Wedding Wine Guide Q&A with Sarah Knowles part two!
Sarah Knowles MW joined The Wine Society in March 2014 and passed her Masters of Wine qualification in 2015. She is responsible for Champagne, North America and Italy, as well as overseeing the portfolio of sparkling wines and spirits; so, there really is no better person to be advising you and answering all of your wedding questions? Red or white for a meat course? Wine or Champagne for your wedding toast? Here's part two, of the three-part guide...
Which styles of wine would you recommend pairing with each part of the day? To start with there is no right and wrong as to what to drink when, and with what at your own wedding. If you love red wine with fish, then do it, its your day. However here are a few tips that helped me at my wedding:
Don't forget a few bottles of good Champagne to sip on the morning of the big day and of course for any photos!
We then had Champagne (and cups of tea) served immediately after the vows which really set the pace for the afternoon.
As we had the photos, and guests waited for the wedding breakfast, we had Champagne, white wine and G+Ts available, along with plenty of chilled water and flavours of San Pellegrino available for those not drinking. We also made our speeches and had the various toasts before the food – and while most guests still had their flutes in hand.
At the 'breakfast' we had two whites - a super fresh Loire Sauvignon and a richer Kiwi Chardonnay - along with two reds - a juicy Southern Rhône option and a more structured Rioja Reserva - open on the tables with a little tasting menu that I printed so that guests could help themselves to the one they fancied or to all four over the course of the meal.
After the meal, we had a fuller Argentinian red and a crisp Italian white at the bar along with any leftover fizz from earlier and a keg of local golden ale, which all went well with the evening bacon baps!
We also had two areas set out with our favourite food and wine pairings – an Old Fashioned with jam doughnuts, and Port and cheese.
Throughout the day we had tea and coffee also available, as many of my family would really rather a cuppa than most other options(!), but I also tucked away a particularly special whisky for my husband and his friends as a surprise at the end of the night.
Really, my best advice would be to think of the various sections of your wedding, and not be scared to change the drinks as you go, to create different moods for your guests. You are in charge of the day, and generally your friends and family want to get involved in the whole day and if wines and drinks are as important to you, as they are to me, you can entertain your guests using them throughout the day.
Also don't feel the pressure to offer a full bar if you are unable to use the venue's own. Limiting the choices to those that you like, so long as there is a good range of soft options, is fine for your big day.
Would you recommend serving Champagne or sparkling? I would definitely advise including a fizz on your big day as nothing says celebration quite so much as sparkling wine. If your budget allows, there is no getting away from it, Champagne is delicious. However, it's not the be all and end all, if you have a large guest list or are working to a tighter budget there are some fantastic sparkling wines available.
Prosecco has just had a brilliant vintage and the wines are singing. French Crémant can offer a Champagne-like sophisticated style, and Cava shouldn't be forgotten as an example like The Society's Cava arguably offers the best value of any fizz.What ever you chose to serve, try to make sure the venue really chills it down before serving as so often this is really the difference between weddings where a warm toast – however good the wine – can be a little disappointing...
How do you decide what matches well with the food you're serving? There are lots of theories when matching wine with food and some great advice online including our own site. However, if you have some personal favourites, go with that, its your day. If not, though, when tasting your wine options at home, perhaps think of cooking the main ingredient from your menu to pair alongside – see what you think works best. If looking for bespoke professional advice, our showroom team will also have great recommendations if you share your menu with them ahead of the tasting.
The other simple advice is often to pair food with wines from the same region so if you're having duck, think south west France for example.
Divided down the aisle: The UK’s feelings on the most controversial wedding choices uncovered
Weddings bring with them lots of excitement, joy and happiness, but couples also often face the added challenge of trying to balance their personal wishes and preferences with the opinions of their guests. From who qualifies for a plus one to how much to spend on an engagement ring, new research conducted by Pandora UK has uncovered the nation's true feelings about the most divisive wedding decisions¹. Pandora has also enlisted wedding expert and events director at The Post Barn, Daisy Bradley to share advice on the best ways to handle tricky decisions with guests.
READ ARTICLE
The “2 dinners a week” rule that could transform your love life, according to expert
Google searches for 'emotional connection' are up 78% over the past month, while searches for 'relationship advice' are up 54%, showing that many are struggling and searching for ways to strengthen their bond with their significant other. Interiors brand Oak&More have spoken exclusively with award-winning sex and relationship expert Gemma Nice to find out why eating at the table a couple of nights a week can strengthen, or maybe save, your relationship.
READ ARTICLE
Stress-Free Wedding Plan: Affording Your Big Day Without Breaking the Bank
Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, said: "Money plays a really important role in our lives, helping us prepare for major life moments such as weddings or other special occasions. While it enables us to create meaningful experiences, it can also become a source of stress when facing the costs that come with them. Taking the time to understand what things may cost is the first step when saving for your big day. This awareness can help you make informed decisions, whether that's setting a realistic wedding budget, building a dedicated savings plan, or seeking support to bring your dream day to life."
READ ARTICLE
Women want a personal engagement ring not an expensive one
New research suggests a shift in how women approach one of the most traditional luxury jewellery purchases, with 75% saying they want an engagement ring to prioritise personal meaning over size or value. A study of 1,353 UK women carried out by 77 Diamonds* found that 75% say they would prioritise a personalised engagement ring over a larger or more expensive diamond. What seems to stand out is not a complete rejection of convention, but rather a rebalancing and reassessment of value. 59% of women say their preference still leans towards traditional ready-made ring designs, and only 11% want an entirely custom-made piece But the emotional drive behind preferences and purchasing decisions does appear to be changing with 30% expressing a desire for rings that carry additional meaning through small modifications, engravings or design adjustments.
