The Savvy Bride - Wedding Planning & Tips » Wedding Food & Drinks

The big decision: Choosing wine for your wedding

Jennifer — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:53:52 +0000

(NC)-You’ve got the groom, the dress and the church. But do you have the wine?

Although the rush of summer weddings seems months away (especially for anxious brides counting down the days), personally-made wine needs time to age before it’s enjoyed, so it’s never too soon to get started.

Wine kits are available featuring grape varieties from around the world. How to choose? First, consult with the winemaker at your local wine store (find a wine store in your neighbourhood at www.rjspagnols.com). Next, select the wine that’s right for you by asking yourself these four questions:

. What’s our budget? Standard wine kits (which yield 30 bottles each) range in price from $80 to $200.

. What do we like to drink? Like all elements of your wedding, your wine should reflect you as a couple. You can make wine in an endless number of varieties, from Amarone to Zinfandel – choose a personal favourite to serve on your special day.

. What time of the year is it? For the summer months, consider a crisp white, like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from RJ Spagnols’ En Primeur Collection. For a fall wedding, why not try a ruby red Australian Cabernet Shiraz Merlot from RJ Spagnols’ Cru Select line – both are award-winning wines, so you’re sure to please your guests.

. Do we want our wine to symbolize anything? Maybe you met under the Tuscan sun, or got engaged on a trip Down Under. To commemorate those memories at your wedding, why not make a wine from one of the great wine regions of the world?

Once you’ve made your selection, work with your wine store winemaker to get the kit started. In just a few weeks, you’ll be taking the wine home to age, serve and enjoy.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Say “I do” to making wedding wine

Jennifer — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:52:20 +0000

(NC)-Although June may be the busiest month for weddings, January is one of the busiest for wedding planning. Brides across the country are selecting invitations, attending dress fittings and auditioning DJs.

One thing to add to that list? Making wedding wine – to ensure it has enough time to age! Now’s the time to get wine started for summer celebrations. Make great-tasting wine for your wedding in three simple steps:

One: Getting Started

Visit your local wine store (find a complete list at www.rjspagnols.com) to choose the type of wine you want to serve and determine how many kits to make (a standard kit ranges in price from $80 to $200 and yields 30 bottles).

During this firstvisit, the winemaker will start the kit, and you’ll kick off the fermentation by adding the yeast to the wine.

Then you leave the wine at the store for four to six weeks, during which time the wine ferments and is cleared and filtered. Meanwhile, you can focus on the rest of the items on your wedding to-do list.

Two: Bottling

When you return to the store for bottling, you’ll get to sample the wine, sanitize and fill the bottles, then cork and label the wine. With so many bottles to fill, it’s a great excuse to get the bridal party together to pitch in and have some fun!

Bottling is the time to put your mark on your wedding wine with custom labels and a personalized colour scheme.

Three: The Waiting Period

All you need to do now is wait. To ensure the best flavour, all wine will require a short aging period at home. Ageing time will vary, but red wines generally need longer than white wines to develop their true flavour.

Finally, on the big day, all you have to do is sit back, sip and enjoy. Cheers!

Credit: www.newscanada.com