The Ultimate Wedding Wine Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Planning your wedding is a monumental task, but one thing that doesn’t need to be overwhelming is choosing the right wine. With so many options to consider, it’s easy to feel a little stressed. But fear not—we’re here to make the process fun, personal, and, most importantly, celebratory!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the best wedding wine. We’ll cover how much wine to order (including some budget-friendly tips), which styles work best for different seasons and menus, and how to choose wines that reflect your taste as a couple. Plus, we’ll show you how La Crema’s expressive, food-friendly wines can make your celebration even more special, from their signature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to their effervescent sparkling selections.
Quick Tips for Choosing Wedding Wine
Here are the essentials every couple should know when selecting wedding wine:
- Offer a variety: Include at least one red, one white, and something bubbly to please every guest.
- Plan quantities wisely: Budget for about half a bottle per guest—more if wine is your primary beverage.
- Match the season: Choose light, crisp wines for summer celebrations; richer, robust wines for fall and winter.
- Pair thoughtfully: Consider your menu, but don’t overthink it. Balanced, versatile wines work beautifully.
- Choose wines you love: This is your special day, so select wines that reflect your personal taste.
- Stick with quality producers: Choose food-friendly varietals like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from established wineries like La Crema.
Why Wine Matters at Your Wedding
Your wedding wine is about more than just filling glasses. Wine is one of those details that brings everyone together, from embracing your guests with a festive welcome pour to elevating each bite of your carefully curated menu. And what would a wedding toast be without a glass of joyful bubbles? Wine is a subtle but central detail to making your big day your best day.
Most importantly, your wine choices reflect your hospitality and personal style as a couple. When you serve wines you genuinely love, it shows your guests that you’ve considered every detail. That thoughtfulness makes all the difference in creating a personalized and memorable wedding day.
How Much Wine Do You Need for Your Wedding Day?
One of the most common questions couples ask is, “How much wine should we order?” Here’s a simple rule of thumb: one bottle per two guests. Of course, you’ll want to adjust this based on your guest list, the time of day, and whether wine will be the main drink served. If your wedding is in the afternoon or you’re having a more intimate dinner, you might need fewer bottles. But if it’s an evening reception with lots of wine lovers, plan for more. Season plays a role as well—guests often drink more during cooler months.
When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to order a bit extra to avoid running out of wine mid-celebration. If you’re looking to buy wine in bulk for your wedding, many retailers offer case discounts that can help you save on larger orders. Some also offer return policies for unopened bottles, so ordering an extra case or two can provide peace of mind without breaking your budget.
Choosing the Right Wines for Your Wedding
The key to a successful wedding wine selection is offering variety while maintaining quality. Plan to serve at least one white, one red, and one sparkling wine to ensure every guest finds something they’ll enjoy.
La Crema is the perfect place to start when selecting balanced, food-friendly, and crowd-pleasing wines. Some excellent wedding wine choices include La Crema’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Brut Rosé. Chardonnay brings rich, balanced flavors that pair with a wide range of foods, while Pinot Noir offers elegant versatility that complements everything from salmon to poultry. For those special celebratory moments, Brut Rosé adds a festive touch that’s perfect for welcome pours and toasts.
Ready to dive in a bit deeper by style and variety?
The Best Red Wines for Weddings
Focus on the most popular red wine for weddings: varietals that offer broad appeal and food-friendly characteristics. Red wines should complement your menu without overwhelming it.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a fantastic choice for weddings because it is approachable, versatile, and refined. This varietal offers easy-sipping bright fruit flavors with subtle earthy notes that enhance and support a wide range of dishes, from grilled salmon and roasted chicken to vegetarian options. La Crema has an exciting collection of Pinot Noirs that offer the perfect balance of fruit and elegance.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon brings bold, structured flavors that work masterfully with heartier wedding fare, like beef tenderloin, lamb, and rich pasta dishes. Cabernet Sauvignon’s full-bodied nature makes it a superb choice for couples who want to offer a more robust red wine option. Consider serving La Crema’s Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, which is approachable yet complex with its dark red and blue fruit flavors that are enveloped in soft tannins and balanced by juicy acidity.
Shop La Crema’s Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Best White Wines for Weddings
White wines add brightness and freshness to your celebration, making them perfect for cocktail hours, lighter courses, and warm-weather weddings. Here are some top white wine picks:
Chardonnay
Chardonnay remains the gold standard for wedding white wines, and for good reason. With its creamy texture and bright citrus and apple flavors, it pairs with everything from seafood and chicken to creamy pastas. La Crema’s Chardonnays balance richness with freshness, making them crowd-pleasers that work from the first course through dessert. The wine’s natural ability to complement both simple and complex flavors makes it an ideal choice for wedding menus.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing, making it sublime for warm-weather weddings and lighter fare. This zesty white wine offers bright acidity and fresh fruit flavors that pair seamlessly with salads, seafood, and delicate appetizers. La Crema’s Sonoma County and Cougar Ridge Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc selections provide a perfect balance of brightness and sophistication that keeps guests refreshed throughout your celebration.
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris offers a delightful middle ground between the richness of Chardonnay and the crispness of Sauvignon Blanc. It pairs brilliantly with seafood, light pasta dishes, and Asian-inspired cuisine, making it an excellent choice for couples who want something a little different but still universally appealing.
Check out La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris.
