Posts Tagged ‘Wedding Beverages’
Popular in the US, Sauvignon Blanc may be a great choice for your wedding, as it is food friendly wine. It can be paired with appetizers; such, as artichoke dip, veggie dishes and dips, and garlic and Salads such as, Caesar and Greek. Also, Thai food, fish (all kinds of shellfish), poultry – and the list goes on.
Sauvignon Blanc, an acidic and dry white wine, normally shows an herbal character of bell peppers and freshly grown moss. The dominating flavors range from the sour green fruits of apples and pears through the tropical fruits of melon, mango and blackcurrant – dependent upon where it’s grown. Of French origin, Sauvignon Blanc is often blended with Semillon, which imparts richness and adds figs to the aroma.
Originally grown in the Loire region of France, there are good varieties all over the world. The best way to decided is to do a taste test. Make sure to choose varieties from New Zealand – as they make excellent Sauvignon Blanc wines..
Key producers to try…
Happy planning!
Let me start by saying that I do not know anything about beer. In fact, I do not even like beer – at all – and have no desire to learn about the different micro brews, etc. However, I do know what you need to look for when you are looking for eco friendly products. Also, beer is a very important libation – people love beer. So, here is an eco friendly post dedicated to all those beer lovers (not loathers), and all the couples who want to make their wedding eco-hip!
There are many ways to make a beer green. You can opt for environmental friendly draughts (made from certified organic products free of pesticides) to solar or wind powered breweries. It’s all good!
A few “green” beer drinking tips
- Buy bottles instead of cans. Recycling glass is easier and more environmentally friendly than aluminum
- Go with beers with paint-on instead of paper labels – as there is less waste
- Go with the local-yokels – if at all possible. Shipping produces fossil fuels
Here is a few brews from all around the country.
New Belgium Brewery – located on the west coast – the New Belgium Brewery has made great strides to be environmentally friendly in all aspects of its operations. They have been powered by wind since 1999 and even though this increased their overall costs, they prevented some 8 million pounds of coal being burned to power their business, which amounted to an astounding 15 million pounds of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. WOW! They harvest methane out of their waste water (instead of sending it through a treatment plant) which produces even more energy…and it goes on and on and on! Click on the link and take a look of the strides they have taken to help us live on a more healthy planet. Way to go!
Here are some more ideas…
You can find Peak Organic at your local Whole Foods Market
Happy planning!
The million dollar question – can wine and chocolate be paired? Some say no, and others say yes. You either love it or hate it. I do not like chocolate very much, but chocolate with an elegant wine and some candles sound so romantic. So, I’m going to say LOVE IT!
A 20 years aged tawny Porto with milk chocolate, milk chocolate with a caramel component, or coco dusted almond halves will put anyone in the mood!
Happy loving!
Characteristically, a pale yellow color with a greenish tinge, Chablis is one 
of the very nice white wines, produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes in the predominantly red wine Burgundy region. A real Chablis is very dry and imparts a brisk iodine freshness that’s perfect for summer picnics or oysters on the half shell. Citrus, green apple, pear and flowers make up its multiple aromas and flavors. Its zesty character is more like Champagne, due to the fact that both are both grown in the same rocky soil – proving that terroir really does matter.
In addition to Oysters, Chablis can be paired with with grilled Salmon, poultry, Veal, Lobster, other Shellfish, and rich spicy sausage – all in cream sauces.
Pay attention to the label, and they will tell you what level Chablis you’re buying.
Grand Cru vineyards- grapes grown in areas producing the best body and flavor
Premier Cru vineyards – just a step down from Grand Cru
William Fevre is the most popular brand, and produces many different variueties of wine.
You can get great Chablis, that’s not classified as Grand and Premier Crus, that is easier on the pocket book. Another option for a very nice, but inexpensive Chablis is from La Chablisienne
Very economical, but good, at less than $20.00 per bottle.
