How to Drink Like One of My Wedding Guests: A Wine Guide
Enjoying a favorite at my wedding. Well they were all my favorites because it was my wine list.
My wedding has come and gone, and with it, the painstaking details that went into my all-time favorite wine tasting extravaganza to date.
I knew that if I was throwing the biggest party of my life, there’s no way it wouldn’t have my best wine list imaginable, full of my favorite varieties, wineries, and their perfect food pairings.
There were some limitations, of course. Such as, price. And also, availability. And, you know, wanting to serve things guests would enjoy and not forcing my random bottles on them.
So it ended up being a hybrid of wines I truly enjoy sharing with people, which were also available to me, and at a decent rate (for those in the industry IYKYK).
Some splurges, yes. Some great deals, yes. Some things I’ve never tried before but were similar to other things I’ve liked, yes.
All in all, it was a delightful 2-hour journey through my our favorite types of wine: Champagne & Rose, Pinot Noir, Juicy Mediterranean Reds, and Bold Reds.
I can’t gloss over the catering, either. Thank goodness for our passionate and patient catering team who enthusiastically took on my food/flavor suggestions and created a menu that far exceeded my expectations. If you’re in the Ventura area, they are Dining Under the Starrs and I highly recommend them. One of the top comments I got from many guests afterwards was how incredible the mac n’ cheese was, no joke.
So without further ado, here’s a modified guide to the tasting tables and pairings from my wedding’s cocktail hour wine tasting:
Table 1: Light & Bright
Joyful Wines For Sipping the Day Away
From fresh bubbles to layered rosé, this category celebrates joyful wines. They have lovely acidity and aromas for lighter meals — and even comfort food. And the only thing better than creamy mac ‘n cheese is an elegant wine pairing.
These refreshing and flavorful pours slice through creaminess like a hot knife. They’re ideal for rich foods like cheese, pasta, seafood, or fried chicken.
And just watch how they elevate smoky poblano and rich cheese flavors.
As you taste, try to picture…
Bright fruit notes of lemon, grapefruit, green apple, peaches, pineapple, flowers
High acidity and clean minerality
Food Pairing: Triple-Cheese Roasted Poblano Macaroni
Rich and creamy blend of three cheeses, with sweet smokiness from roasted poblano peppers.
What we tasted here:
Champagne: Jean Vesselle Oeil De Perdrix Brut
Unlike other Champagnes, this producer leaves the Pinot Noir skins on the juice to add color. This gives a distinctive Champagne with the soul of Pinot Noir and notes of red apples, mandarin, and white flowers, with delicate bubbles.
Champagne: Louis Roederer Collection 244
Made by the same Champagne House as the world-famous Cristal, this is an elegant champagne with beautiful floral aromatics, bright acidity, and rich flavors of pear and almond.
Champagne: Charles Heidsieck 'Brut Reserve'
A delicate bubbly that fills your mouth with rich and creamy notes of candied citrus, dried peaches, apricot, praline, and lemon, with a crisp finish.
Santa Barbara: 2021 Melville Estate Chardonnay
This wine envelops you like a gust of salty wind on the beach. Layers of crisp citrus, kumquat, pineapple, and peaches unfurl over your tongue, with refreshing acidity to wash it all down.
Sonoma: 2022 Flowers Rosé of Pinot Noir
Shining with joy, you can’t help but smile after sipping this wine. Delightful rose petals, grapefruit zest, and wild strawberries transport you to a breezy field on a perfect summer day.
Table 2: We Love Pinot
Elegant Wines That Reel You in For More
This category honors the alluring flavors of the Pinot Noir grape. Sometimes it’s misunderstood, but the most complicated things often are.
This delicate grape makes wines with refined elegance, but it masks a much deeper, darker complexity. The bright acidity boosts up signature cherry and spice flavors, followed by layers of earth and herbs.
Despite being a lighter red, Pinot Noir has powerful characteristics that elevate savory dishes like salmon, chicken, mushrooms, and even pizza or pasta. It’s also a delight with flavorful, spiced foods.
Flavors on the tip of your tongue…
Fruity layers of bing cherries, tart raspberries, ripe strawberries
Complex earthiness with mushrooms, violets, cloves, herbs, pepper and sea salt
Food Pairing: Spice Marinated Chicken Flatbread
Perfectly-marinated flavorful chicken shares the stage with smoked gouda, caramelized onion, and roma tomato ketchup.
What we tasted here:
Santa Barbara: 2021 Melville Pinot Noir Estate Santa Rita Hills
From a Santa Barbara favorite, this has elegant yet energetic acidity and freshness. Notes of cherry cola and raspberry race over your tongue, chased by earthy black tea and pepper notes.
Sonoma: 2022 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Take in flinty sea breezes and coastal evergreens of California’s North Coast with a sip of this delicious Pinot. Savory herbs, white pepper, cloves, and earthy sandalwood make a fascinating play of flavors.
Oregon: 2021 Lingua Franca ‘The Plow’ Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
From a favorite region, this vivacious wine begins with elegant perfume of roses and graphite, followed by earthy mushrooms and black tea, rounded out with fruity notes of cherry and silky tannins.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This was probably my favorite wine of the night. I love a good Oregon Pinot, and Lingua Franca always delivers. I was secretly glad we had a few bottles leftover for me to stash away.
