Think of your wedding reception as the ultimate dinner party. One way to enhance your guests' gustatory experience is to pay special attention to the wine you select for the occasion. Work with your caterer or banquet manager to choose good labels. (If the venue you've booked requires you to 'bring in' your own booze, the proprietor of your local wine store can guide you in the selection process.) But before you begin, be sure to consider these tips:
1. Stay within your budget . Limit your choices to one type of white, one type of red and a champagne or sparkling wine for the toast. Many quality wines sell for well under $15 a bottle. French champagne is pricey (even the least expensive ones range from $25 to $30 per bottle), so consider an affordable sparkling wine instead. Try cava (from Spain) and prosecco (from Italy). many of these tasty sparklers cost as little as $8 per bottle.
2. Start sipping now. How do you know which wines to pick? Many local liquor stores host free tastings, which are a great way to sample and learn about different varietals. When it comes to making a final decision, keep your guests' tastes in mind. Chardonnay and merlot are the safest choices, because they're what most people know. Sara Richelson, wine director at The Greene Grape, a Brooklyn, New York, wine store, suggests a more creative strategy. 'A crisp, clean white with a bit of fruit, like a sauvignon blanc, is always a crowd-pleaser,' she says. 'And lots of our couples are plac...
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