Hundreds, if not millions or thousands, of wine bottles and glasses, have witnessed families, couples, and groups celebrating life’s milestones.
Wines have always been popular on special occasions, particularly in wedding ceremonies, and it may be safe to say that they have never been not present on every couple’s guest lists. If anything, wine for weddings has already been a tradition for couples.
For instance, in Singapore, wedding guests usually raise a glass for a Yum Seng toast, honoring and cheering for the newlywed’s happy union and blessing them with a blissful and successful marriage.
Other countries also have their versions of incorporating the best wines for weddings, but the most essential thing to know about this tradition is that, at its core, wedding wines signify the couple’s shared happiness and commitment.
But beyond taste and tradition, serving the finest wines and champagnes demonstrates thoughtfulness and attention to detail, enhancing the wedding experience and ensuring guests feel appreciated and cherished.
Indeed, the entire wedding planning is meticulous enough, but we’ll lift a bit of weight on your shoulders and help you choose the best wines for your wedding through this guide. Read up and learn more.
Understanding Champagne and Wine Basics
Choosing the best wines for weddings requires understanding the basics of this beverage type first. From here, you’ll be able to grasp each of their characteristics and select ones that can harmonise with your tastes, personalities as a couple, and the overall atmosphere you want for this special day. Wines and champagnes are usually served at weddings, each highlighting their strengths.
Champagne adds an elegant touch to the occasion
Champagne pairs well with food, too. But one of its best features on wedding days is the elegance it brings to the table.
Commonly known as a celebratory drink, champagnes are sparkling wines made in the Champagne region from France–hence their name–and have a signature fizz and bubbly quality that sets them apart. Serving champagne for a wedding matches the occasion’s festive spirit. The drink is also classic and palate-cleansing.
Red, White, and Rosé Wines for a delightful culinary experience
Pairing food with wine improves and enriches tastes and flavours, and what other way can you make your guests happy than by serving them an exceptional and memorable dining experience?
Wines offer a broad range of flavours and styles, catering to different tastes. Some of the wine types you can explore are:
- Red wines: Winemakers create this type of wine by fermenting the juice of dark-skinned grapes. It gets its colour from red or purple colour from grape skins, imparting flavours and textures. Some examples include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, etc.
- White wines: Compared to red wines, white wines are made by fermenting mashed white grapes. Winemakers also use dark-coloured grapes but remove the skin, pulp, and seeds so the wine doesn’t become dark in colour. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are some of its most common examples.
- Rosé wines: This wine type stands in the middle of whites and reds, with the red grape skins touching the wine for only a short time. Some red wines can take a week of fermentation on red grape skins, but rose wines are stained only for a few hours. Some examples are Pinot Noir Rose, White Zinfandel Rosé, Syrah Rosé, etc.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Wedding Wines
Soon-to-be-wedded couples can quickly determine the best wines for weddings by considering the following factors:
- Guest preferences: Not only should you consider your wine preferences as a couple. But you must also take note of the tastes and wants of the attendees with whom you share this special occasion. This is a gesture of hospitality and appreciation for their presence.
- Seasonal considerations: What season are you going to tie the knot in? Usually, if it’s in the summer, whites and lighter wines can offer a refreshing experience on the palate. Red wines can be a good choice for a heartier experience during cold and rainy days.
- Budget: Consider budget range when selecting the best wines for weddings. Define a clear budget to prioritise and allocate funds appropriately. Attend wine tastings and talk with wine enthusiasts for a white, sparkling, and red wine guide. Check for stores selling premium, quality wines offering bulk discounts.
How to Pair Wines with Wedding Menus?
When it comes to food pairing, here are some quick guidelines according to different courses.
