Your wedding day is approaching fast and everything seems ready: the place, the decoration, the flowers…but one box still remains to be ticked on your list: the wines ! Choosing the vintages that you will offer at your wedding is indeed a delicate task, because they play an essential role and allow you to enhance each moment of this exceptional day.
SO… follow our guide to choose the wines that will make your wedding an unforgettable event!
Selecting the perfect wines for the aperitif and the reception
The wine of honor is an important moment when your guests begin to relax and enjoy the party. It is therefore essential to choose wines that whet the appetite and please all palates . For this, here are some suggestions.
Champagnes and sparkling wines
THE Champagne East a must-have weddings. This brings a touch of festivity and prestige that makes every toast a memorable moment. So choose a champagne on the finesse, freshness and elegance …it’s a safe bet to ideally start the festivities !
Red wines for aperitifs and receptions
Alsatian red wines are perfect for a wine of honor thanks to their fruity notes and light tannins.
Red wines from Beaujolais are also an excellent proposition. The Gamay is indeed a wonderful grape variety offering freshness, fruity notes and light tannins.
Red wines from Loire , like the Chinon , Bourgueil And Sancerre are also very good choices for a aperitif friendly and delicate. Cabernet-franc and Pinot noir from the region will indeed look great for the wine of honor.
There Burgundy , with its fine and delicate red wines from Pinot noir , also offers excellent options although generally more expensive compared to other regions.
Finally, and although many other possibilities exist, the Rhone Valley is also one of the sure values, notably with its delicious Côtes-du-Rhône reds.
White wines for aperitifs and receptions
THE Alsatian white wines , especially those based on Riesling , are perfectly suited for a wine of honor thanks to their fruity notes, their freshness as well as their liveliness. This emblematic grape variety of the region brings a beautiful acidity and citrus aromas that go perfectly with a wide variety of dishes.
THE white wines of Burgundy and Beaujolais, entirely devoted to Chardonnay , are also an excellent proposition.A noble and versatile grape variety, this one offer according to its origin of mineral wines and tense but also vintages with a creamy texture and delicious aromas of stone fruits.
THE white wines from Southwest , such as those of the IGP Côtes de Gascogne, Landes and AOC Pacherenc de Vic-Bilh, also offer interesting options for a wine of honor. These wines are often distinguished by their exotic fruit aromas as well as their freshness, offering a pleasant and light taste experience.
THE white wines of the Loire , in particular the Sauvignons AOC Menetou-Salon and Sancerre, are also excellent choices for a friendly wine of honor thanks to their fruity aromas, their liveliness and their minerality. The Chenins Loire Valley apples also shine in this exercise with their notes of ripe apples, honey and their silky texture.
Other possibilities also exist, such as certain white wines from Languedoc or of Provence , which bring their own character and diversity, thus enriching the options for a successful wine of honor or aperitif.
Rosé wines for aperitifs and receptions
A rosé wine is ideal to accompany appetizers ! Light, fruity and mineral, the rosés of Coasts of Provence are indeed excellent companions to awaken the taste buds.
Additionally, if your wedding takes place between May and September, rosé can also be a great asset for refresh your guests in extreme heat.
Alcohol-free alternatives
Don't hesitate to offer your guests non-alcoholic options. ! Waters Flavored drinks, lemonades and iced teas are perfect refreshing alternatives for all ages and allow everyone to fully enjoy the moment.
The best wines to accompany the wedding meal
Choosing the right wines for each course of your wedding meal is essential in order to enhance dishes and delight the palates of your guests . Here are some ideas (not exhaustive) to guide you in your choices.
Do not hesitate to contact us directly if you would like concrete proposals for your menu… The Illuminated Cellar will be happy to accompany you for the most beautiful day of your life !
The entries
To start in a refined way, and if your entry is vegetarian or consists of light dishes based on Pisces , of seafood or shellfish , favor a dry, fresh and mineral white wine . A rosé from Provence is also an option. In this case, choose a light and fruity one.
