Wedding Wine
Over the years I have helped many people pick out their wedding wine. My views on the right wines to pick have evolved over time. It wasn’t until my own wedding that I came to my current wedding wine philosophy. I used to try to please or try to help please too many people. Somebodies aunt likes Pinot Grigio, uncle likes Chardonnay, and nephew gets headaches with white wine. Rather than try to hit everyone’s styles and go with “broad audience” wines I have found that it is best to simply get the best wine for the best price that will pair best with the food provided.
“Would you like white or red?”
If it is good they will drink it! I know this sounds low brow for Mr. Fancy Pants sommelier, but I what I am trying to say is that Aunt Margaret probably isn’t going to turn down the wine she is being served for free and if it’s really good, whatever it is, you will have more compliments than trying to nail everyone’s individual tastes. It feels risky for winos especially, but good is good at the end of the day. Sometimes too many choices can be a bad thing and I think a wedding is one of those times. Inevitably people will gravitate towards the better selection, whatever that selection is anyway. The main thing to keep in mind is to pick wines of balance. Don’t serve anything too jammy or sweet. The white should have a refreshing quality and the red should have a velvety tannin structure and be somewhere in the middle in terms of body.
The Champagne
Most people drink still wines. I am not sure why, but I am not trying to change your mind. Champagne is already expensive so I am not trying to convert any more people to the category. That being said, no matter what the budget is I encounter people who try to skimp on the quality of the bubbles. I actually think this is one of the biggest mistakes made. You see, people are going to remember that horrible or mediocre fizzy thing you poured them for that toast maybe even more than the other wines. Everyone will be standing, someone ends a moving speech and then we all take a swig. I am not saying that you need to serve Dom Perignon, just please remember the context of the wine. It should be something you actually want another sip of. You really want to end that toast on a good note so pick a bubbly with a good finish.
How much do I need?
I generally go with two glasses per person, but every group is different. Even a group of wine drinkers will shift to cocktails if that is the best thing being offered. You do not want to run out, but trust me, running out at 1’oclock in the morning is a good thing.