How to choose wine for a wedding – review of the 10 best brands, tips

Preparations for the celebration have reached the final stage - the dress is waiting in the wings, the menu has been agreed upon with the restaurant, and you are putting the finishing touches on it. It's time to buy wine for your wedding, but don't know which one to get? For those who distinguish wines only by color and do not understand varieties and regions, we present a detailed guide from sommelier Maria Osokina. Maria is in love with her business and talks about it so interestingly that the advice reads like an adventure novel - it’s impossible to put it down. Let's start with a reminder on choosing the type of wine for wedding dishes, save it:

Plan ahead

Almost no wedding is complete without three alcoholic drinks. This is, naturally, champagne, wine, vodka or cognac. If the first option is most used at the beginning of the celebration, the registry office and walks with photo sessions, then wine and other drinks are present throughout the wedding. And here it is important not to turn a blind eye to what wine is best to buy for the celebration. To avoid getting into trouble, let's figure this out.

First, try to decide in advance on the exact number of guests. This will help conditionally divide them into two halves by gender, since wine, liqueurs and other lighter drinks are preferred by women, and cognac, vodka, whiskey and brandy are preferred by men. Young people will enjoy a variety of cocktails based on rum, tequila, absinthe or gin. However, more and more newlyweds adhere to the generally accepted convention of buying at the following rate: 1 bottle per person, strong drinks - 0.5 liters per person.

Wine is a drink that you can drink in small sips, savor and enjoy a long aftertaste all evening. Therefore, his choice should be given great importance.

Secondly, it is better to buy 1.5-2 times more, thereby creating a reserve in case the evening drags on or the toastmaster has more toast than expected. In any case, you can always take the remaining alcohol for yourself or use it, for example, on the second day of the wedding.

Advice! Don't spend more than you need. The best investment would be a honeymoon trip!

Thirdly , you need to decide where to buy wine for your wedding. There may be two options here: either order from the assortment in the restaurant, or buy alcohol in bulk. Of course, it is best to choose a reliable supplier of alcoholic beverages, where the choice will be wider and the price will be much cheaper.

Important! Do not forget that by choosing the services of a restaurant, you will pay not only for rent and service, but also for the products purchased from them or brought with you. And in this case, you will have to overpay double for one bottle.

"Duty" sparkling

The basis of the basics is a universal sparkling wine, which will be served “on the table” non-stop.

Minimalism

From left to right: Balaklava Brut Reserve;
Canti Prosecco; Grande Cuvée 1531 de Aimery Crémant de Limoux; Lanson Black Label Brut Economy.
Balaklava Brut Reserve Black Sea brut prepared using the charm method and aged for 9 months in steel on lees.

Standard. Canti Prosecco

Prosecco with a worldwide reputation and brilliant “build quality”. Clear, transparent and clean.

Business. Grande Cuvée 1531 de Aimery Crémant de Limoux

A high-quality cremant from Languedoc, claiming the laurels of the progenitor of champagne.

Luxury Lanson Black Label Brut

Restrained, strict brut with bright acidity. The combination with any gastronomy is “god level”. Appetizers, main courses, desserts - anything goes with it.

Balance

From left to right: Casa Defra Prosecco Spumante Brut;
Ruggeri Prosecco Giall'oro; Ca'del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut; Louis Roederer Brut Premier Economy.
Casa Defra Prosecco Spumante Brut Acratophoric sparkling wine with a worldwide reputation. An ideal aperitif for all occasions.

Standard. Ruggeri Prosecco Giall'oro

Valdobbiadene with a beautiful label, clearly coordinated aromatics and a ton of gold medals at international competitions. It asks for business class, but does not qualify for the price category.

Business. Ca'del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut

Franciacorta doesn't come cheap, and this one is no exception. It costs like champagne, but it also plays by the same rules. 25 months on the lees, clean, thick perlage and complex aromatics.

