So you have taken the big step and decided to get married. There are lots of things you need to organise for your big day. The wine selection should be one of the most enjoyable ones. There are a few things that are good to know in advance.
Talk to your hotel about their wine selection and their corkage policy
Lots of hotels have a lovely wine selection. Its good to talk through the options and sample the wines. Maybe you want to bring in your own wines. In that case, its important to agree the corkage rate with the hotel. Thats the rate that they charge for opening and serving your wine on the day. You can really haggle a good bit here !
How much wine do you need ?
A good rule of thumb is to allow a 1/2 a bottle of wine per guest. Some will drink none. Some will drink a vineyard. It balances out in the end. Our wedding offer covers this for you.
Red or White ?
Back to that rule of thumb, generally its 50 : 50 again. The time of year can affect it (summer weddings with a lovely sunny day may start a white wine avalanche while a chunky warming red may be the job in the colder months). The meal will also affect the choice. Matching the wines with the food will make a big difference.
What style of wine should I choose ?
A good start is to choose a wine you like yourself. After all, you are paying for it. A wee bit of caution here however. You need to keep it middle of the road. The wine needs to be all things to all men / women. It needs to match with the food but also needs to be very drinkable on its own. It needs to be good enough for the wine connoisseurs at the wedding but also accessible to the casual wine drinker. Spend a bit of time talking to wine people who will advise you on all of this.
Bubbles anyone ?
Some people want to go for the Oscar and order champagne for the reception and toast. Others prefer a sparkling wine option like Prosecco (Spumante or Frizzante). If the sparkling wine is being served in flutes, you will likely get between 6 and 7 glasses from a bottle.
Make sure you try the wine in advance
This may seem obvious but its amazing how many times people buy on the basis of “getting a deal”. Its so, so important to try the wine before buying it. Otherwise you may be letting yourself in for a major disappointment. Reputable suppliers will allow you try before you buy. It’s the only way to go.
I hope this helps. So if you are thinking of wine for your wedding day, why not call down and try some of our lovely wines at wholesale prices in our comfortable (non stuffy!!) tasting room. There is absolutely no hard sell and no obligation on you to buy. Its good fun really.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
