weddingcocktails

date posted: April 22, 2015

Guide To

WINE, BEER,
& COCKTAILS

YOU'VE SET YOUR DATE, found your site, picked the caterer, sent the invitations, ordered the flowers, and selected a photographer. You're all set. Not quite.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: When and where will the wedding be held? For example, an afternoon outdoor wedding may have guests asking for more cocktails, while an evening dinner reception might have guests asking for more wine.
Will there be a champagne toast?
Will you want a signature cocktail?
Know your budget and the number of guests that will be attending.
Will there be a theme for your party? This could even be a color theme.
Will it be a sit-down event, or will guests be walking around?
Will you have beverage service, or will there be beverage stations?

QUESTIONS TO ASK: Will you deliver the day of the event? Is there a charge for this? Will the wines be chilled? Do you provide ice?
Will you need a deposit for the order? Or full payment up front?
Can we try the wines before we buy them?
Should there be multiple types of red and white wine or just one of each?
Will there be a special price because of the quantity we are ordering?
If there are extra bottles, will you take them back?

The Essential Guide to

WEDDING WINE & SPIRITS
by Tim Sweeney of Stone Ridge Wine & Liquors

For centuries, the gathering of people has been marked by the celebration of families and friends through food and drink, which is also the single largest expense at most events. However, planning ahead will ensure that your guests are satisfied and that you keep within your budget.

FOR 100 GUESTS, THE FOLLOWING
QUANTITIES SHOULD APPLY FOR COCKTAILS Beer: 3 cases (bottles not cans)
Vodka: 6 one-liter bottles
Gin: 3 one-liter bottles
Scotch: 3 one-liter bottles
Light rum: 2 one-liter bottles
Blended whiskey: 1-2 one-liter bottles
Bourbon: 3 one-liter bottles
Tequila: 1-2 one-liter bottles
White wine: 1.5 cases (18 bottles)
Red wine: 1.5 cases (18 bottles)
Dry vermouth: 1 one-liter bottles
Sweet vermouth: 2 one-liter bottles
FOR THE CHAMPAGNE TOAST Champagne or sparkling wine: 1.5 cases (18 bottles). If you want to serve champagne
during the cocktail hour, you will need six
additional bottles.
FOR DINNER WINES
Red wine: 2 cases (24 bottles)
White wine: 2 cases (24 bottles)

FOR THE COCKTAIL HOUR, it's important that people do not wait in long lines to be served. There should be more than one bar, staffed with at least two bartenders each. An open bar is traditional and most courteous to your guests. You want people to relax and feel welcome at your event. Wines for the cocktail hour should be light and refreshing. Whites can range from pinot grigio, California sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, French Sancerre, New Zealand sauvignon blanc, or even dry rosé. Great values can be found in specific regions, such as the French Touraine and Bordeaux. During the cocktail hour, try to stay away from heavy whites, such as chardonnay and Viognier. These are big and full-bodied white wines that tend to overpower certain foods. Red wines from Beaujolais, the Southern Rhone, Sardinia, and basic burgundies work well with hors d'oeuvres. These wines are made from gamay, grenache, and pinot noir grapes. They are all characterized by forward fruit with light-to-medium body. If you choose to serve champagne/sparkling wine for cocktails, good suggestions are French Blanc de Blanc, Italian prosecco, or Spanish Cava. These are light sparklers with a little more fruit (not sweet) that tend to fit many different palates.

FOR A CHAMPAGNE TOAST, there are many options. If the bride and groom are real champagne lovers, it is perfectly acceptable to have a high-quality champagne served at their table. We would suggest a nice French sparkler or prosecco for the toast itself. You will find that many guests sip and toast with what is offered but never finish their glass. It is simply a waste of money to serve real French champagne at $25 - $50 per bottle. Three great sparkling values are Segura Viedus, Paul Cheneau, or Bellusi prosecco. These are all between $8 - $15 per bottle and are made méthode champanoise. You can source other great value sparklers from Southern France, Spain, Italy, and Australia all between $8- $15 per bottle. There are very high-quality domestic sparklers, such as Chandon, Piper Sonoma, Gruet and Roederer Estate Anderson Valley. These range from $15 - $30 per bottle. Real French champagne starts at $30 per bottle and proceeds upward. Good values for around $30 are Paul Laurent, Charbeau, and Duval Leroy.

DINNER WINES should absolutely match the foods you are serving. If a smoked fish entrée is offered, choices could be a rich buttery California chardonnay or an even better Gewurztraminer. If beef tenderloin is the choice, a California cabernet, French Bordeaux, or Australian shiraz matches well. Broiled fish with a saffron cream sauce compliments white burgundy or a rich Viognier. Nothing goes better with grilled meats than big, fruit forward California zinfandel. Chateauneuf du Pape or California Rhone Rangers are ideal with duck or pheasant. In today's market, wine selections can hit any price point. Expensive doesn't always mean better. It is a good idea to sample wines with your menu tasting.

AFTER DINNER DRINKS can be a nice touch but are not required nor frequently done. If you want to offer a selection of after dinner cordials, cognac, single malt scotch, or port, consider aged tawny port, Highland or Islay style single-malt scotch, small-batch bourbons, cognac, amaretto, or Frangelica.

LOGICSTICS TO CONSIDER: Setups for the bar, limes, lemons, ice, straws, cocktail napkins, etc. are generally provided by the caterer. However, don't assume this; confirm all details with the caterer. Soft drinks, mixers, and juice are generally provided by the caterer. Beer cannot be provided by wine & spirit stores, pursuant to New York State law. Find out if delivery is available to your event location. You will have enough going on the week of your event without having to pick up wine and spirits.

Enjoy your day, bon
appétite, and cheers!