Luxury Louis Roederer Brut Premier

You can't think of a more exemplary Brut champagne. In 2022, Brut Premier was ranked number one in The World's Most Admired Champagne Brands by Drinks International.

Improvisation

From left to right: Cava Castell Llord;
Brut Dargent Blanc de Blancs; Bott Geyl Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut; Geoffroy Empreinte Brut Premier Cru Economy.
Cava Castell Llord A striking example of how simple cava steps on the heels of serious sparkling: fermentation “according to the classics” and 9 months on the lees, for the price of prosecco.

Standard. Brut Dargent Blanc de Blancs

Try to find another bottle of white sparkling 100% Chardonnay with secondary fermentation in the bottle for the price of an average Prosecco!

Business. Bott Geyl Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut

Alsatian sparkling wine prepared using the classic method. A blend of pinot blanc, pinot noir and chardonnay. A very dry and very gastronomic sparkling wine for connoisseurs.

Luxury Geoffroy Empreinte Brut Premier Cru

A complex champagne from the small house Geoffroy. Subtle, delicate and mineral. Fermentation in oak barrels. Malolactic therapy is not performed.

Brief instructions for waiters

The following points should be discussed with service personnel in advance:

1.There is no need to refill wine for guests every five minutes unless they ask for it.

2.Do not open the entire supply of wine until the one already opened is finished. Yes, according to some rules, red must be opened in advance so that it can “breathe”. However, this does not need to be done in a few hours! It is enough for it to stay in the open air for an hour.

3.Pay attention to where the wine is stored! Quite often this is confused. Remember to serve whites chilled and reds at room temperature.

What dishes to serve wine with at a wedding?

As a welcome drink, sparkling wine is served with light snacks that will not kill your appetite until the main banquet:

• grilled seafood - such as shrimp or squid rings on skewers, marinated in herbs and lemon juice;
• numerous canapes, as an option - a slice of black bread with cream cheese, lightly salted salmon and cucumber;
• skewers with Greek salad - cherry tomatoes, feta, bell pepper and olive;
• light portioned vegetable salads.

(© mariage18.fr)

Light white goes well with a buffet of appetizers:

• cold cuts;
• young hard cheeses;
• fish slices;
• baked vegetables;
• pickled eggplants.

Thicker white wine:

• for hot appetizers – mushroom or chicken julienne;
• risotto;
• pasta;
• for main fish dishes;
• to white meat poultry or veal.

Medium-bodied red wine is a drink for:

• main meat course (grilled beef, roast beef, baked pork);
• mature cheeses;
• and also for cold cuts.

Sparkling wine for dessert is more of a tradition than a correct gastronomic decision. Firstly, because by the end of the holiday, alcohol is consumed in smaller quantities, and secondly, because the pronounced brut that prevails today does not go well with a sweet cake. It would be more correct to offer coffee or tea, but if you decide to follow traditions, then pay attention to:

• semi-dry champagne – you will need much less of it than sparkling champagne for a welcome drink, so this choice will have less impact on the budget;
• semi-dry cremant;
• dry Prosecco – light, floral, uncomplicated, but pleasant – just what you need at the end of the holiday.

Dishes=Wine

Surely everyone knows that the type of wine must be selected according to the nature of the dishes.

For menus containing fish dishes or poultry , white wines of the following grape varieties are suitable: 1. Sauvignon Blanc; 2. Chardonnay.

As for wine brands, the following brands would be an excellent choice: • Anoranza, Bellingham, Montemar, Ventisquero, Ribbonwood, Morande, Lis Neris, Montes, Gran Verano, Grand Baron Ribeyac, Cimislia, Driada, Berberana; • Mancura, Kosher collection, Phanagoria, Slavic Vine, Russian Azov, Ventisquero, Torre Di Luna, Planeta, Gai Kodzor, Morande, Alamos.

In a menu where meat dishes predominate , the following grape varieties are suitable: 1. Cabernet Sauvignon; 2. Syrah; 3. Merlot; 4. Pino Noir.

