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Ah, weddings – when two souls tie the knot, families come together, and we celebrate love. But amidst the vows and the toasts, there's one unsung hero that can make or break the celebration: the wine.
Firstly, if you’re reading this, you've decided to purchase the wines yourself rather than going through a venue. Congratulations, you’ve already made the first smart move! You’re giving yourself more choice, more flexibility, and almost certainly better value for your budget.
Choosing the perfect bottles for your wedding is like picking the right partner – it requires a blend of compatibility, taste, and that extra sparkle. So, how do you ensure your guests are merry and their glasses never empty? Here's our guide to buying wine for your wedding.
The first hurdle in your wedding wine journey is determining how much to buy, as this sets the foundation for your budget.
Sparkling wine is the go-to choice for welcome drinks and toasts. You can typically get seven glasses (around 100ml each) out of a bottle. So, if you're planning for one glass per person and have 50 guests, you'll need seven to eight bottles. However, we recommend planning for one to two glasses per person, as most guests will head back for a top-up.
Still wine can be a bit trickier to estimate. Consider the drinking habits of your friends and family. If they're a boozy bunch, plan for one / one and a half bottles per person (it might sound a lot, but trust us, wine is far more gluggable when it's free!). If your guests are more restrained, half a bottle per person should suffice. And remember, some people won’t drink at all and others may prefer beers or spirits.
For outdoor, summer weddings, guests often drink more white wines and rosé wines, so consider an even split between white, rosé, and red wine. For indoor weddings in cooler months, there are generally more red wine drinkers. Skip the rosé and go for a 60/40 red to white split.
Don’t stress if you overestimate. Any leftover wine will be perfect for date nights, celebratory milestones, or any occasion that calls for a good bottle. Let’s face it – there’s always an occasion for wine!
You don’t need a champagne budget to pop bottles. Plenty of fantastic wines won’t break the bank.
Firstly, don’t get caught up on having the most expensive, complex wine at your wedding. At the end of the day, you want bottles that are quaffable and will see your guests through the event. After a few glasses of bubbles and a couple of questionable speeches, your guests won’t be overanalysing the wine on the table – trust us.
For good quality bottles that won’t break the bank, avoid the big names, opt for small producers, and explore areas outside of the well-established. Perhaps you’re a Barolo fan, but that doesn’t fit into your budget. Look further afield in the Langhe, where they make fantastic youthful Nebbiolo wines, the same grape as Barolo, but far more approachable for guests and affordable without the DOCG label. Champagne is often the go-to for a wedding, but there are plenty of sparkling wine options that are much more wallet-friendly and often more interesting. “Traditional method” bubbles, which is the way Champagne is made, can be found from all corners of the globe, from Italy to South Africa. Equally, other styles like tank method Prosecco can be a fantastic budget sparkling option.
At the end of the day, you want easy-drinking bottles that keep the good times flowing and your guests happy.
Yes, we always say it, but here we are again telling you just how important sipping with the seasons is. Whether you're planning a cozy winter wonderland wedding or a summer scorcher on the beach, aligning your wine choices to complement the season is a must.
If you’re leaning towards a warmer weather wedding, keep it refreshing and chilled. Opt for crisp and fresh white wines like Grüner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc, and light and elegant red wines like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais. These wines are perfectly suited to the fresh and vibrant flavours of the season. And let's not forget rosé—buckets of it, chilled right down, ready for your guests to enjoy.
On the other hand, a cold weather wedding calls for riper and richer style wines, with flavours and bodies that will stand up well to the bigger seasonal flavours. Go for white wines which are ripe and fruit driven like Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, and juicy and smooth red wines like Merlot and Primitivo.
By sipping with the seasons, you create a seamless harmony between your theme, your menu, and your wedding wine choices.
Anything in bulk can generally be purchased at a discounted rate, and wine is no exception. Don’t take the price at face value, and if you know your numbers, always ask for the best price you can get for a bulk order. We’re always happy to put together bespoke offers and discounts based on our customers' wants and needs, so don’t hesitate to reach out via email if you're looking for a bespoke offer.
It may sound obvious, but try before you buy! You wouldn’t buy a car without giving it a test drive. In the lead-up to the wedding, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pop a few bottles, so order a selection, gather the family, the groomsmen, or the bridal party, and get tasting! It’s always good to hear the opinions of your loved ones before the big day too. Plus, it's a great excuse to drink wine. "It's for the wedding, honey!"
By following these tips, you’ll ensure your wedding is a celebration to remember, filled with love, laughter, and, of course, plenty of fabulous wine.
But if you're still in need of some pointers when it comes to what wines to buy for a wedding, then don’t hesitate to contact the team at Sociovino via email for recommendations. We offer bespoke wedding wine packages to suit all tastes and budgets, from the most intimate gatherings to large-scale events.
Cheers to love and the love of good wine!
___________
Sociovino’s Recommendations for Big Day Bubbles:
Attractive tutti-frutti notes hop out of the glass with this Vinvita Prosecco, clear peach, pear and lemon notes with a touch of jasmine flower. The palate is fresh, round and deliciously moreish with more green apple, peach and elderflower flavours. This Prosecco DOC offers fantastic value for money.
Notes of small red berries give way to fresh apples and pears on the nose, with a subtle savory, almost dough-like note. On the palate, it is lifted by the Pinot Meunier which dominates the blend and gives a firm fruity expression. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir compliment for body and structure and you're left with a mouth-watering finish and zingy concentration that will have your guests going back for more.
How about something home grown? Made from a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, carefully selected and hand-harvested from their Sussex vineyards. Highweald's traditional method sparkling wine is refreshing and elegant, with aromas of orchard and citrus fruit, toast, and spice. On the palate, the Chardonnay dominance brings crisp fruit and freshness, and the Pinot adds depth and roundness, with wonderful length.
Pink Prosecco this is not! Although it shares a region and a production method with this style, the Bollicine Rosé from Serafini & Vidotto is so much more. It has a delicate fruitiness, a creamy mouthful and zippy freshness that makes it the perfect choice for a wedding wine.
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