The Best Sparkling Wines for Weddings
Nothing says celebration like sparkling wine! The magic of this effervescent gem lies in its versatility: It works beautifully as a welcome drink during cocktail hour, pairs exquisitely with appetizers and lighter courses, and of course, creates those magical toast moments that define wedding celebrations. La Crema’s sparkling selections offer elegance and approachability, ensuring your guests feel the celebration in every sip.
Shop La Crema’s Sparkling Wine.
How to Pair Wine with Your Wedding Menu
When pairing wine with your wedding menu, focus on balance. Lighter wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir match well with delicate dishes, while fuller-bodied wines like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are better suited to richer fare. Here are a few ideas:
- Pinot Noir is excellent with poultry, salmon, or mushroom dishes.
- Chardonnay is a superb partner for creamy pastas, seafood, or roasted chicken.
For some culinary inspiration, check out these La Crema recipes that are perfect for pairing with your wedding wine:
- Grilled Lamb Meatballs
- Pesto Pasta
- Braised Chicken Thighs with Olives, Lemon, and Thyme
- Grilled Romaine Salad with Avocado Dressing
- Baby Lettuce Salad with Goat Cheese and Strawberries
Wine Budgeting Tips for Your Big Day
When it comes to wedding wine, you don’t need to blow your budget to get great quality. Follow these tips to stay within your spending limits:
- Per-bottle cost
Wine prices will vary depending on the type, region, and producer. Expect to spend anywhere from $10 to $50 per bottle.- Value selections (great for large crowds): $15–$25 per bottle
- Premium options (excellent for the dinner table): $25–$40 per bottle
- Special or luxury bottles (perfect for head table or toasts): $40+ per bottle
- Splurge wisely
Consider splurging on special bottles for the head table or the sparkling toast.
- Buying by the case
When you order by the case (12 bottles), you can usually save 10–15% per bottle. Many retailers will also accept unopened bottles for return, so make sure to ask about their return policy. That way, you can order a bit extra so you don’t worry about running out of wine on your special day. - Balance your wine list
Choose reliable, value-driven wines for the majority of your service, then pop open a few memorable bottles for the wedding toast and other milestone moments. La Crema makes this easy with its portfolio of high-quality, affordable Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines that are known for their crowd-pleasing appeal.
When to Order and How to Store Your Wedding Wine
For a smooth and stress-free celebration, plan to order your wedding wine about one to two months in advance. This way, you will have plenty of time to secure your preferred selections and accommodate any potential shipping or availability delays. Pro-Tip: Before finalizing your order, don’t forget to double-check your venue’s corkage fees or alcohol service policies. Some venues may have restrictions on outside wine or require advance notice for serving specific brands.
Once your wine arrives, you’ll want to store it carefully to preserve its quality. Keep bottles in a cool, dark place—ideally between 45°F and 65°F—to avoid heat damage. Store them on their sides to keep the corks moist, which helps maintain the wine’s freshness until your big day. (Note: If the bottles are sealed with screw caps, it’s okay to keep them upright.)
La Crema wines are widely available through major retailers and also directly from the winery, making it easy to shop your favorites and enjoy a seamless ordering process. The estate team at La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard is here and excited to assist you with your wedding wine journey—from choosing your wines to ordering, fulfillment, and answering any questions you may have along the way. Feel free to call the team directly at 707-525-6200 or email them to get started.
Make Your Special Day Unforgettable with La Crema
As you plan your wedding wine selection, keep these key tips in mind:
- Offer a balanced variety of wines to please every palate.
- Match wine choices to your menu and the season.
- Plan quantities generously and order in advance.
- Use your wine list to reflect your unique style as a couple.
- Stick with trusted producers.
Choosing the right wine for your wedding is a personal, exciting journey. Whether you’re pouring a glass of chilled Chardonnay, sipping a refreshing Pinot Noir, or raising a toast with sparkling Brut Rosé, La Crema’s expressive and universally loved wines are the perfect addition to any wedding. Explore La Crema’s diverse portfolio to find both great values and extraordinary bottles for your celebration.
FAQs
How do I estimate how much wine my guests will drink?
A good rule is to plan for half a bottle per guest, or about one bottle for every two people. Adjust this amount upward if wine will be your main beverage.
Do I need to serve both red and white?
Yes. Offering both red and white wine is the best way to ensure that there’s something for each guest, especially if your guest list spans a variety of tastes or your menu includes diverse dishes.
Is it okay to skip sparkling wine for the toast?
Yes. While sparkling wine is a traditional and festive choice for toasts, it’s not an absolute must. You can always use a favorite white or rosé in its place. What matters most is sharing a meaningful moment with your loved ones.
Can I build a wine menu around my food?
Yes. In fact, that’s one of the best ways to create a harmonious dining experience. When pairing wine with your food, consider the weight of the dishes—lighter wines for delicate flavors (like seafood or poultry) and richer wines for hearty fare (like steak or creamy pasta). If you’re serving a variety of dishes, choosing versatile wines like Chardonnay or Pinot Noir can complement most wedding menus. You can also use La Crema’s food pairing suggestions to help you curate your perfect menu.
Should I worry about pairing wine with cake or dessert?
Don’t worry too much about pairing wine with dessert, but if you want to take it up a notch, consider offering a nice sparkling wine for a fun and celebratory touch with your wedding cake.
;){kind=link}
Comments