There’s so much to think of when planning a wedding and its menu, whether you have a planner or you’re doing it all yourself. It’s easy for the little details to slip through the cracks. Don’t worry – we have your back, ensuring you have everything on lock for your special day, even down to the perfect choice of wine, whether it’s some celebratory bubbly or the perfect accompaniment to your reception meal.
Every wedding deserves at least one good red wine. The best red wines are known for their balanced flavors, the perfect combination of tannin, acidity, alcohol, and sugar. This robust quality is great on its own and paired with a formal dinner.
Red meat and red wine are a match made in heaven, so if you’re planning a meaty main course, then this is where you’ll want to focus your wedding’s wine pairings. For the rich, delicate flavor of lamb, you might decide to splash out and spoil your guests with the 2019 Chateau Rothschild “Le Petit Mouton” Pauillac. A good Pinot Noir is your friend here, too, a versatile pairing for just about any style of lamb dish and always a crowd-pleaser.
For steak and winter dishes, like stews, a Cabernet Sauvignon’s bold flavors provide a delicious complement. It cuts through the fat of any dish, cleansing your palate so that the last bite is as delicious as the first. Go international with the 2022 Natura Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, or choose a California Cabernet from our extensive collection.
At any event, your red wine should always be accompanied by a white. Generally a little lighter and fruitier than their red counterparts, white wines are a crisp, delicate counterpoint to fish, seafood, poultry, and other lighter fare. Stay away from the very sweet varieties lest they overwhelm the palate. For events, a light, fresh Sauvignon Blanc is often a top choice as it appeals to most palates and pairs well with a variety of dishes.
In terms of wedding wines, the subtle creaminess of a Chardonnay is usually a winner, pairing effortlessly with a chicken or fish-based wedding menu. The 2021 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay has a fantastic balance of fruity apple notes and a refreshing acidity that is the perfect counterpoint to a buttery salmon. It works well with poultry, creamy pasta, and pork dishes, too.
What’s a celebration without some bubbles? Whether it’s real French champagne or sparkling wine, this is a classic choice to include in your wedding drink menu, whether at cocktail hour or at the reception (or both!). Apart from its signature role in the toasts, it also pairs well with appetizers and hors d’oeuvres.
Matching the sweetness of your champagne to the food on offer is a recipe for getting your evening off to the best possible start. Brut champagnes are generally dryer, while sec indicates the sweeter end of the spectrum. Like other white wines, they work well with seafood, but they’re perfectly capable of elevating just about anything.
If you’re not a wine fundi, selecting the right wines for your wedding can seem overwhelming. Even if you’ve narrowed it down to the types of wine you want to include, there are so many to choose from, and it’s hard to find a simple answer of which one is “the best” for you on your own.
At the Bedford Village Inn, we have worked to build an extensive wine cellar that includes fantastic examples of just about every type of wine, both American and from around the world. Our talented wedding team can advise you on the perfect wine choices to suit your wedding menu, theme, and budget.
Get in touch with us for a free wedding consultation, and we’ll guide you through the process.