Asked By:
Leon
in
Beer, Wine & Spirits
-
210 days ago
Madeline's Answer
It's impossible to give one-size-fits-all advice for weddings. Much depends on how many people you're inviting, the size of your budget, whether you're having a reception with just drinks and hors d'oeuvres or a sit-down dinner, whether caterers or hotels insist that you order only from their wine lists and so many other factors.
Overall, there are many excellent wines available from all over the world at reasonable prices these days, so there's no reason to spend a fortune on wine or to settle for a second-rate inexpensive wine. How much to plan for each guest? Too much. It's better to have wine left over than not have enough. If you figure a half-bottle per person, which is about three glasses, you should be fine. Not that people will drink that much wine, but you can't be sure which wine they'll drink, so you need to have plenty of all three.
See if you can find a merchant who will accept returns of unopened bottles. Even if you can't, you can certainly find a use for the leftovers - as gifts to some special people as they leave the wedding, as wines for your honeymoon, to stock your first cellar together.
For the white, you might consider a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, everyone will love that. For the red, it's hard to beat Beaujolais for the price, and it is one of the most exuberant, party-worthy wines on the planet. The bubbly is very important, and this is no time to scrimp. If there is a sparkler that’s special to the couple for some reason, that’s the best sparkler to serve. Otherwise, go with something special - either the very elegant Schramsberg from California or one of the Champagnes from France with Heidsieck in the name.
Be sure to taste the wines before you buy them by the case. In fact, you might want to buy several wines in your price range, put them in bags and decide with friends in a blind tasting which ones you like best. Have fun with this. Let the groom and his friends choose the red, the bride and her friends the white — and, most important, the parents and their friends the bubbly. Since you’re already planning, you have plenty of time for this.
So decide how much you want to spend and then buy, say, six of the same kind of wine around the same price. Put them all in bags and number them. Then have everybody taste all six. Don't make this too serious. Just relax, throw in some casual dishes, and have a party.
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