Table 3: Mediterranean Mood
For Juicy, Laid-Back Evenings
These are wines for cooking up a fantastic meal, spending an evening wining and dining with friends and family. From Piedmont in Northern Italy — to Rioja in Spain — to the coast of Tuscany — they’re made for feasting.
There’s loads of acidity perfect for balancing saucy dishes, plus juicy flavors to pair with savory meat or veggies. Smooth tannins wrap it all up in a nice bow.
These food-friendly wines are fantastic pairings for pizza, pasta, hearty stews, and meat dishes.
Flavors to look for…
Juicy notes of sour cherries, strawberries, and raspberries
Layers of dried flowers, spices, chocolate, toffee, hazelnuts, pepper
Food Pairing: Flame Grilled Vegetable Farfalle
Smokey and flavorful, packed with flame grilled veggies, housemade marinara, and freshly grated parmesan.
What we tasted here:
Northern Italy: 2021 Poderi Colla 'Costa Bruna' Barbera d'Alba
This carries you to the rolling hills of Piedmont, Italy, on a beautiful bouquet of strawberries, cherries, and florals. With earthy spices and refreshing acidity, it's a food wine for sure.
Spain: 2018 La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Rioja Reserva
Intensely juicy, this wine is made from 100% Tempranillo, like many red Riojas. Savor elegant raspberry and hazelnut, leading into chocolate covered strawberries on the finish.
Central Italy: Villa di Corlo 'Rolfshark' Lambrusco
If you’ve never had Lambrusco, you’re welcome. This bubbly delight is Eric’s favorite. A little earthy, a little fruity, it’s refreshing and perfectly drinkable with mouthfuls of prosciutto or pizza.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This was hands down the most popular wine of the day. I can’t count how many people came up to us and raved about it, including my father-in-law who probably finished half the bottles. The only wine we ran out of.
Tuscany: 2020 Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva
From Italy’s iconic Tignanello estate comes this sleek and elegant Sangiovese blend, with signature Chianti Classico notes of ripe cherries, dark chocolate, and licorice.
Table 4: Bold Reds
Where Power Meets Beauty
Bigger isn’t always better. But you can’t go wrong when you have beauty and elegance to match it.
Big, bold flavors are a signature of California red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah. But don’t let the power blind you. These bottles stun with a beautiful balance of acidity, complexity, and nuance, with velvety tannins to carry them through.
Food-wise, you can go anywhere. They hold up to a slab of meat as well as a fine piece of cheese, making a great pairing for grilled steak and chicken, roasted veggies, tomato dishes, or mushroom pasta.
See if you can pick out…
Notes of violets, chocolate, pepper, herbs, leather, and oak
Ripe dark fruit notes like blueberries, blackberries, and plums
Powerful tannins carrying pepper, rich chocolate, caramel, toffee and dried herbs
Food Pairing: Crispy Chicken Slider
Decadently crispy chicken breast atop lemon aioli and a brioche bun, pickle to boot.
What we tasted here:
Malbec: 2021 Catena 'Vista Flores' Malbec, Mendoza
Coming from Malbec’s favorite home, this Argentina wine has bright acidity, smooth tannins, and explosive fruitiness. Beautiful layers of fresh berries, violets, and herbs will bring a grin to your face.
Merlot: 2021 Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley
Famous for its velvety tannins and lively acidity, Merlot is just pure opulence. Swaggering with layers of plum, chocolate covered cherry, pepper, and licorice, it goes down too easy.
Cabernet Sauvignon: 2021 Daou 'Reserve' Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
Be whisked away into a dark lounge, with chocolate truffle in one hand and blackberry pie in the other. Luxurious flavors of raspberry, tobacco, mocha, and clove expand across your palate; lean back and take it all in.
Zinfandel: 2021 Ridge 'Lytton Springs' Dry Creek Valley 750mL
Bursting with ripe fruit like blackberry and plum, balanced by licorice and cinnamon, held up with sharp acidity and bold tannins making it perfect for a hearty meal.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This wine was a personal favorite, and a favorite of my family’s.
Dessert Bar
Always Save Room For Dessert
We were lucky enough to share some truly spectacular sweets with our guests, from a favorite bakery in Ventura called Rabelais’ Bistro (If you’re in the area, I highly recommend them for brunch, dinner, or just a coffee and pastry). And with the perfect dessert wines — they’re just heavenly.
Dessert wines should be sipped with dessert foods. If you think that sounds like overkill, just trust and you’ll see.
Rabelais Lemon Tart
Paired with 2013 Disznoko Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos
Rabelais Brownie
Paired with Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port
Paired with 2017 Warres Vintage Port
Rabelais Avocado-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Paired with 2013 Disznoko Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos
Rabelais Wedding Cake: Chocolate & Vanilla
Pair Chocolate with 2017 Warres Vintage Port
Pair Vanilla with 2013 Disznoko Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos
And I can’t possibly forget my getting-ready wine:
2008 Dom Pérignon Chef de Cave Legacy Edition