These are wines of the following brands: • Mancura, Kosher collection, Phanagoria, Russian Azov, Golden Amphora, Ventisquero, Torre Di Luna, Montes, Minini, Lis Neris, Kaiken, Gran Verano, Big Fat Llama, Alamos; • Gai-Kodzor, Ventisquero, Planeta, Montes, Alamos; • Alamos, Big Fat Llama, Cimislia, Driada, El Paso, Gran Verano, Sauk-Dere, Ventisquero, Slavic Vine; • Crimean, Montes.

Rich Uncle (Valued Guest)

From left to right: Amarone Riserva Sergio Zenato; Noval 20 Year Old Tawny

This is a very important person: at the moment when they offer to ransom the bride, it is he who will take the thickest “cutlet” of money out of his pocket, and maybe even slip the keys to the Bavarian sedan parked in the backyard into the groom’s pocket. A rich uncle needs to be treated to a proven luxury: super Tuscany with a name, good vodka or champagne, the name of which he will try to pronounce the next morning.

Amarone Riserva Sergio Zenato

Perhaps one of the win-win options in the case of a rich newcomer to the wine world is good Amarone. “Big”, full-bodied, aged for 4 months in Slavonian botti, it is released only in the best years.

Noval 20 Year Old Tawny

High quality, warming port from a legendary house. Tones of almonds, chocolate and dried fruits will play along with the respected guest if (what if?) he decides to light a cigar. Aging - 20 years in oak barrels with a volume of 640 liters.

Spring-Summer-Autumn-Winter=Wine

An important point is the time of year the wedding is held. Does the choice of wine depend on this? Certainly!

White wines are best suited for a summer celebration: • Chardonnay; • Merlot; • Cabernet; • Sauvignon; • Syrah; • Zinfandel; • Sauvignon Blanc; • Pinot Gris/Grigio; • Riesling.

Red ones are for winter weddings. At this time, the wines of the following grape varieties will warm up perfectly and will be more saturated: • Pinot Noir; • Petit Verdot; • Dolcetto; • Graciano.

Important! To satisfy all guests, it is best to choose wines that are neutral in sugar and alcohol content. For example, semi-dry or semi-sweet.

Not suitable for a wedding table

But some wines should be avoided on the wedding table:

• any fortified wine (port, sherry, Madeira, Rivesaltes, fortified mskats) - neither you nor your guests need excess alcohol;
• powerful and tart reds (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Napa Valley, Amarone della Valpolicella, municipal appellations of Medoc) - such drinks can overwhelm the taste of gourmet snacks and seem heavy (besides, they are often quite strong - 14-15% ABV);

(© lidl-vins.fr)

• very sweet (Sauternes, Bonzo, Italian Vinsanto and Passito, Tokaj) - perhaps it would be original to offer such wines for dessert instead of semi-dry sparkling wine, but you should not start the banquet with them, because taste buds quickly get tired of large amounts of sugar and culinary delights simply will not be appreciated;
• very expensive collectibles - they are unlikely to receive due attention at the wedding, and due to their high price, you can very quickly go beyond your budget.

An example of a miscalculation from life

The experience of restaurateurs shows that all weddings drink differently. We took examples from life that show how much a wedding for 40 and 70 people can actually drink.

A wedding for 40 people can drink on average:

• Vodka - 10 - 20 bottles.
• Red wine - 17-18 bottles.
• White wine – 10 – 12 bottles.
• Champagne - 15 bottles.
• Juice 30-50 l.
• Mineral water - 20 l.

A wedding for 60-70 people will drink:

• Vodka - 10-20 bottles.
• Cognac – 10 bottles.
• Whiskey – 6 bottles.
• Red wine – 15 bottles.
• White wine – 10 bottles.
• Vermouth - 5 - 8 liters (depending on the format).
• Champagne - 20 bottles.
• Juice - 40 - 80 liters.
• Mineral water – 20 – 40 l. Depending on the season.

