How can you please them all? Young to old, topers to tee-totallers, occasional drinkers to wine buffs - if there is one festive occasion that really gathers drinkers of every sort, it's a wedding. Here are a few tips and suggestions.
If it's a stand-up reception rather than a seated meal, it's important that all the wines should be easy-drinking, and good to drink on their own. Tough reds or sharp whites might be OK with food, but they can be hard on both teeth and tummy in the long gaps between the appearance of trays of canapés.
Actually, if it's a long reception, that advice goes for Champagne, too. Champagne is
one of the most acid of wines,
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 and hard work, on its own, over a long period. A better bet, softer and fruitier, would be sparkling wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or the USA, where there's more sun and the grapes end up less acid. These can be very decent at £5.99, delicious at £8.99, and far more appealing than the cheapest Champagnes. Save a good Champagne for the toasts. |
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 Along with the fizz, give a choice of still wines, too: soft, light, fruity reds (rated A, B maybe even C on the Tesco shelves); a dry but fruity white (from Chile, the South of France, Hungary, perhaps, and Tesco-rated 1-2 for dryness); and maybe a medium-dry wine (rated 3-4). You know your friends and family better than we do to work out proportions of red, dry or sweeter whites. There are a few styles of white wine will suit both the dry- and sweeter-toothed - for example, the less expensive Australian Rieslings, just off-dry, should satisfy wine buffs as well as Aunt Maude. Incidentally, if Uncle
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Harold wants a glass of sherry, and if he insists it should be medium Amontillado, remember him too. The secret of happy guests at a wedding is to cater for tastes.
And that extends to a sit-down meal, as well. You can serve the same aperitifs as above, or a glass of Champagne. Then consult our wine with food section for the wines to go with individual dishes or ingredients. Just remember to offer something for everybody. Stick with a soft, fruity red, and a choice of crisp, dry white and fruity, off-dry white, and your new in-laws will realise their precious child couldn't have made a better choice. |
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And you could serve sweet fizz with the cake. Asti undoubtedly tastes better with wedding cake than champagne (unless you're buying Champagne Demi-Sec), but you may feel that's taking wine and food matching that little step too far!
How much? Allow three glasses of wine per head overall, and a glass of fizz for toasts. But again, you know your friends and family better than we do. When in doubt, over-cater. You can always drink it up later. (Or sell it to your new father-in-law.)
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 And don't forget some interesting soft drinks for children, drivers, tee-totallers and people off alcohol for whatever reason. We swear by freshly squeezed orange juice for special occasions (and you can make brilliant Bucks Fizz mixed half and half with sparkling wine). Or there are the new adult soft drinks such as Aqualibra and Amé Celebration. Or fizzy water. Anyone for a cup of tea? |
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