How to Select Wine for Your Wedding Reception

Choosing to serve wine at your wedding reception is a lovely way to add a touch of class to the occasion. However, selecting wine can be a bit of a problem if you don’t know much about wine. These easy steps will assist you in your selection.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Number of adults attending
• Menu for reception

1. Consider if you want separate wines for the different courses. Not every wine goes with everything. You should consider a separate wine to accompany the cake as well as the main entrée.

2. Decide how much wine you want to provide for the wedding. If you wish to provide only a single glass to each guest, then keep in mind the rule that one bottle equals four glasses. Using that formula you will be able to determine approximately how much wine you will require for your wedding.

3. Look at the menu for your wedding to assist in deciding what types of wine you will want for your reception. While there are rules that go along with what wines go with which dishes, the most important rule is to have a wine you will enjoy.

4. Go to your local wine cellar and sample wines. Bring along the menu and get suggestions from the stewards working at the cellar. These people are wine experts. They will be able to tell you what will go with what and you will be able to sample the wine before you purchase it.

5. Purchase your wine to provide enough for the guests who will attend. Always buy a little more than you predict will be necessary. It is better to end up with an extra case of good wine, than to have to listen to Aunt Martha whine because she didn’t get any Rhine.
   
   

Tips & Warnings

• Any good wine cellar will have a tasting night or regular tastings you can be attend. This is an easy way to try the wines you are interested in, not to mention you will also learn about the wines being tasted.
• Many wine cellars offer a Case Club discount. If you are going to be purchasing wine in bulk, this may be a great money saver for you.
• Wine prices vary. A decent bottle of wine can run anywhere from eight to three hundred dollars a bottle. Don’t be afraid to experiment, many South African and Australian wines are lower in price and high in flavor.
• Some wine vendors will put a special label on the bottles for your wedding. This is a lovely souvenir for your guests and wedding party.
• Consider adding wine charms to your shopping list. These little charms fit around the stem of the glass to identify individual glasses.
• Good wine can be expensive. While wine in a box is cheap, it is often not of a decent quality. If all you are looking for is table wine, boxed wine may be for you.