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Choosing the best wine for your wedding is arguably one of the most enjoyable parts of wedding planning. Even if you’re not much of a wine drinker, tasting different varieties of wines with your partner can be a fun experience. 

However, it can also be a challenging task. When selecting wine for a wedding there are many different factors to consider. You have to choose a couple options that go with your menu of choice, while also keeping in mind that not all of your guests will share the same taste for wine as you. 

Don’t panic though, as we are here to help you find the best wine for your wedding! We have compiled some of our best tips for selecting a wedding wine, as well as a list of the most universal “crowd pleasers” that won’t leave any guests disappointed. 

So without further ado, let’s help you choose some fine wine for your special day!

What to Consider When Choosing Wine for a Wedding? 

As we already mentioned there are quite a few things to keep in mind before you make a decision when it comes to wedding wine. You may be thinking that you’ll just pick a few bottles of the cheapest one, but that’s the last thing you want to be doing for an event as significant as your wedding day!

Serving cheap wine that has no refined flavour profile and tastes almost like vinegar can absolutely ruin the party. 

What food are you serving? 

When selecting wine for any occasion you should always think of the food you’re serving with it. The basic rule of wine pairing that applies in the most significant number of scenarios is white meats with white wine and red meats with red. 

For instance, if you’re serving chicken, turkey or fish you want your guests to enjoy a crisp white wine with it, while if your reception menu contains pork or beef you want to stick to full-bodied reds. 

If your budget allows it you should consider selecting a different wine for each course, however, if you’re planning a wedding on a tight budget, you should try selecting a wine that goes well with both your starter and main course. Consult with the chef that will be preparing the food or a professional sommelier if you’re having a hard time deciding on a wine to go with all courses on your menu. 

Don’t forget that you should also select a fine sparkling wine for the traditional champagne toast.  

How much wine will you need? 

Running out of wine during your wedding reception can put you in an awkward situation, which is why you have to carefully calculate how much wine you’ll need and round up the number. If you know your guests enjoy wine, maybe even get a couple extra cases (you can always save a few bottles of your wedding wine for significant anniversaries). 

It’s recommended that you have at least two reds, two white wines and a sparkling, but if you have a bigger budget it’s always better to have a bigger variety. In terms of quantity the general rule of thumb is two glasses per adult during the welcome drinks (if you’re serving wine for this part), then one bottle per two people at dinner and one to two glasses of champagne for the toast. 

The total amount of wine you get should be split 60:40 red to white, or if you’re also serving rosé you should do 50% red and 25% rosé and white each. An average wine bottle of wine contains six glasses. 

If you’re struggling doing the math, you can always consult with your catering provider or wine supplier, or use an online wine calculator. Remember to round up whatever number you get as it’s always better to have some extra wine. 

Wines to go with the season

What time of the year you’re getting married may also affect the types of wines you choose for your reception. People usually prefer certain types of wine depending on the season, for instance at a summer wedding guests tend to enjoy more rosé or white wine, while at a winter wedding ceremony people usually go for more reds. 

How to save money on your wedding wine? 

Planning a wedding is rather expensive, so we understand that you want to save money wherever you can. When it comes to saving money on wine for your wedding, what discounts you can get will very much depend on venue restrictions, whether you’re the one supplying your own wine, etc.  

Certain in-house catered venues might not allow you to bring in wine from outside vendors, so you’ll likely have to purchase your wine through their suppliers. Private venues may be more lenient with it and allow you to buy your own wine. 

You should also keep in mind that some venues will let you bring your own wine, but will charge a corkage fee per bottle. A good rule to stick to is if the corkage fee is more expensive than the bottle of wine, it’s best to go through your caterers for supplying the wine. 

Here are a few more rules that can potentially cut the cost of wine for your reception: 

• Shop by the case - buying cases of the wine you will be serving, always works out cheaper than individual bottles as most wine vendors offer a discounted price for wine cases. 

