Weddings are undoubtedly a big deal. As a bride and groom, you want everything to be perfect, from the dress you’re going to wear to the basics like food. Though every aspect of your wedding matters, one of the things that we often overlook is getting the right wedding wine for our guests. There is a good possibility that you might have attended weddings where wine seemed to be an afterthought, was often brought in bulk, and was paid little to no attention. However, wine is as important as food to turn your wedding day into an unforgettable one by adding a touch of sophistication and personal flair. However, most brides and grooms struggle to find the right one for their big day. Hence, in this blog, we have brought you four key factors to keep in mind while choosing the perfect wedding wine.
Table of Content:
1. Consider, the time of the year your wedding is in
One of the crucial factors that you cannot overlook in choosing wedding wine is the time of year your wedding is set in. The wines you choose should bring out the best in the meal, and the season of drinking a particular wine affects the taste and mood.
Traditionally, people believe that fall or winter nuptials mean red wine such as Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon, while summer or spring weddings are synonymous with white wine such as Sancerre or Pinot Gris. However, times have changed, and most people drink what they want, irrespective of the season.
2. Pair wines with your menu.
Pairing wines with your wedding menu can elevate the dining experience and speak volumes about the bride and groom’s taste and personality. Instead of specifying one wine for one specific protein on your dish, choose classic wedding wines that go best with a variety of dishes. Go with versatile wines, and one of the best choices for that is wines that do not have heavy use of wood or wines that have intense tannins or a heavier body.
The key is to choose wines that are food-friendly, meaning they are easier to pair; fruit-forward, meaning they showcase the natural flavors of the grape variety; do not have too heavy or intense flavors on the palate; and are lower in tannins, meaning less drying.
For champagne drinkers, you can think outside of the box. One of the most common mistakes people make is pairing champagne with dessert. This is done on the impulse that it gathers the group together after dinner and dancing to make it a celebration of the wedding cake, but champagnes are dry, not sweet, and will not stand up to the sugary flavors of most wedding cakes. Instead, pair champagne with appetizers such as sushi, cured meats, or even fried foods, and serve a wine that’s a touch sweeter, like riesling, with dessert.
If you’re uncertain about wine pairing for your wedding menu, consider a wine subscription from a reputable service like Stocked Cellar. They offer diverse plans with various price points, styles (reds, whites, mixed), and delivery frequencies, ensuring you find wines that complement your celebration perfectly.
3. Incorporate your wedding theme.
Connecting your wedding theme to your wedding wine is a great idea to make your guests indulge in the wedding and make your wedding memorable. The wine selection is one of the cultural details that play a major role in the wedding celebration and experience.
Some of the top picks for wedding themes include:
- Vintage: Champagne or anything sparkling. Vintage is considered classic and timeless.
- Nautical: Champagne is a coastally grown varietal, and the best sauvignon blancs come from overseas, in regions of France and New Zealand.
- Rustic: The country grape has oaky flavors that call to mind nature and the outdoors.
- Romantic: Romantic wine is anything red and sexy. Merlot is soft, supple, and full of tannins.
You can make your wine work with wedding decorations as well. You can incorporate wine barrels into the decor. You can put bladder bags in wooden barrels. This way, people can set it up so people can self-serve their wine out of the barrel system.
4. Consider your budget and guest preferences.
Undoubtedly, budget is a significant factor in wine selection. Remember, you don’t need to spend a fortune on wine. It’s a four- or six-hour event, and spending a lot of money on three-figure bottles of wine when people become so drunk and certainly tipsy to the point that they wouldn’t appreciate it. There are a lot of wonderful wines that don’t cost you a fortune.
Typically, weddings involve serving wine during cocktail hour, dinner, and sometimes even throughout the reception. Don’t sway away from the idea that expensive wine equals better quality. Choose classic wines that you enjoy and are loved by many. Opt for versatile choices that cater to a range of tastes, from dry to sweet and best white wine to red.
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect wedding wine involves thoughtful consideration of seasonality, menu pairing, theme integration, and budget. These factors ensure a memorable dining experience that reflects the couple’s taste and enhances the celebration. By choosing versatile, enjoyable wines, couples can elevate their wedding festivities with sophistication and personal flair, creating lasting memories for themselves and their guests.