Wine price category

Few people can boast that they can blindly distinguish an economy-class wine from a good, mature, noble drink. Don't expect this from most of your guests either. However, it is better not to buy wine for a wedding that costs less than 200 rubles per bottle. In the price category of 200-350 rubles you can find quite decent wine that will brighten up your festive evening with a hearty snack. And here are some examples.

Familiar and already familiar to the ears of the Russian consumer, inexpensive options for a more “age-oriented” feast are popular. Among them is O, known in the vastness of our homeland as “Milk of the Beloved Woman” (we applaud the imagination of the translators!), as well as the El Paso line of wines, which have long been on the market. Cheap and cheerful!

You should not refuse Kuban wines; they often turn out to be better than the same French and Italian ones in this price range.

The Chavron brand is quite popular, but in its case the price is rather overpriced. And the advertised “JPChenet” impresses more with the unusual shape of the bottle rather than with the content. Moreover, the cost of different types of this wine ranges from acceptable to quite high for a wedding, and the risk of stumbling upon a drink whose quality does not correspond to the price is quite high.

Good wines can be found among Chilean ones. A distinctive feature of New World wines (South America, North America, Australia) is still the fact that a low price does not necessarily indicate the mediocrity of the drink.

Italian wine Poggio Ai Santi is produced by Tinazzi, but the Poggio that can be found on the shelves of Russian supermarkets at an affordable price is an option only for the CIS market (Sangiovese Puglia, Merlot Puglia, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo). Not a bad wine for the mass consumer, but if you want to try the right, Italian Poggio Ai Santi, then choose Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Its cost, however, is much higher, and you can find it in specialized wine boutiques.

Bottom line

A wedding is one of the most important holidays in a person’s life and it is very important to organize it correctly. Good wine will highlight the taste of the dishes served at the table, while poor quality wine will ruin everything. You should choose varieties not lower than the average price.

When calculating the required number of bottles, it is necessary to take into account the preferences of the invited guests, the time of year and the menu of the upcoming holiday. We have given practical advice on choosing types of wines to pair with different dishes. We wish you the wedding of your dreams!

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Alternatively, this moment of your wedding can be held without the participation of the host, independently explaining to the assembled guests what you have planned.

“We want to send a package to the future. In that near and necessarily happy future, when our family will be ten (we will be thirty when the child graduates from school, etc.). When we are still full of strength and love for each other, we will open this magic box. Let's light the candles. Let's open a bottle of wine. And we will read the letters that we wrote to each other on the eve of our wedding. And, undoubtedly, the taste of this wine will be wonderful, as well as our feelings for each other!”

How to make a calculation?

Wine calculation can be done using several methods. The first is when the preferences of the invitees are well known, their behavior can be easily predicted and the required number of bottles can be purchased.

But most often, newlyweds, when organizing a banquet, cannot accurately predict how all the guests will behave. Therefore, with the second method, average calculations occur. So, there should be at least 1 bottle per person.

Once you have decided on the number of guests and bottles, it is important to understand in what proportions the drinks should be present. 1/3 should be semi-sweet, 1/3 sweet and 1/3 dry. In addition, you should not forget that red wines should prevail over white ones, unless there are other preferences among the guests.

It is recommended to increase the resulting result by 10-20% to create a reserve.

The WineStreet store is a great solution for a wedding!

In our wine catalog you will find the best options at great prices! Buy in bulk and the savings won't keep you waiting! Fill your cart with great wines!

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Source

Cognac and whiskey

Cognac is less popular, so you shouldn’t replace it with 100% clear 40-proof drinks, although there will certainly be its connoisseurs among your guests. If finances allow, after calculations you can replace 30% of vodka with expensive cognac: this will emphasize the high status of the celebration.

