How to choose your wedding wine

The long-awaited moment has finally arrived. The longed-for intangible is taking shape. The date is set. The day, the month, the year...the pressure is building! You don't want anything to go wrong. And you know that of all the things that could go wrong, a poor wine choice would be the most inconvenient. Why? It's simple. First, you don't want anyone leaving your wedding with a bad taste in their mouth. Second, the post-ceremony party: let's not fool ourselves. It really matters.

The bride's dress, the maid of honor's fascinator, the floral and seating arrangements... With so many variables in play, the fans and critics will rival each other. Everyone has an opinion on what makes a good wedding. But the wine, oh, the wine. Having your wedding remembered for bad wine...there's no excusing or forgiving that. Your best bet would be to rely on experts in the field, but if you don't have access to any, we suggest you stick as closely as possible to the following advice:

First decide on your menu. Then pick the wine. This is important. Once you have tried all of the dishes and decided on the definitive menu then, and only then, is it time to start talking about wine. The relationship between beverage and food has to flow harmoniously. Neither should overpower the other nor disappear in its presence, which is why it's important to know what dishes will grace the table.

Surprising everyone is tricky. Don't lose sight of that. Surprise is inextricably linked to personality, and in this case, we're trying to please the masses rather than satisfy individual tastes. Of course you can be a bit daring, perhaps by opting for a less mainstream wine region or unusual grape varieties. But be careful when experimenting.

Make it a good one (please). As we said: for some inexplicable reason, the wine is always a big topic of conversation. Whether people know about wine or not. Weddings tend to produce a curious phenomenon in which the number of wine experts suddenly multiplies exponentially.

Let's get started.

The aperitif. A sparkling wine or a rosé, either bubbly or still, will work wonders in getting guests to loosen up. If this is a summer wedding, make sure the wines are served nicely chilled. They will prove irresistible. Plus, if the reception is held outside, arranging the bottles in huge ice buckets will keep them cool and look utterly charming.

During the meal, go from white to red. You can always rely on a few fail-safe principles. Although ignoring them can often result in delightful surprises, sometimes it is better to play it safe. White wines with light dishes, seafood, salads...as a gateway to the reds, best served with meat. We recommend you avoid extremes and opt for the middle ground instead. Neither very dry nor very fruity. Neither very potent nor insipid.

Ending on a sweet note. You could go for a sparkling wine, but nothing completes a feast like ending on a note of distinction. Pick a dessert wine that turns heads and inspires conversation. That pairs well with how the dessert plays on the palate. That envelops the moment in subtle sweetness. That evokes an almost wistful smile. Feel free to be bold here, because anyone who doesn't like the wine can always finish their previous glass.

Gastronomistas