Need Wine Suggestions

cbella

Hey ladies! I don't post often, I'm more of a lurker but I could really use your help. We need to purchase our own alcohal for our wedding reception of approx 175 guests. Our caterer gave us a list of the different types (and the amounts) of alcohal we should buy. Niether me or my fiance are big wine drinkers, so we know absolutely nothing about wine. The only wine I know, drink, and love is White Zinfandel. On the caterer's list is Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Merlot. Isn't Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio both white wines? If so, why should we offer 2 types of white wines and only one red? I know certain wines compliment certain foods, but we don't have our dinner menu picked out yet tho chicken, beef and fish/seafood dishes will most likely be offered. I would rather offer 1 red, 1 white and the White Zin blush. Doesn't that make more sense? But I don't know which type of white and red wine to choose?? I'm not looking for the most expensive bottles, but I don't want it to taste cheap either. How many/what types of wine are you offering at your wedding?? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!!      Christen             

danieliza1127

I think offering one red, one white, and one blush is a great idea.  It's actually pretty common.  The problem is, if they don't offer a blush, will they let you bring it in yourself or will they get it for you?Chardonnay is a drier white wine, Pinot Grigio is sweeter.  Personally, I prefer Pinot Grigio but I would drink either if only one or the other were offered.I really don't even remember what wines we had.  We had an open bar, so I'm sure there were a couple to choose from.

nda_roxybabe

[i]Isn't Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio both white wines?[/i] That should be aren't. Yes, they're both white but they have very different tastes...personally I would go with the pinot grigio.

amalama

Pinot Grigio is sweeter. Personally I drink either, but I am not that picky about my wine. Are you offering mixed drinks too? If you were only offering beer and wine I would be more inclined to think you should offer more variety if possible, otherwise I think you are good.

vicmo5

I think more people drink white wine than red.  Red can be intimidating.  Personally I'm a bigger fan of Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon than I am of Merlot.  You could skip the Pinot Grigio if you wanted as Chardonnay is sort of universal.Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? They give fabulous wine suggestions and tend to be economical.  Just don't go for the three buck Chuck.  Or Stagemanager suggested Blackbox wine to me a few weeks ago and it is excellent and inexpensive, but then you'd have to be okay with serving boxed wine.

lpstl

Most Chardonnays are oakie, and some people don't like that. A Pinot G is lighter and typically appeals to more palates. I'm a little confused, are you limited to what your caterer offers, or can you purchase from an outside vendor? If your choices are limits to the caterer, then I guess you don't need much advice on reds or a blush.We're winos and served Shaw at our wedding. Yes, 3 buck chuck. We would have had to pay at least 3 times that to meet Shaw quality, and it didn't make sense to waste the money.We served Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cab, and Shiraz.

ac_in_dc

Pinot G is a good crowd pleaser, and should appeal even to your white zin drinking friends. Lpstl's suggestions are good. Merlot is pretty drinkable but can be kind of heavy, it would be nice to have a brighter, fruitier red (like a cabernet) in addition.

mandapanda78

Personally I'm a bigger fan of Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon than I am of Merlot. vic, will you be my BFF? I heart me some Malbecs and Cabs. The bigger and bolder the better.

cbella

My caterer doesn't provide the liquor. We have to go out and purchase it. But they just gave us a list so we have an idea of what and how much to buy. Those are the 3 types of wine that they suggest. We are also offering beer and mixed drinks.

ac_in_dc

See, I love almost all kinds of wine, and I know that chardonnay is supposed to be universal, but I find it really difficult to drink. Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blancs are both easy whites to drink IMO.

crfische

Chardonnay tastes like skunk. It's one of the only boozies I don't care for. That and whiskey.

mandapanda78

I agree with you ac, Chardonay tends to be too acidic for me. I do love pinot and the right Sauvingon Blanc although generally I prefer reds in any situation.

vicmo5

Manda, I'd love to be your bff! We'll drink all sorts of delicious wine together! And it's even better in the cold weather.  I actually like Shaw, but it gives me a huge headache.

opalsky007

I agree with your caterer except for the Merlot--I hate Merlot, and think Cabernet or Shiraz would probably be more appreciated by your guests. I personally don't like blush and don't think it pairs well with many foods.

