset Hike: Pinot Noir

• Why it works: The elegance of Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with the peace of a sunset view.
• Tasting notes: Light-bodied with red cherry, raspberry, forest floor, and soft spice.
• Snack pairing: Prosciutto-wrapped figs or a simple aged cheddar.
• Regions to shop: Willamette Valley (Ore.), Burgundy (France), Central Otago (New Zealand).

For Golf Cart Cruising: Vermentino

• Why it works: Light, zesty, and effortlessly sippable—Vermentino is made for sunshine, fresh air, and good company on the green.
• Tasting notes: Lemon zest, green apple, almond, and a touch of salinity.
• Snack pairing: Salty kettle chips or herbed popcorn—perfectly portable and golf cart-approved.
• Regions to shop: Sardinia (Italy), Provence (France), Central Coast (Calif.).

For a Post-Paddle Reward: Albariño

• Why it works: Crisp, citrusy, and refreshingly light—perfect after a paddle.
• Tasting notes: Lime zest, peach, saline minerality.
• Snack pairing: Shrimp cocktail, salt and vinegar chips, or almonds.
• Regions to shop: Rías Baixas (Spain), Portugal, coastal California.

For a Perfect Picnic: Chardonnay

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• Why it works: A sunny picnic calls for something layered, versatile, and comforting. [cite: 67]
• Tasting notes: Baked apple, hazelnut, lemon curd (in oaked styles).
• Snack pairing: Cheesy snacks, roast chicken sandwich, or potato chips.
• Regions to shop: Burgundy (France), Sonoma Coast (Calif.), Margaret River (Australia).

For Desert Stargazing: Grenache

• Why it works: Silky and warm, Grenache echoes the quiet intensity of starry nights.
• Tasting notes: Strawberry, white pepper, dried herbs.
• Snack pairing: Manchego cheese, mixed cold cuts, and spiced almonds.
• Regions to shop: Southern Rhône (France), Priorat (Spain), Paso Robles (Calif.).

For a Lakeside Fishing Break: Gamay

• Why it works: Light, juicy, and chillable—Gamay is the ultimate lakeside companion, easy to sip while waiting for a catch.
• Tasting notes: Red berries, subtle earth, a hint of pepper.
• Snack pairing: Charcuterie boards, falafel, and smoked salmon.
• Regions to shop: Beaujolais (France), Oregon, Niagara (Canada).

For a Day Lounging by the Lake: Sauvignon Blanc

• Why it works: Zesty and vibrant, it’s like bottled sunshine.
• Tasting notes: Gooseberry, lime, fresh-cut grass.
• Snack pairing: Goat cheese and cucumber sandwiches.
• Regions to shop: Marlborough (New Zealand), Loire Valley (France), Napa Valley (Calif.).

For a Snowy Adventure: Rosé

• Why it works: It’s bright and crowd-pleasing, bringing a touch of sunshine to your snowy trek. It has enough depth for colder weather, yet is refreshing enough for an active day.
• Tasting notes: Watermelon, strawberry, citrus peel.
• Snack pairing: Trail mix or jerky.
• Regions to shop: Provence (France), California, Navarra (Spain).

For Campfire Story Night: Cabernet Sauvignon

• Why it works: Rich and structured, Cab is made for cozying up fireside.
• Tasting notes: Blackcurrant, tobacco, cedar.
• Snack pairing: Dark chocolate, S'mores (or try these with a Merlot!), or a sharp blue cheese.
• Regions to shop: Napa Valley (Calif.), Coonawarra (Australia), Bordeaux (France).

Sip Well, Wander Often

Wine is better when shared, especially under the open sky. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect pour to elevate your favorite moments. The best bottle of wine is the one you can share with confidence, knowing it’s perfectly chilled and ready for any destination.

Ready to upgrade your adventures? Explore the Parkside Flask™ and ditch the breakables for good.

Questions about wine? Sign up for the Barrel Dork newsletter or email meg@barreldork.com to chat! And don't forget to share your outdoor wine pairings with us on social @barreldork & @HighCampFlasks.