PA Wine popsicles, slushies and other summer-time treats for National Wine Day Wednesday

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May 24, 2016, 08:00 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Wednesday is National Wine Day, a day to toast amazing local vintages and vintners. But good wine can and should be enjoyed year-round – and this summer, it doesn't even have to be in a glass! The winemakers at Pennsylvania's wineries have put together cool recipes for warm-weather, from frozen favorites like wine-infused popsicles to perfect picnic dishes like Chardonnay chicken salad.

"Drinking wine, and enjoying local wineries, is a social experience, and there is so much more to that than just sipping from a glass," said Jennifer Eckinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Winery Association. "So we gathered summer-time recipes from across the state – and discovered some pretty unique and interesting ways to integrate local flavors into your grilling, picnics and backyard BBQs ... and even ideas to cool down after a long, hot day with delicious treats like wine slushies and fruit popsicles."

Here is a quick wine-infused menu that makes for an easy (and delicious) picnic:

Chardonnay Chicken Salad Sandwich
Made with Chardonnay, Crossing Vineyards & Winery
Farm-to-Table Green Bean Salad with Grüner Veltliner Dressing
Made with Grüner Veltliner, Galen Glen Winery
Pennsylvania Pinot Noir Cheese Spread
Made with 2013 Pinot Noir, Fero Vineyards & Winery
Riesling and Rhubarb Jam
Made with 2014 Riesling, Antler Ridge Winery
Wine-Glazed Fruit Salad
Made with Lacrima Dolce, Penns Woods Winery
Pennsylvania Wine Popsicles
Made with Peach Wine, Greendance-The Winery at Sand Hill and Black Raspberry, Nissley Vineyards

These recipes and more are available at PAWineLand.com, along with picnic packing tips, wine pairings and other useful summer entertaining ideas.

And feel free to experiment with the different wines in the recipes, Eckinger added – "there are more than enough to choose from in PA!"

Another tip: check with your fellow foodies to see if anyone has any dietary restrictions. You can add in grilled veggies or a caprese sandwich (with PA Preferred mozzarella, PA tomatoes, local basil, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper) for any non-meat eaters.

SOURCE The Pennsylvania Winery Association