Photography: Tamiz Photography
More than the personalized escort cards, hand-embroidered wedding gown, and other details of your wedding day, what guests will remember the most is actually having a great time while celebrating your union. Therefore, choosing the right menu and wine pairing is one of the most important things in planning a wedding.
Choosing wedding wines can be tricky, however, so we'd like to give you a helping hand. As we're far from sommeliers ourselves, we asked the folks at Barworks Wine & Spirits to share their expertise. Established in 2000, the company offers an extensive range of high quality wines that won't break the bank. It's also one of the largest wedding wine suppliers in Singapore, so we couldn't ask for a better wine expert!
First things first, decide on the type of wine you want to serve. Contrary to what you may think, less is more when it comes to wedding wine options. "Too many choices can confuse your guests. Simply choose one red and one white wine that will pair well with your menu, and serve those throughout the banquet," said Ms. Irene Tan from Barworks Wine & Spirits.
When your reception is held also determines how much red and white wine should be served. "For a wedding dinner, it is best to have 70% red wine and 30% white wine. Meanwhile, 60% red wine with 40% white wine will be a better proportion for wedding luncheons," explained Ms. Tan. Now that you've got the basics sorted out, it's time to choose your wines.
Cocktail hour
This is the time for your guests to mingle and enjoy tasty bits of hors d'oeuvre as you take family photos and get prepared for the reception. Therefore, the wine you serve should be enjoyable and light enough to not get your guests drunk before the banquet starts.
Santero 1958 – Moscato
Pair the sweetness and lower alcohol level of Moscato with sumptuous cocktail hour appetizers, such as a fresh crudité platter served with a variety of cheese.
Santero 1958 – Moscato Rose
This is the perfect summertime drink. Moscato Rose suits light salads and raw or lightly cooked seafood. It even goes well with fruits and dessert!
Western banquet
It shouldn't be too much difficult to pair wines with a Western wedding menu. However, there are so many dishes to choose from, each with different characteristics. For the best results, choose a suitable wine after you've finalized your wedding menu.
Heritage Road 2015 – Bloodstone Shiraz
"A red wine like a shiraz, which is heavier in character, will pair well with meat dishes like beef and lamb," said Ms. Tan. Succulent red meat dishes, like beef stew or grilled lamb, and tomato-based pasta will pair especially well with this full-bodied red wine.
Domaine Bousquet 2015 – Malbec
Malbec is one of the most popular wine companions for lamb. You can try a different variety of lamb dishes such as lamb shanks, spicy lamb curry, or lamb stew. If you don't like lamb, pair this wine with smoky barbecued beef instead.
Domaine Bousquet 2015 – Chardonnay
"White wines like chardonnay are suitable for white meats and seafood," Ms. Tan explained. This is the perfect wine for light food like lobster, shrimp, or crab in pasta cream sauces. Snapper is the quintessential dish for Chardonnay.
Chinese banquet
As Chinese food was not historically made with wine in mind, choosing the right pairing can be tricky. Wines that suit Western dishes might not sit well with the spices and complexity of Chinese cuisine. You can try using the pairings below, but it never hurts to consult a wine expert.
Buronga Hill Estate 2016 – Cabernet Sauvignon
Known as the king of red grapes, this full-bodied wine pairs beautifully with beef and lamb dishes. Cabernet Sauvignon particularly suits heavier dishes with rich sauces such as stir-fried beef or ribs.
McGuigan 2015 - Merlot
"Especially for Chinese banquets, a red wine such as merlot should go well with fish and chicken," said Ms. Tan. In fact, this versatile wine suits a variety of dishes, ranging from beef and Peking duck to dishes with fruits such as mangoes and peaches.
Buronga Hill Estate 2016 – Sauvignon Blanc
"As for the white wine option, sauvignon blanc pairs well with chicken, seafood, and vegetable dishes," Ms. Tan continued. This lean and crisp white wine calls for white meats dishes such as delicate fish and oyster, as well as green vegetables.
The best way to decide which wines to serve is definitely to taste first! To further aid couples in finding the perfect wine, Barworks holds complimentary wedding wine tasting session on 1 Saturday of every month especially for engaged couples.
You will also receive personalised recommendations from their carefully selected range of exclusively imported wines. RSVP for one of the 12 limited slots per tasting session to irene@barworks.com.sg or call them at +65 6534 1995!
Barworks Wine & Spirits is located at Blk 18 Sin Ming Lane, #05-09 Midview City, Singapore 573960. Contact us at +65 6534 1995 or irene@barworks.com.sg to find out more about wedding wines.
