ENGLISH WINE FOR YOUR WEDDING: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
If you’re planning a wedding in the UK, you may be starting to think about the wine that you’ll serve on your big day. In my opinion, this has to be the best bit of planning a wedding.
Good wine and great food are a huge part of any get-together. For me, this is what I remember most from weddings that I’ve attended – as well as the happy couple of course!
Here’s everything you need to know about selecting the ideal English wines for your wedding celebrations.
With the rise of exceptional vineyards dotting the landscapes of England, there’s never been a better time to showcase local, exquisite wines on your special day.
Having English wine at your wedding, is the ultimate show of patriotism – an opportunity to support local producers in your area. I’m not suggesting that every bride and groom need to think about “impressing” their guests, after all, your loved ones are there to see you get married. But, it should be noted that having some English wine at your wedding, may pique the interest of some of your more discerning guests.
The other reason that you may want to consider showcasing English wine at your wedding, is that you and your husband/wife to be will have an excellent excuse to visit local vineyards, sampling the wine on offer. If you have a long engagement, this can be a really fun way to enjoy the planning process together. You could also get friends and family involved to help you select your wine.
The big downside to picking English wine for your wedding, is the cost. English wine is still pretty expensive, even though there are some cheaper supermarket-brand options. The less expensive English sparkling wine retails at around £25 – with more premium brands costing around £50. Whereas still wine will cost between £12 and £30 approximately.
If budget is important, but you still want to include English wine in your wedding, you could consider offering English sparkling for the arrival drink (but not for the toast), or you could opt for an English dessert wine to accompany your pudding course.
Typically, wedding planners advise that you should budget for each guest consuming about half a bottle of wine throughout the event. This means you’ll need approximately one bottle for every two guests.
That said, it’s important to consider the guests that you know and love. If you have a quite boozy crowd, you might want to up the plan a bit – allow two thirds of a bottle of wine per person.
In terms of the ratio of white to red – a good rule of thumb is two thirds white and one third red. That said, you will want to consider the food you are serving, if you have red meat, then guests may switch up to red. The weather will also play a part, hot weather means that guests will drink more white, or even rose if you offer it.
You will also need sparkling wine for the arrival drink and the toast. This equates to two glasses per person, so one bottle of sparkling wine for every three guests.
Best sparkling wine for your wedding
England’s sparkling wines are perfect for toasts. They are typically made in the traditional method (the same method used in Champagne), which gives them elegance and finesse. Here are three of the best English sparkling wines for a toast and welcome drink at your wedding.
English white wines are known for their aromatic qualities and crisp acidity, making them excellent for pairing with wedding cuisine. Varieties like Bacchus or Chardonnay would be versatile matches for most food.
A quick word on Chardonnay – if you hear chardonnay, you might think of heavy oaky wines, but actually English chardonnays are totally different. Find out more here.
Here are some suggestions for English wine for your wedding day.
1/ Chapel Down – Bacchus : winner of a Silver GB wine award. A versatile & crisp white wine, suitable to match even the lightest of dishes.
2/ Albourne Estate – Bacchus: A wine made in West Sussex, the Albourne Estate Bacchus is complex, with herbal, zesty and fruit notes. This would pair well with seafood, light cheese or salad.
3/ Balfour Hush Heath – Springfield Chardonnay: On my last visit to Balfour, I fell in love with this wine. It was just like that scene in Love Actually – to me you are perfect. The Springfield Chardonnay is lightly oaked, but this doesn’t overpower. It is fruity, complex and very smooth. This pairs well with fish or chicken.
Best English red wine for your wedding
While less common, English red wines like Pinot Noir can be a delightful accompaniment to meatier dishes. Pinot Noir is a soft, subtle red wine, ideal when the weather is warmer. It also won’t overpower your guests, or leave them wanting a nap!
Here are some suggestions for English wine for your wedding day.
1/ Lyme Bay Winery – Pinot Noir: A light pinot noir wine, with notes of cherry & berry, and a touch of oak. Made by Lyme Bay Winery in Devon.
2/ Sharpham Vineyard – Pinot Noir: This is a delight of a bottle, which promises fruit and a hint of violet. At 12%, this is a light wine, which will not overpower hearty veggie dishes.
3/ Ashling Park Estate – Pinot Noir: This wine is silky, smokey and super smooth, with hints of red berry. Everything you’d expect from a Pinot Noir. Made by a vineyard in West Sussex, this would be an excellent pairing for anything with spice, or light red meat dishes.
Best English dessert wine for your wedding
It may seem old fashioned, but a dessert wine can be a wonderful surprise at a wedding. For dessert, consider an English dessert wine. Options like the Denbie’s Noble Harvest can offer a sweet, luscious finish to your wedding meal, pairing beautifully with wedding cakes, sweet treats, or even cheese.
If possible, arrange a tasting session either at the vineyard or with a wine merchant. This is not only an enjoyable part of the wedding planning process but also ensures that the wines will meet your expectations and suit your menu. For more fun, get friends and family involved!
Many English vineyards offer direct purchases, which can include discounts on bulk buys for events like weddings. Additionally, consider visiting local wine merchants who specialize in English wines; they can often provide valuable advice on food pairings and might offer tasting sessions.
Where to next?
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