How to Choose Wine for Your Wedding (Infographic)

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Weddings are a time to relax and have fun with your loved ones and nothing says “celebration” like a well-chosen glass (or two!) of wine.

When selecting wines for your wedding reception, it’s key to find bottles that will complement the menu, appeal to your guests, and fit the budget. Finding a wine that fits the bill may seem overwhelming to a wine novice, however, it is very do-able with just a little guidance. 

What Wines Will You Need to Provide?

If you intend to serve wine at your wedding, then you will need one type of red wine and one white wine. You should also provide one type of champagne or sparkling wine for toasts. 

How Much Wine Should You Provide?

The amount you spend on wine will be dictated by your guest count. Before calculating your wine budget, don’t forget to subtract the number of non-drinking guests (e.g. children, pregnant women etc.) 

• Wine: Each bottle should produce about six glasses of wine. Expect guests to consume about three glasses each. This means that you should provide about 2.15 bottles per guest. 

• Sparkling Wine: Champagne glasses are far smaller so you should get around eight glasses per bottle. Factor in one glass per person for the toast and two glasses per person for the champagne reception.

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Getting the Ratio Right 

You will also need to think carefully about the ratio of red: white wines. If you are planning a summer wedding, then we advise offering more white wine as this tends to be a popular choice in warmer weather. The opposite goes for winter as people seek fuller flavours to better pair with the richness of the foods on offer. 

Using the Venue’s Wine

Many couples choose to use wine that has been provided by the venue. Using the venue’s wine means that you will only be charged for what is consumed, so it may prove to be quite economical. Some venues allow you to set a cap on the number of bottles to be used. Before settling on a venue, be sure to enquire about their wine list. You should also ask if there is a sommelier on-staff at the venue who can help you with your choice. It is also a good idea to ask if the venue provides a complimentary wine tasting.

Bringing Your Own Wine

An increasing number of couples bring their own supply of wine. In doing this, you may be able to make significant savings on the cost per bottle. However, do be aware that the venue may charge a corkage fee to cover chilling/storing bottles in advance, staff serving the wine, use of the venue’s glassware, potential breakages, disposal of glass bottles and VAT. 

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Discover More About Wedding Wines

“Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.”  

– André Simon, French Gourmand

If you are planning your big day and need extra advice about how to choose the right wines, then you should take a look at the below infographic which comes from the team at Lakeshore Convention Centre. This handy guide goes over a number of topics so that you will have all the information you need to make the best decision.

Scroll down to the below infographic to learn more about choosing wine for your wedding today.