Some wine, some cheese, some fruit, some bread... and you've got an instant picnic spread!

Sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to packing a picnic basket. We should take a lesson from the French, who focus more on quality than quantity. As poet Omar Khayyam once wrote: "A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou."

While our suggestions for a simple summer picnic are more robust than that, they don't involve a lot of planning and preparation. They do, however, leave a lot open to your own imagination, creativity, and preference.

Here are a few ideas you can put together quicker than you can say "Peter Pepper packed a perfect picnic basket"!

Let's start with the wine. To quote songwriter Billy Joel, bring a "bottle of red, bottle of white." Remember, however, that white wine or rosé should be served chilled. And in the summer heat, most red wine lovers prefer a lighter-bodied variety. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, add a bottle of sparkling cider or seltzer mixed with a splash of cranberry and a squeeze of lime. Always be sure to bring water, especially if you're picnicking on a hot summer day.

Next comes the bread. Following in French tradition, a fresh baguette is a great choice. The traditional white baguette is a classic choice, but a whole grain baguette provides another level of flavor when pairing it with certain cheeses or meats. As with the wine, bring one of each if you would like!

Moving on to the proteins, your best bets for cheese are firmer varieties that will hold up in warmer temperatures. These include cheeses such as cheddar, Emmentaler, Gouda, Gruyere, manchego and pecorino. Take along a few flavors of pâté for a welcome gourmet touch. Alexian mousses or vegetable pâtes will spread nicely onto your baguette. Made with poultry, Alexian Truffle Mousse and Black Peppercorn Mousse are lighter bodied pâtés that pair nicely with a crisp glass of white wine. The Mixed Vegetable Pâté is also a nice choice for summer with its fresh, garden flavors.

Cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami and sausages, are a lower-maintenance choice for outdoor picnics. Pre-slice them and store in resealable bags or reusable containers until ready to eat. Pre-packaged crudités continue the finger food theme, and prepared hummus makes a hearty dip. An assortment of pickles, nuts and olives rounds out your spread.

For dessert, bring fresh and dried fruit. Grapes, melon, strawberries, figs and dates are a few suggestions. For a cool twist, freeze grapes or melon; they become refreshing, bite-sized ice pops. Be sure to keep them on ice in transport! To satisfy sweet tooths, biscotti or shortbread cookies are popular choices.

For a hassle-free clean-up, use disposable plates, cups and utensils. Bring a large sheet or tablecloth to drape on the ground or over a picnic table, along with coordinating paper napkins. A few fresh flowers are always a nice touch.

Want to keep away uninvited guests (that is, ants)? Sprinkle cinnamon, baby powder or cornstarch around the outside of your eating area.

Once you've enjoyed a simple-yet-elegant picnic like this, you may never settle for fried chicken and potato salad again.