It’s a law universally agreed upon that from the moment we begin to enjoy our first double-figure temperatures in this country, an ice-cold bottle of rosé should immediately be uncorked.
If not a deliciously cool bottle of pale pink elixir, then some extra-dry white wine, prosecco or champagne may certainly serve as a substitute.
When the sun begins to shine on the UK, its inhabitants flock to parks and open spaces with an instinctual drive not too dissimilar from the migratory habits of birds. Workdays suddenly become stunted by an office-wide desire to savour some vitamin C while sipping on a cooling alcoholic beverage. It’s a distinctly British behaviour that cannot be explained.
The key to truly making the most of British summertime and the many, varied green spaces on offer within the capital and beyond is by upping one’s picnic game. That means investing in quality picnic blankets, baskets, Tupperware, chic plastic glasses and cutlery, endlessly moreish and delicious nibbles and – of course – a portable wine cooler for cold tipples on the move.
Classic insulated coolers usually work with the help of reusable ice packs. When placed inside, they’ll work to keep already chilled drinks cool or instantly cool down room-temperature beverages. Other coolers can be popped in the freezer before being wrapped around the bottle in question to keep it ice cold.
What to consider before purchasing a wine cooler
- Insulation level: you’ll want to look for a wine cooler that is either double-walled and vacuum-insulated (usually a hard-case cooler) or one that’s equipped with isothermal lining (usually soft and flexible).
- Waterproofing: internal and external waterproofing in wine coolers is essential for preventing snacks and beverages from becoming waterlogged. Internal waterproofing makes it much easier to wipe clean the cooler after use.
- Freezable/ removable components: check whether the cooler in question comes with reusable icepacks or freezable components for extra chill time. Removable sections also help to make space for larger loads.
- Carry handle: on long walks from the car to the picnic spot in question, you’ll be thankful for a sturdy and potentially over-the-shoulder handle.
We’ve curated a selection of the best wine bottle coolers for cold beverages all day and night long.
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Canvas Drinks Cooler Bag
Our top pick for a myriad of reasons, Sunnylife’s stylish and portable bottle cooler bag is made from 100 per cent cotton and crafted to keep drinks cool for up to four hours. Big enough for two wine or champagne bottles, the beach bag is lined with a food-safe, insulated material and comes with a handy freezable gel divider for extra cooling power. Plus, it’s incredibly wallet-friendly.
Buy now £28.00, Sunnylife
Le Creuset Wine Cooler Sleeve, Volcanic
A tried and true, highly portable favourite which is perfect for cult Le Creuset fans, this wine cooler sleeve by the famed French kitchenware brand is designed to chill white, rose or prosecco during warm summer evenings. Le Creuset suggests storing the sleeve in the freezer prior to use for best results.
When used this way, it can be popped on a bottle of wine which will then be perfectly chilled within 20 minutes. It’s also great for keeping already chilled bottles cool on the dinner table – no ice cubes needed.
Buy now £25.00, John Lewis
Yeti Rambler Wine Chiller
Famed for world-class cooling capabilities, Yeti are well-known for their stylish extra-large and party-ready drinks coolers – resulting in this chic and powerful wine chiller flying slightly under the radar. Offered in an array of saturated colours, the double-walled insulation keeps drinks cold for hours while the silicone internal landing pad keeps your wine safe and secure. Pair with a matching wine tumbler for long beach days.
Buy now £70.00, Yeti
Huski Wine Cooler
Designed to fit most 750ml wine bottles and even some champagne bottles thanks to its unique adjustable height, the Huski wine cooler keeps tipples cold for up to an impressive six hours. It’s crafted with premium stainless steel, equipped with internal copper plating for improved thermal efficiency, and has double-walled vacuum insulation.
Buy now £54.99, Amazon
Soft Cooler Lunch Bag Large
Made with Rains’ signature PU fabric, the soft cooler bag is also lined with isothermic aluminium for added insulation – keeping hot drinks hot, or cold drinks cold. The internal pocket has a 1-litre capacity and can fit a six-pack of beer, or up to two wine bottles laid horizontally. It also features an additional exterior bottle pocket and zipper pocket.
Buy now £29.00, Rains
Fieldbar Drinks Box Cooler
Instantly elevate your summertime picnics with the help of Fieldbar’s unbeatably luxurious drinks box cooler. Whether you’d like to fill it with ice for a steady supply of cool cubes during your soiree, or you’d like to pop two bottles of bubbly inside to stay cold until you arrive at your destination, this fabulous piece of kit can do it all. It has a 10-litre capacity, which actually equates to two wine bottles and two beer cans, a colourful scratch-proof finish and even interchangeable leather handles.
Buy now £180.00, Harrods
Quechua Soft Camping Ice Chest – 10L
Extra-large and wallet-friendly, the Quechua soft camping ice chest is an essential piece of kit for the outdoorsy type. The isothermal design keeps food cool for up to four hours without the need for ice packs, while the compact foldable design saves space while the bag isn’t in use. If you do decide to use ice packs, it’ll keep food and drink cold for up to six hours.
Buy now £11.99, Decathlon
Greenfield Collection Insulated Duo Wine Bottle Cooler Bag
Though this option doesn’t score particularly highly in the style department, it’s a utilitarian piece of kit which is perfect for picnic dates. It can fit two standard bottles of wine, prosecco and champagne, while the internal padded divided is fully removable if you’d like to use it to keep snacks cool instead. We love the fact that the lid has dedicated elastic storage for a bottle opener and stopper.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