Whiskey is even less in demand; you can purchase several bottles only for those guests in whose tastes the newlyweds are confident. In addition to it, you will have to take cola and apple juice. Recently, tequila has gained popularity - both in pure form and in cocktails, as well as rum and brandy.

Read also: How to dilute alcohol to 40

Red

Red wines not only have an intense color, but also a rich aroma with a variety of notes.

We will look at what dishes are usually served with the main types of drink:

1. Light, tart, sweet and sour, served with grilled meat, dishes with garlic sauce and various appetizers.
2. Tart flavors are a great complement to turkey and fried chicken dishes.
3. Full-bodied with a sweet and sour taste, it is served with stewed meat and game.
4. Full-bodied with fruity notes, it goes perfectly with kebabs, grilled meats, cold meats and pates.

In the middle price range there is a large selection of domestic and imported wines. A very good choice is the products of Crimean winemakers.

Calculate the required number of bottles

In our opinion, the optimal number of bottles should be calculated using the following formula: divide the number of invited guests by 2.15. After all, during a festive feast, it is mainly women who prefer to drink wine. Next, we determine the ratio of different types of drink.

It is customary to pour champagne at the beginning of the feast to all guests to make the first toast in honor of the heroes of the occasion. Many guests limit themselves to only half a glass of sparkling drink.

With this serving, 1 bottle of champagne is enough for 10 guests. At weddings held in the summer, white wines are in great demand. Experts advise purchasing approximately the same amount of white, rose and red wine.

When a wedding is held in autumn, winter or spring, guests prefer to drink red wine. Its amount should be approximately half of all alcohol purchased for the wedding. To please the tastes of all invited guests, stock up on dry, semi-dry and semi-sweet red and white wines.

When to open a time capsule

There are many options for the opening time of the capsule. For example, you can agree that the capsule will be opened on the day of the newlyweds’ first quarrel in order to refresh their memory of their feelings and they can make peace faster. In this case, the capsule is called a chest of discord.

Also, the wine ceremony capsule can be opened after the birth of the first child.

But this is not always convenient, since the bride at this moment will be a nursing mother and, most likely, will not be able to drink wine. But on the other hand, if the birth of a baby is still celebrated, and relatives and friends are invited, it is very logical to combine this holiday with the opening of the capsule.

The next option is to open the time capsule on a specific wedding anniversary. Usually these are one year, five years, ten, fifteen years, twenty or twenty-five year anniversaries. We already wrote above that you can make a capsule from several cells and open one cell at a time for different events or anniversaries. For example, in a year, in five years and in ten years. In this case, each cell contains two letters from the bride and groom to each other.

Who conducts the wine ceremony

A wedding wine ceremony is usually conducted by the wedding officiant, off-site wedding registry host, one of the newlyweds’ relatives, friends, or a person specially invited for this purpose. The main conditions for the leader of the ceremony are the availability of the necessary props, a special speech, and for a paid service - experience in conducting similar ceremonies. And then the choice is yours who to invite to this role. Sometimes loving and faithful friends or relatives of the newlyweds conduct a ceremony so beautiful and touching as no professional can.

The first option is merging

This option best suits the characteristics of unifying ceremonies. It will require:

• Wines of two varieties
• Glasses
• Decanter

The process itself is simple - gradually, under the solemn speech of the host, the newlyweds fill the decanter with wine. After this, the resulting wine is filled into a glass, from which the groom drinks the bride, and the bride drinks the groom. Parents and guests are also invited to try the resulting drink. The new young wine should symbolize the merging of two families and the creation of a new young family.

There are certain risks associated with this ceremony, and the main one is the likelihood of ending up with a completely indigestible drink. Agree, it won’t be very cool if someone around you spits out the resulting wine. Or your facial expression will make it clear that the taste of the drink is closer to vinegar than to wine.

Therefore, it is better to try several wines in advance to see if they are compatible with each other. Of course, a mixture of white and red wine will look visually more beautiful, but the taste remains questionable.