Shake out the rugs - picnic season is upon us (or at least tantalisingly close). Here are three additions to your picnic spread to elevate your game.
Herby freshness in a jar
Waiheke Herbs’ herb spreads provide a burst of freshness for almost anything you’re making at home. There’s little more to them than olive oil and a whole heap of herbs and other natural flavours – rosemary, dandelion, oregano, thyme, sage, lavender, nasturtium – so dollop teaspoons on your pizza, salads or in sandwiches.
$12, waihekeherbs.co.nz
![Waiheke Herbs' herb spreads. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/5542PQFU6JAJNGXRGRGBMXMYDI.jpg?auth=0fe40ceab111a59c8bbb9dc9967c40ce0102613f51bcfec236df7a35b8b786c8&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
Vin in a tin
Released just this week, Uncommon’s premium New Zealand sparkling wines are made for summer’s picnics. In a handy single-serve can, in two Marlborough varietals (a pinot noir rose and a sauvignon blanc), Uncommon Wines are convenient, easy to carry, and also more sustainably packaged than traditional glass wine bottles. They’re also Kiwi to the core – local wine, local winemakers, and with gorgeous artwork depicting Jean Batten and explorer Charles Heaphy on the cans.
$29.99 for a 4-pack, wearetheuncommon.co.nz
![Uncommon Wine's tinned sparkling NZ wines. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FFWZK6B2INHVZB7AHFAGBEDH5A.jpg?auth=1fdfbfd3ddd4926d82b28c622cbeff4aa2ef68e660a842ff4e4785fa8400ef6f&width=16&height=25&quality=70&smart=true)
Fruit paste for the cheese
Bring the orchard to your picnic blanket – Rutherford & Meyer’s range of fruit pastes will add a little posh to your al fresco cheeseboard. The latest flavour is pinot and plum; made to be paired with hard cheeses, it’s good on cheddar but great on pecorino or parmesan, if you like a strong salty cheese hit.
$6.50, rutherfordandmeyer.co.nz
![Rutherford & Meyer's pinot and plum paste. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/5YOWYFVXWRG47FWKPN4WSA75JA.jpg?auth=dc0049ef0def8bd3008dd2500f966c005636aad01af40aed07aa63c52a8cca6d&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)