vicmo5

Chardonnay can be tricky, but once I find a good one it's really good.  I'm going to have to find some Pinot Grigio to try.  Anyone have suggestions?

mandapanda78

vic due to a previous professional relationship I have a major supply of Riedel glasses. The good ones, not those new cheapy cheap ones they make. I also still have quite a stock of wines from our Hawaii trip last year. What time can you come over?

danieliza1127

My caterer doesn't provide the liquor. We have to go out and purchase it.Oh well if that's the case, then yeah get a Pinot Grigio, a white zin, and a Cab Sav instead of Merlot.

ac_in_dc

I don't worry too much about labels when I drink pinot grigio. I find that most of it tastes very similar. It's kind of like budweiser or something.

lpstl

In that case, do not get Merlot if you are only serving one red. I'd do a cab, maybe a shiraz, ideally a Pinot Noir (but it's pretty hard to find a really tasty economical Pinot ... we didn't even do that for our wedding and that's in my top 5 varietals). If you are interested in going creative I can give you some more unique suggestions. I also second Trader Joes, but I don't second dismissing shaw just because of the price. If you're going to pay more make sure it tastes better and it's worth it, for us we  though Shaw tasted better than most $7-$8 bottles across the board (plus we had the wedding in a city where shaw isn't sold, so very few people had any idea how much it cost).I'll let someone else advise you on whites, reds are more my thing.

vicmo5

How long does it take to get to where you are from MN? I'll bring the cheese and olives. 

mandapanda78

cheese and olives! you really are my bff! I'm in DC so, better get moving. And bring your pug- she's adorable.

Pirata13

I'd definitely go with a Cabernet Savignon for the red. Not as dry as the Merlot.  I wish I could remember the one I have opened at home right now. It is sooo good.

EmmaBride2B

We offered a red, white, and blush. We didn't have too much choice in types, but if you do I'd go with a pinot grigio, cabernet sauvignon, and white zin. Pinot is a nice choice because it's sweet enough for those who like sweet wines, but for people like me that like wine that's a little more dry, it's not sickly sweet. Cabernet is pretty much a go to for anyone that likes red, and white zin is usually well liked by a few people that aren't even big wine drinkers. Chardonnay can be really oaky (if that's a word) and I just don't care for it. Just my two scents.

vicmo5

Haha! Okay, I'll bring her, but she's really more of a beer drinker. 

Bubbalub

I'm not a fan of Merlot, either. My cousin's husband is from Dijon, France and one of my favorite quotes from him is, "Ugh, Merlot. Merlot is like the Bud Light of red wine." Heh.Beaujolais is also a good red wine choice, a nice table wine. [link]http://www.cs.utexas.edu/~walter/wine/beaujolais.html[/link]I prefer Pinot Grigio to Chardonnay but my sister is the opposite. I don't know anyone who drinks blush except my grandmother, though I did recently try a nice blush champagne from Gloria Ferrer and it was delicious.

EmmaBride2B

Omg I cannot believe I just said scents instead of cents. I'm kind of mortified, but hey it's been a long week, that's my excuse.

eastunder1

I second (third? fifth?) the vote for a cab instead of merlot.  I rarely come across a merlot I really like.  Cab is more of an across the board crowd pleaser.  If it were me, I would do a second white instead of a blush.  I don't know anyone that drinks white Zinfandel.  Its more kind of regarded as a joke.   I would at least do much more red and white, and a smaller limited stock of zin.  I wouldn't do equal parts of the three because I wouldn't think there will be that much of a demand for it as the other two. 

vicmo5

Huh, I don't know anyone that actually drinks White Zin either.  I may be in the minority here, but I really dislike Sauvignon Blanc.

cbella

Wow! Thanks everybody! I did not expect to get this many replies. I think I'm ruling the Merlot and Chardonnay out and going with the Cabernet Savignon and Pinot Grigio. I know a few of you said that White Zin  isn't that great, but I'm the bride and I like it, so I'm going for it. Plus alot of my girlfriends drink it too so it wont be wasted. But it does sound like a good idea to get less of it and more of the white and red. Thanks again so much girls for all your help!!    

lpstl

Yeah, I'd nix the white zin too. That's maybe one step up from serving arbor mist or boones farm.

lpstl

Crap, I didn't see your last reply. If you like it go for it, screw what we think .