If you choose a red wine because your starter contains meat, opt for a rather delicate wine with low to medium tannins so as not to weigh down your guests' palates from the start of the meal. !
The meal: a moment enhanced by a good wine!
Main dishes
If your main course is based on red meat (beef, lamb, etc.) or is duck breast, offer a strong, spicy, intense and rather tannic red wine.
The vineyards of Southwest (Cahors, Madiran, Bergerac), from Languedoc-Roussillon (Pic-Saint-Loup, Larzac Terraces) or Bordeaux (Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Pomerol, Saint-Émilion) for example offer a wide choice of wines corresponding to these criteria.
On a dish based on white meat (poultry, chicken, pork etc.), a red medium tannic and tasty will be a perfect match. We can then think of powerful Gamays from Beaujolais like those from AOC Morgon or even to a beautiful Syrah from the Rhone Valley (AOC Côtes-du-Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Crozes-Hermitage etc.).
THE powerful and generous white wines can also pair well with this type of dish (Pessac-Léognan in Bordeaux or even creamy Chardonnays from Burgundy like those from the AOC Meursault).
The cheese platter
While it can be tricky to find a wine that goes with an entire cheese platter, keep in mind that white wine is the color that goes best with most of them. The tannins in red wine do not mix well with lactic proteins !
The rich white wines of Languedoc-Roussillon or Rhone Valley will, for example, go wonderfully with a wide range of cheeses. Mineral white wines such as those from Chablis or the Loire are also very good choices.
Desserts
THE sweet wines are rarely offered at weddings. However, they are the ones that pair best with desserts. For chocolate treats, a sweet red wine like those from AOC Maury are for example a must !
Sauternes, sweet Gewurztraminer from Alsace or even the Vouvray sweet ones also offer real pleasure in tasting.
If you do not want to go for sweet wines, and although it is not the best in terms of pairing from an oenological point of view, champagne can then be served to the guests. A Pink champagne For example, it could be very elegant with a red fruit salad or a strawberry cake.
How to calculate the quantities needed?
Here is one of the major stresses for the bride and groom : the fear of too much or too little ! In order for your guests to never run out of wine during the reception, it is indeed essential to clearly define the necessary quantities. Good planning will avoid unpleasant surprises and guarantee a pleasant experience for all.
Wine of honor
For the wine of honor, plan approximately a bottle of champagne for three people . Champagne is indeed often consumed at the beginning of the evening and this quantity allows each guest to enjoy of about two cups .
Meal
As for the amount of wine to have during the meal, it depends above all on your main course. ! If this is red meat, then go for one bottle for three people . If your dish is fish, use the same volume but with white wine. !
Finally, for dessert, plan on about a bottle of sparkling wine for five people .
Spirits and strong alcohols at the wedding
For spirits and hard liquors, it is important to provide your guests proposals that will satisfy all tastes. Among the must-haves, you can propose :
- Whiskey : ideal for cocktails like Whiskey Coca,
- Gin : perfect for Gin & Tonic,
- Rum : ideal for refreshing mojitos.
What's better than a delicious cocktail to refresh yourself!
To estimate the quantities needed, plan ahead about one bottle of hard liquor for ten people (or about 1 glass for 10 people)...Be careful, this also depends on the average age of your guests and their party spirit!
Beyond the classic strong alcohols, it is always interesting to add 2 to 3 premium bottles for cigar lovers or smokers. These premium bottles will indeed add a touch of sophistication and allow connoisseurs to enjoy exceptional spirits in a convivial atmosphere.
Where to buy wine for your wedding?
To find the perfect wines at competitive prices for your wedding , do not hesitate to contact directly The Illuminated Cellar ! You will thus benefit from personalized advice and will be able to obtain a tailor-made quote corresponding to your expectations in terms of budget and tastes.
So…congratulations and good preparations for your wedding !