• Buy magnums - magnums are the largest bottles of wine available to buy. Going for this option instead of standard bottles will not only save you money on the overall quantity of wine, but can also bring down the corkage fee as you’ll have to get less bottles. 

• Sign up for newsletters and mailing lists - many online stores as well as physical wine retailers offer special discounts in their promotional mail or newsletters, if you start planning what wine you will be buying early on you can take advantage of some of them. 

If you’re set on buying the wine for your wedding yourself, always make sure you go to trusted wine vendors as they always have the best selection to choose from and many of them offer special packages for weddings and bigger parties. 

What Red Wine is Best for a Wedding? 

With a certain sophistication and class, red wines are always the most popular choice for weddings. And with a wide range of varietals to choose from it’s easy to find something to suit all tastes. 

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the universal crowd pleasers when it comes to reds. This is a wine with fewer tannins and a light body, which makes it suitable with a great variety of foods. Most wine lovers will happily enjoy a glass of Pinot with their meal, especially if beef is on the menu. Pinot Noir is also a widely popular wine, so you can find different varieties from all over the world and buying large quantities of it won’t cost an arm and a leg. 

Shiraz

Shiraz is a rich and fruity red with earthy notes of tobacco and leather that will definitely go down a treat with grilled red meats like game, lamb or pork. While it’s not usually a universal choice for weddings, anyone can appreciate a glass of good Shiraz, especially if you’re hosting your ceremony in autumn or winter. 

Cabernet Sauvignon

If you’re leaning more towards full-bodied wines when it comes to reds, you certainly shouldn’t ignore Cabernet Sauvignon. This is one of the best known wine varieties in the world, so even guests that aren’t widely familiar with wines would be able to enjoy it. If lamb or steak is on the menu then you should definitely  consider a full-bodied Cabernet. 

What is a Good White Wine for a Wedding? 

When it comes to whites, you want to choose something light and fruity with as little oaky notes as possible. White wines tend to be refreshing but can still be on the dry side, especially if aged. 

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is generally on the richer side and can have an intense creamy flavour. It goes down particularly well with chicken, white fish or vegetarian dishes. If Chardonnay is your choice of white, try to go for a variety that is lightly oaked or not oaked at all. 

Sauvignon Blanc 

If there is one go-to white wine for weddings that is Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is refreshing and light, perfect to serve all year round and popular enough to please all guests, from the wine snobs to the ones that drink wine only on occasions. In addition Sauvignon Blanc pairs exceptionally well with seafood, cheese, chicken and vegetables. 

Pinot Grigio

Light but firm, with fruity notes of melon, pear and spices, Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris, is a refreshing option for a summer wedding. It pairs well with light dishes such as pasta, fish or shellfish, so overall a great wine to serve with starters or canapes. 

Riesling

This option may be a bit of a wild-card for most, but it certainly ticks all the boxes of what to look for in a white wine. Crisp and aromatic with prominent notes of spice, Riesling often ranges from sweet to very dry and works well with a wide variety of meals. 

What About Sparkling Wine for a Wedding? 

Since you’ll need less sparkling wine than red or white, you can allow yourself to splurge on a better one. The best type of bubbly to serve at a wedding is, of course, an old-fashioned Champagne. There are many varieties of champagne you can choose including Brut or fine Blanc de Blanc, but if your budget doesn't quite stretch to Dom Perignon for all your guests there are plenty of other options for sparkling wine to serve during your wedding toasts.

A sparkling Italian Proscecco that is sweet, dry and with notes of peach and flowers, this is a great budget option when you have to cater to a large wedding party. If you want something that’s perhaps a bit more full-bodied and modern, you can choose a sparkling rose instead. 

Conclusion

We hope that with our tips you’ll feel more confident when choosing the perfect wine to serve on your special day. Now all that’s left to do is taste a few just to find out which one you fancy the most!

Photo by Avonne Stalling: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-wearing-bridal-gown-3916019/