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Beverage
101
By Amy E.
Lemen
What could be more fun than selecting wine for a wedding?
Whether you have the opportunity to pick the spirits of choice
for the Champagne toast at an intimate rehearsal dinner,
hundreds of guests at your reception, or the special bottle of
Merlot you and your honey will celebrate with on your wedding
night, it’s good to know before you go.
If you remember nothing else when shopping for wine, remember
this: keep it simple to satisfy most people’s tastes – unless of
course your guests are longtime subscribers to Wine
Spectator.
“We always recommend that the bride and groom stay with real
easy drinking, medium-bodied reds and whites,” says Chuck
Huffaker, wine expert and managing partner at Austin’s Grapevine
Market. “A lot of times they try to get these heavy-bodied
wines, but the best bet is to stay in the middle.”
Another misconception is that couples need to spend a lot of
money on wine for their celebration – not true!
“Spending too much money on wine is a common mistake,” says
Huffaker. “Unless it’s a wine-savvy crowd, stick with less
expensive bottles that are also great wines.”
Huffaker says there are quite a few fantastic choices in the
under $10 range. He makes it a point to first meet the couple
and determine what their tastes are before recommending a wine
for all.
“Think about your style and tastes first – whether you like
Shiraz or Chilean wines, for example,” he says. “After we learn
about their preferences, we offer couples a few suggestions on
wines to try and give them a case discount if there are a few
whites and reds they’re trying to choose between.”
Here are other tips from Grapevine Market to make your
celebration sparkle!
1. Know your guests: Who’s on your list? Are they wine
drinkers, or will they be just as happy with a couple of kegs
and a Champagne toast? These are important points to consider
when deciding on a wine budget.
2. But buy what you like: As Huffaker says, stick with
what people know and love – and that means you. Keep in mind
that “medium-bodied wines are always a good choice, whether
you’re drinking white or red wine,” says Huffaker.
3. Have a wine tasting! Remember that case discount?
Invite your wedding party, close friends and family over for a
tasting. “Choosing wine should be fun, and this is a great way
to do it. If they’re comfortable with what they’re tasting,
chances are your guests will be, too.” Decide how much you want
to spend, and then choose several bottles, red and white, in
that price range. Hide the labels in brown bags, then have
everyone rate the wines. Not only will you end up with great
choices, you’ll have a lot of fun doing it, too!
4. Consider the time of year: Huffaker says the time of
year and the season will depend how much you’ll need of red or
white. “People tend to choose about 50 percent red, 50 percent
white in the fall and spring,” he says. “In the summer, you’ll
need to go heavier on the white wine, and in winter – heavier on
the red wine, because that’s what people tend to drink more of
then.”
5. Don’t run out! Of course, when it comes to wedding
wine for your special celebration, it’s always better to have
too much than too little. The average wine bottle will yield
four to six glasses, and experts say to allow about a
half-bottle per person. That might sound like a lot, but
Huffaker says it’s tough to predict whether people will choose
white or red – so better safe than sorry. Besides, you can
always save the extra for your first housewarming party after
the honeymoon!
Wine Picks to Make Most Everyone Happy:
The following reds, whites and sparklers are top
wedding/celebration seller at Grapevine Market – and all can be
had for a great price (under $10):
Reds:
Miranda Shiraz (Australia): One of Grapevine Market’s
most popular for its taste and price
Protocolo (Spain): A versatile red that’s great for
weddings
Whites:
Domaine Petit Chateau Chardonnay (France): A big favorite
in the white category
B&E Urbane (South Africa): A Sauvignon Blanc that’s
perfect for summer soirees
Sparklers:
L. Palais (France): Grapevine Market’s #1 seller for
weddings
Francois Montand (France): Another great buy
Cristallino (Spain): A Spanish cava (sparkling wine) that
tastes like a celebration.
Once you’ve made your picks, be sure to set an extra bottle
aside to open on your first anniversary – or ask your wine guy
to recommend a great bottle just for the two of you. After all
that hard work, you’ve earned it!
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