Some good resources about Chablis and Chablis region – France today, General Chablis wine information
Happy Planning
Chardonnay is one of the most well known and well loved wines on the market. Its resilient vines can can adapt to a variety of climates and soils, resulting in a very high yield worldwide. You can get a great bottle of chardonnay for under $20.00.
Chardonnays have a impressive range of flavors from the oak, buttery overtones to the apple, pear and citrus fruity flavors. Chardonnay will pair well with poultry, pork and seafood with rich buttery sauces, and the unoaked varieties with seafood, salads, grilled shrimp, Caribbean cuisine and curried dishes.
Make sure to serve this wine cold, as the taste will overpower the food if it’s served warm.
The only way to choose a chardonnay is to do a “taste test”. Buy a few varieties and see what suits the palette.
Here are a few suggestions
Happy planning!
I tell my clients that if you want to cut costs at your reception, the champagne toast should be the first to go. However, if you want to do it, it should be done right. The reason Champagne remains the benchmark for sparkling wines the world over is because no other location can mimic or rival the unique terroir of France’s Champagne region.
There are so many different brands – so how do you choose?
You cannot go wrong with Moet and Chandon or Veuve Cliquot. For those of you who like to flash the cash, then Louis Roederer’s Cristal is the choice for you.
If you really want to impress, you should serve Salon. This uber expensive fizz – about $500.00 a bottle, will impress even the most discerning palettes. Perhaps you should save this exclusive bubbly for your 10th, 15th or even 20th anniversary – since sightings are as rare as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Pay attention to the label! NV or non-vintage is often the “house champagne” – a mix of many grapes (chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier) without regard to local terrior or vintage. Ostentation aside, “the more expensive the better”, is correct when it comes to champagne. The most expensive bottlings from the big champagne houses contain a higher proportion of their best wines from grand cru and premier cru vineyards.
When buying champagne…
Brut is the driest – if you want a great champagne, get Brut
Extra-dry is less dry than Brut
Sec is sweet
Demi-sec is the sweetest – a great accompaniment to dessert
Happy planning
Cote du-Rhone-Villages A work horse appellation of southern Rhone. Many wines can be gotten for under $25-30. Most are meant to be drunk between 2-3 years after bottling.
Cote du Rhone- The main work horse of Southern Rhone. Many bottles can be gotten for less than $20. A true value.
Hermitage is the undisputed king of northern Rhone, producing big, lush tannic reds from primarily Syrah grapes. Hermitage wines are capable of aging well and can be quite pricey.
From Top to bottom Right…
Alain Vogue Dotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses – 100% Syrah grapes from the northern Rhone region. This wine is purple in color and has an intense flavor of ripe cherries. This wine is great paired with grilled meat and veal. Less than $20.00
Feraud-Brunel Cotes du Rhone Villages – Medium bodied from the south. It has an exotic mix of crushed blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruits. Great with heartier dishes like grilled steak and roast pork. Less than $20.00
Delas Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes – From the north, this wine has a deep garnet red color. Made from a region with a lot of Syrah grapes, that are aromatic, rich and full bodied, this wine is best paired with game, grilled meats and rich foods. 2007 between $20-30.00
Domaine de Mourchon Cotes du Rhone-Villages – From the south, this wine is a deep dark wine with rich and concentrated notes of raspberry and blackberry fruits on a spicy background. This wine is wonderfully paired with red meat, game and cheese. Less than $20.00
Information from The Wine Examiner
Happy planning!
I love signature drinks, especially during the summer months. Use something that pulls out your color and style of the wedding. Since I like simple, and I love orange – I chose this delectable Cosmo. So pretty.
Makes 2-five ounce drinks
2 ounces of orange scented Vodka
2 ounces blood-orange juice
2 ounces Cointreau
2 ounces orange juice
2 ounces of red or pink grapefruit juice
Zest of 1 blood orange
Happy Planning!
