Wine: it’s romantic, it’s classy, and it’s the perfect beverage to celebrate a new union. If you’re not sure which wines to serve at your wedding, you’re not alone. It can be easy to just pick your favorites, you should also think about your guests, your food selection, and your atmosphere.

 

Does Seasonality Matter?

The common belief is that fall or winter weddings tend to favor red wines, while warmer weather generally calls for white wine. This isn’t, however, a strict rule. Even if the temperature isn’t ideal for your favorite wine, there are more important factors to think about that the time of year – especially the food.

Food Pairings

This may be the most important thing to keep in mind when pairing wine with your meal. Especially if you are supplying the wine for a large group of people, your choice should match well with your meal. Generally speaking, certain varieties pair with certain meats:

  • Chicken – Medium to light red wine, such as Pinot Noir
  • Fish/Seafood – Light, dry or zesty whites like Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc
  • Beef – Stronger reds like Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Pork – Bolder white wines like Chardonnay or White Port

For a more in-depth look at pairing foods and wine, check out this slide show from Foodandwine.com.

Temperature

The general rule of thumb is to serve most red wines at room temperature, but at a large event (like a wedding) all wines should be served slightly chilled. As Nicholas Jackson says in an article for Theknot.com, “While wine that’s too cold can warm up, warm wine is a loss from the beginning.” He goes on to say that reds should be served around 55 degrees, while whites should be in the high 40’s.

Supply and Demand

You have opinions about your favorite wines, so do your guests. You aren’t likely to pick one that everyone likes, so give your guests options and choose a selection based on your food. Another god rule is to supply one red and one white option. Find a balance between the two wines by picking a classy rosé.

Knowing how much to get is another tough decision. Some suppliers recommend one bottle per person, others say half to three-quarters of a bottle. You’ll know your guests better than anyone – are they winos, light drinkers, or perhaps they prefer beer or another beverage. Bridebox.com has a nifty calculation to determine a more exact number of bottles, but remember to take your knowledge of your guests into account to calculate how much you should have on hand. It’s also a good idea to determine how much you’ll need before picking a brand– that way, you’ll have a better idea of the end price.

Earle Brown Heritage Center Has a number of fabulous wine options to choose from. Whether you’d like to drink wine all night or have a single toast during dinner, we’ll help you find the perfect selection for your big day.

Contact us for more information.