*This is a branded post. Guest Contributor: Rosie Maclean Image Credits: https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photo-of-man-holding-hand-of-woman-holding-wine-glass-BTPLv4zvEbs For the bridal couple, planning for a wedding can sometimes feel like an arduous task. There is a checklist of items waiting to be ticked off, and a stringent timeline to do it in. One of the integral moments of wedding planning would be settling on a menu for the celebratory feast after the couple says ‘I do.’ The menu will be made up of several courses that need to be paired with a suitable drink In this article, we will provide insight into how to pick wine in accordance with the food being served, the theme, or the venue of the wedding. Summer weddings are one of the most popular times of the year to get married. This season is light and bright and there are many factors that one will be able to work with in order to have the perfect summer event. Summertime weddings are the best option for a destination wedding on the West Coast. Southern California has a variety of locations to choose from, including wineries, beaches, and estates that will make the wedding stand out. By choosing a venue like a vineyard, you will have a selection of wine options to choose from on hand, that can be provided by the winery itself. Themes can also play a vital role in the menu of the wedding, and by extension, it will influence the drink selection For example, a romantic-themed event that is akin to a spring field will see a menu rife with seasonal foods that can be paired with Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris. On the other hand, a Regency or Renaissance-themed wedding will see rich foods paired with Bordeaux-style red wines. When sending out invitations, it would be preferable to implement an RSVP, so there will be an idea of how much wine to prepare for the wedding. There can also be an option where guests can tentatively provide their choice on the type of wine they would like at the wedding, so it can be stocked at the bar, or to be served during the reception. To make matters easier, a versatile wine, such as Pinot Noir, Gruner Veltliner, or Grenache can be served with the meals. These wines are not too far on either end of the spectrum and can be had paired with most meals - but it won’t be a perfect match. For novices, this is a fair choice, but with the assistance of a sommelier, the wine choices can elevate the experience of the dinner. This small course will tide the guests over until it is time for the mains to be served. Salty appetizers go best with sparkling wines, while Riesling is more suited to spicy dishes, and Syrah is great for grilled red meat. Image Credits: https://unsplash.com/photos/clear-martini-glass-on-brown-surface-f6Wpz1QPFZI The wine options chosen for this course can be made based on the different meats that can be served. For chicken dishes, a guideline for wine can be Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or even Sauvignon Blanc. Red meat dishes like beef are better suited to wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Shiraz. Fish and seafood dishes such as grilled lobster tail, shrimps, and salmon are better with white wines like Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling There are a range of dessert wines that are suitable for the final course. There are fortified wines, sparkling wines, and a variety of sweetened ones. There are Sherrys, Ports, Madeira, and many more options to choose from. While champagne is the go-to option for the toast, it is still a sparkling wine and can be replaced with other types of sparkling wine at the discretion of the bridal couple’s preference. Other options can include sparkling Rosé , Prosecco, or Cava. Wine is an important part of a wedding. Some weddings include either an open bar or a cash bar for their guests to use. In addition to a variety of drinks and cocktails that can be served, the bridal couple can have a signature cocktail made in honor of them and served to the guests during the event. The wines can be served from the bar as per the guest’s needs. Alternatively, if you can have tokens that the guests can redeem at the bar for their allocation of wine for the night - so as to promote a safe drinking environment for the guests. Image Credits: https://unsplash.com/photos/liquor-pours-in-wine-glass-PPneSBqfCCU The below will help navigate what type of wine goes best with different flavors. In addition to the non-alcoholics that will be attending, there will also be children at the venue. Accommodations can be made for them, for example, by swapping out sparkling wine for sparkling juice. Based on how many people are attending, there needs to be enough wine to go around. It will be handy to have an alcohol calculator, which will be able to estimate how much wine to buy for serving purposes. In the case of buying wine in advance, there needs to be accommodations made for storage in the right conditions. A wine cellar or a dark dry room at home would be the ideal place to keep if it is a long period of time. There are also considerations that need to be made for the transportation of the wine stock to the wedding venue. Weddings require a lot of planning, one of the important items on their to-do list would be the planning of the menu and the drinks that go with it. Choosing a wine for the wedding reception can be as simple as picking a wine they like, or having a sommelier guide them on the best wines that go with different flavors and types of dishes. These selections can help elevate the meals for all in attendance and make it a dinner to remember.
Introduction
Summer Wedding Tips For Choosing Your Wine
Consider The Venue
What Is The Wedding Theme?
Guest preferences
The Dining Options
Options For Appetizers
Choices For The Entree
Dessert Picks
The Toast
A Bar At The Venue
Flavors And Wine
Other Considerations
Conclusion