For Appetizers
It may be ideal not to serve wine that is not too heavy so they won’t feel full for the main course. Some examples:
- Champagne with appetizers like fried foods, sushi, or cured meats
- Sparkling wines with grilled vegetables to bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables
For Main Courses
Consider and understand red wine styles (light, medium, and full-bodied) to ensure that the wedding wines complement your main courses. Light-bodied wines go best with lighter dishes, and full-bodied ones are perfect for comforting and creamy meals. Some examples:
- A wine pairing in Singapore–Riesling and Laksa or Satay and red wines
- Light red wines with pasta, cheese, and fish, and bold red wines with pork, beef, steak
- White wine with shellfish, chicken, turkey, seafood
For Desserts
Wines and desserts should not overpower each other. It’s about achieving the perfect balance of sweetness and flavours and complementing dessert and wine characteristics. Some examples:
- New Zealand Sauvignon Blank with White Chocolate
- Red wine and dark chocolate
- Sherry for pastries and custards
- Muscat for fruit-based desserts and ice cream
Calculating Wine and Champagne Quantities
One of the difficult questions to ask during wedding preparations is, ” How many wine and champagne bottles should we buy?” Well, there are several considerations for this, with the primary ones being:
(1) How many guests are there?
(2) How many hours is the reception?
(3) Are your guests light or heavy drinkers? Or somewhere in between?
To make estimates simpler and easier, here’s an alcohol calculator.
However, remember that even though this calculator presents an ideal calculation of the wine and champagne quantities for your wedding, it would be wise to add a little extra to accommodate unexpected needs.
You never know if your guests will enjoy a particular wine more than anticipated or if the celebration extends beyond the planned timeline.
Serving Tips and Presentation
To maximise the entire event experience, here are some quick pieces of advice for presenting and serving the best wines for weddings:
- Serve wine at the right temperature: You must not serve your wines too warm or cold. Ensure enjoyable tasting by pouring glasses with wines at the right temperature. For example, champagne and sparkling wines at 8 to 10 °C or red wines with medium or high alcohol content at 14 to 16 °C.
- Use an elegant serving tray and coasters: Elevate the presentation by serving wines on a stylish tray that complements your wedding theme. Coasters can prevent any accidental spills and add a touch of sophistication to each serving.
- Serve using a genuine wine glass: Opt for proper wine glasses that enhance the aromas and flavours of each wine varietal.
To Bring Your Own Wine or Trust Caterer-Provided Options?
For your wedding wine-supplying options, you can either order and get a supplier of your own or count on caterer-provided options. When deciding, consider your budget and priorities–both are huge aspects that need to be considered. To make deciding easier, we’ve laid out each of their advantages and disadvantages.
Supplying your own wine
Pros
- Champagne and wines can be cheaper because caterers typically mark up their prices. Supplying your own wines allows you to be further in control of the budget.
- The wine options are unlimited. You can freely explore, attend wine tastings, and consult with wine enthusiasts along the way to have a better wine or champagne experience.
- You have better access to discounts, giving you more resources and excess room for your wedding budget.
Cons
- It can be inconvenient and time-consuming.
- You’ll also need to consider wine setup and delivery, which can add stress to your wedding day.
Procuring through a caterer
Pros
- Relying on caterers to supply your wedding wines saves you time, allowing you to focus on other wedding priorities.
- They can handle a more professional presentation of the wines, enhancing the overall experience for your guests.
- It offers convenience in ordering and transporting the wine to the venue–the caterer handles it all!
Cons
- It can be more pricey.
- Wine options are only limited to what the caterer provides.
Raise Your Wedding Glass with Crystal Wines!
Similar to the thorough process of wedding preparations, choosing the best wines for weddings involves several considerations.
Soon-to-be-weds should first learn about the basics, set a clear budget, identify preferences, consider wine and food pairing, calculate how many bottles and cases they must buy, and then presentably serve them to the guests.
At the heart of these factors and considerations is the idea of serving quality and the best wines for weddings.
Crystal Wines provides premium wines, ensuring you and your guests will have a memorable event experience. For us, weddings are beautiful occasions, and every couple should ensure the best toast and overall dining experience for everyone.
Whether you’re envisioning a classic champagne toast or a delightful selection of wines for a summer wedding celebration, Crystal Wines offers a diverse collection of wedding wines in Singapore to suit every palate and occasion. We also conduct wine-tasting events, allowing you to explore different wine options.