“Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words,” said classic Roman playwright Plautus – and what occasion is worth celebrating if not a wedding? But here in SA – where the choice of wine and bubbly seems endless – finding top tipple for your big day can feel intimidating.
Panic not – help is here in the form of Anthonij Rupert Wines’ hospitality manager Gidi Caetano. “All the details of a wedding celebration have been carefully selected to reflect the atmosphere and theme you wish to create for your guests – and the selection of your wine and bubbly should be no different!” says Gidi. “And when it comes to a wedding, you’re probably catering to a host of different palates, so it’s important to choose wines which won’t only suit your menu, but also the widest range of tastes.”
So here’s everything you need to know about that important drinks selection – from white and red to bubbly. Keep the drinks flowing with this stellar advice.
There’s so much choice out there! What are my failsafe wine choices?
“As canapés and set menus are normally the order of the day for weddings, it’s important to choose wines which are versatile with food,” explains Gidi. “Since most weddings occur in the summer months, it’s also good to go for wines which are well-suited to warm days and balmy nights.”
White: “Choose crisp, fresh, dry white wines.”
Like… “Sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, unwooded Chardonnay, or a blend of these varietals are your best bets.”
Red: “Opt for medium bodied, dry, easy drinking reds.”
Like… “Merlot, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, or a blend of these will keep your guests merry.”
A Merlot is a great red choice
A chenin blanc is a versatile white for a summer wedding
What am I looking for when I shop for wine and sparkling wine for my wedding?
“As a rule, look for wines which have attractive, upfront fruit – lovely aromas that follow through when you taste it; these are the most pleasant for a wide range of palates,” advises Gidi. “And choose wines which don’t require further ageing – they’ll make for easier drinking, and will be ready for consumption by the time of your wedding.”
I’m serving canapés… what do I pour with them?
“MCC (Method Cap Classique) or a white blend (go for a mix of sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay) partner deliciously with a variety of foods, but especially fish patés, smoked salmon and prawns – which can often form the basis of a traditional canapé menu.”
What should I serve to add sparkle to our wedding toasts?
“Choosing a good quality MCC or sparkling wine is key, as the toasts are a pivotal moment of your day – and one you only want happy memories of,” says Gidi. “Make your toasts memorable by choosing a crisp, dry and elegant MCC – look for a brut style (dry), as this is ideal for toasts. The L’Ormarins Brut Classique (60% Chardonnay/40% pinot noir) is an excellent example of this.”
How do I work out wine and bubbly quantities for my wedding?
“You can serve five 150ml glasses from a standard-sized (750ml) bottle of wine or bubbly,” explains Gidi. “If you’re serving bubbly as a welcome drink, and then later for toasts, it’s a safe bet to work on two glasses per person. (Some will have less, some will have more, but that’s a good average to work with.) For white and red wine, plan for two glasses per person – most guests will have one glass of white with their starter, and one glass of red with their main course. As an overall rule, you shouldn’t need to buy more than one bottle of wine per guest. That’s generally more than enough to ensure you don’t run out of wine halfway through your celebrations.”
Any great, bubbly-based cocktail ideas I can use for my wedding?
“Sparkling wine cocktails are festive and fun, and the bonus is you can even choose a recipe that’ll suit the colour theme of your wedding!” says Gidi. “If you’re having a romantic-, antique- or vintage-style wedding, these pale orange and pale pink cocktails are divine.”
Tangerine Tango
Ingredients(serves one)
100ml MCC or sparkling wine
25ml Cointreau
Thin sliver of tangerine peel, for garnish
Method
Pour Cointreau into a champagne flute and top up with MCC or sparkling wine. Add garnish and serve.
Pomegranate and Cranberry Cooler
Ingredients(serves one)
80ml MCC or sparkling wine
50ml cranberry juice
Pomegranate seeds, for garnish
Method
Pour cranberry juice into a champagne flute and then top with MCC or sparkling wine. Sprinkle seeds on top and serve.
And finally: how can you tell if a bottle of wine is corked?
“A corked bottle of wine is affected by a bacteria called TCA (full name: 2,4,6-trichloroanisole), resulting in the wine smelling distinctly musty and mouldy once opened – a bit like a damp cellar or wet cardboard smells. The taste will also be affected (it’ll lack the fruity and floral aromas usually there) – and that’s when you’re perfectly entitled to tell your waiter you’d like a different bottle.”
Have any great cocktail recipes for a wedding or party? Tell us yours at @GLAMOUR_sa with #GLAMWedding to share!
