Wine Lovers
Robyn Moreno
Whether you’re a connoisseur or just want to add a splash of style to your nuptials, Napa Valley-based celebrity wedding planner Sasha Souza shares the hottest trends in wine that are guaranteed to add sparkle to any wedding.
Add variety to your varietals: The average person’s wine knowledge has increased significantly over the last decade, says Souza. The result: people are moving away from serving the standard Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and instead are experimenting with more esoteric grapes.
I’m now seeing hosts pour Zinfandels and Barberas for reds and Rieslings, and Viogniers for whites. Many caterers will be more than happy to set up a tasting or get some wine samples for you to try. If you’re wedding is more of an intimate affair, drop by your local wine store and pick up some bottles to taste at home.
Make them matter: A great way to celebrate and honor your heritage is to offer guests wines from your country. With great wines made around the world – from Malbec in Argentina to Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa, and even Kosher labels – it’s easier than ever to pick a wine that reflects your culture or birthplace. Many couples also serve wines that invoke memories of where they vacationed or got engaged. So, relive your summer trip to Provence and serve a Rosé from Domaine Sorin, or revive your vacation share in the Hamptons with merlot from the vineyards on the North Fork. You can look ahead to your honeymoon and serve Rioja if your making a Spanish sojourn, or a Shiraz from Australia if your planning an outback adventure.
Be consistent: ”Serving wine from cocktails to dessert is a very popular trend,” says Souza. Champagne is always a classic starter, and for a fun twist Souza suggests serving individual mini bottles of champagne, like Pommery Pops. For summer soirees, Souza suggests pairing the petite Pops with oysters for a chic, beachy feel. Also try serving oysters or crab cakes with sparkling wine from the North Fork or Fingerlakes region. Detail obsessed brides will love the adorable Sofia Blanc de Blanc individual sparkling wines from Coppola Estate (named after director Sofia Coppola). Served in pink soda cans replete with their own straws, their guaranteed to create a festive atmosphere.
And don’t neglect your after-dinner menu. Consider having a chocolate and port wine bar for dessert, where guests can sample a variety of ports, like ruby or tawny, with different kinds of chocolates.
Get into the act: ”Wine tastings are a great way to entertain your wedding guests,” says Souza. They’re a clever way to break the ice at the rehearsal dinner, and can work during cocktail and even dinner at the reception. Tastings are also very fashionable for bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Decorating magic
To help guests get in the mood for an upcoming wedding, Souza often sends splits of wine (375ml bottles) with the invitation. Half bottles are also a cute common staple in welcome baskets. Conversely huge magnums (1.5 liters) of wine or champagne add instant festivity to a fete. In addition to pouring from magnums during cocktail hour or the cake cutting, Souza recommends setting up a magnum at a table, so guests can sign their well wishes on it. This makes a great souvenir that can be enjoyed years later.
For unique table ideas, Souza likes creating centerpieces arranged with different bottles. ”It’s very country cool,” she says. She also likes decorating plain wood boxes with wine labels from a couple’s favorite vineyard. Nice stemware can also be wonderful table accents, says Souza. She suggests renting good glassware in varied shapes and sizes, even stemless. “Regardless of how you infuse wine into your wedding,” says Souza, “choose wine you love, and have fun!”