When selecting wine for a special occasion, people are often afraid they’ll make the wrong choice, commit some social faux pas by serving cabernet instead of merlot. The truth is, the wines you like
are the right wines to serve. There are no hard and fast rules other than to follow your own preferences. That said, we’ll discuss wines that seem to go particularly well with certain foods.
White Wines
- Chardonnay
This crisp, dry white wine is extremely popular. It is a taste sure to please most wine lovers and is a great choice to accompany almost any food. Because it is not a sweet wine it goes particularly well with richer foods in cream sauces, rich seafood such as lobster, shrimp or salmon, as well as specialty meats such as veal.
- Sauvignon Blanc
Not as dry as Chardonnay, and possessing a fruity bouquet, this is an extremely refreshing wine -- perfect for a summer wedding. It is great on its own during cocktail hour, but tastes particularly delicious when served with grilled fish dishes, crisp, cold salads or any vegetable dish. If you plan to serve spicy food, Sauvignon Blanc is an ideal choice.
- White Zinfandel
This sweet, blush colored wine is very popular. Although you might consider serving it during cocktail hour, it may not be the best selection for the dinner wine. The sweetness of the wine can be overwhelming, particularly with the rich food so often served at weddings.
- Champagne!
Technically called Sparkling Wine if it does not come from the Champagne region of France, this is the perennial wedding drink for sipping and for toasts. It couples particularly well with the food generally served as hors d’oeuvres -- items such as smoked salmon, Asian hors d’oeuvres, shrimp, and best of all… wedding cake. Choosing a Sparking Wine labeled "blanc de noirs," would be a good way to go.
-
Red Wines
- Merlot
Perhaps the ideal red wine to serve if your aim is to satisfy most of your guests. A delicious variety that’s not as hearty as a Cabernet and not as light as a Pinot Noir, Merlot is a red that goes well with most foods. This wine is a good complement to the lighter roast meats, particularly fowl such as duck, chicken, quail or game hen. It is also wonderful with roast pork and leg of lamb.
- Pinot Noir
This lighter-tasting red accompanies pork, duck and chicken very well. It does not have the wide exposure of wines like Cabernet or Merlot, so many people might not be familiar with its wonderful taste and aromas of plum, blackberry and vanilla. This wine also goes well with creamy sauces or dishes featuring cheese.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
This bold, rich red goes best with heartier dishes such as prime rib, rack of lamb, and any kind of game meats. Cabernet is also a great wine to serve alone. It’s a classic, and the number of very good yet affordable cabs is growing every year.
- Shiraz or Syrah
This slightly peppery wine is an excellent choice if you plan to serve spicy food, roast lamb, eggplant dishes or barbequed meats. It is beautifully dark and aromatic. Many of the best Shiraz and Shiraz/Cabernet combinations come from Australia and are available at very reasonable prices.
- Chianti
A light and versatile wine form the Chianti region of Italy, this variety ranges widely in price and quality. The good news is that Chianti goes beautifully with a variety of foods, from the lightest chicken dishes to the heartiest tomato-based creations.
- Zinfandel
A deep, full-bodied wine with complex flavors is almost a meal in itself. This variety of wine is another wonderful choice if you’re having spicy food or anything with a tomato base. It is also a good choice for beef and barbeque. Do not, however, serve Zinfandel with anything creamy, cheesy or sweet. Theirs vs. Yours
It is very common for reception locations to offer couples a wide selection of wines to choose from. They will let you taste the wines they offer and if you don’t care for their choices you will usually be allowed to bring in your own wine. A warning: if you bring in your own, they will generally charge you a corkage fee per bottle which can add significantly to your catering bill, so be sure to budget accordingly.
Take A Taste
If you plan to bring in your own wine, choosing the varieties you’ll serve can be a fun part of your wedding planning process. Find several bottles in your price range, gather some friends for dinner and have a wine tasting to select your favorites. Once you’ve made your choices, your friendly wine store owner may offer you a deal for buying in bulk. If they don’t have the wine you like in stock, they can order it for you usually within a couple of weeks.
The Progression
When selecting wine for their reception, most couples chose one white and one red. The guests tend to choose their wine and stick with it throughout the celebration (with a break for Champagne, of course). But if you decide to serve a variety of wines during the reception, we’d like to suggest a few guidelines as you pour. Serve the fresher, lighter wines first -- these are usually the whites. Start with the drier whites, saving the sweeter varieties for the main part of the meal and even desert. Serving whites first, then moving to younger followed by older reds is a wonderful way to orchestrate the wine service at a dinner.