Our guide to the perfect wedding wines

“Wine is a little like love, when the right one comes along, you’ll know it.” – Anonymous

The all-important question has been asked, the even more important ‘yes’ has been declared, you’ve set on the perfect date and the dreamiest venue for your big day, so what’s next?

Whichever part of the day you are thinking about, whether it’s the morning spent getting ready with your nearest and dearest, welcoming your guests, toasting to your favourite love story of all, the perfectly paired meal or the unforgettable evening celebrations, there is one thing that will feature in almost every moment of your special day… the wedding wine list.

A seemingly simple element of your wedding can actually require some thought when you start to consider the wines you’d like, the amount you’ll need and when and how you’ll serve it. Here at Bolney, we (naturally) know a thing or two about wine, so read on for a simple wedding wine guide to popular wedding wines and sparkling wines. Let us help you create a truly sparkling celebration of love.

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The welcome drink

The dress has been revealed and your vows have been exchanged. As you head off to take your wedding pictures, your guests will be getting their first taste of the day to come. You can be as creative or classic as you like with your welcome tipple of choice, so we recommend having fun with this one. If you are opting for a traditional sparkling wine, our Classic Cuvée is a great choice. This fresh and elegant wine is as special as champagne (and made using the same Traditional Method) but with a wonderful English twist. For something a little different, a dash of British Cassis in the winter or Framboise in the summer is the perfect way to elevate this sparkling wine.

If you are hoping to go for something less traditional, our Bolney Estate Gin makes a delicious addition to your wedding day. Keep it simple with your favourite tonic and garnish or mix it up into a cocktail inspired by your love story. And for those of your guests who aren’t gin lovers? Our Sparkling Cider is always a big hit. Enjoy chilled in the summer or mulled in the winter.

We recommend: 2 glasses of wine or drinks per person.

The meal

“A good wine is like a gentle kiss, its effect throughout the meal is scintillatingly sensual in an elegantly understated way.” – Frances Tabeek, Wine Enthusiast.

Choosing the wine for your meal can be a bit of a minefield with so many tastes to cater for. However, our advice here would be to try and stick to popular wine varieties, but ultimately to choose what you love (it is your day after all)! The first decision is red, white or rosé – do you want all three, just red and white, majority one colour with a few bottles of another? We’d suggest breaking it down by course for the perfect pairings to complement your meal.

The evening

Time to get your dancing shoes on! This is the perfect opportunity to really inject your personalities into the drinks menu. We’d suggest setting up a wine and cocktail bar with your favourite drinks. You could even add your own special twist and name the cocktails together for a bespoke touch to your day. We recommend featuring your favourite wines from throughout the day, plus an extra choice if desired. Our Eighteen Acre Rosé makes a great sparkling evening wine. For the cocktails, our Bolney Estate Gin and Rosso Vermouth are the perfect base for a whole range of delicious drinks including our favourite, Sussex Negroni.

As your day draws to a close, you may opt for a cheese finale, and what better pairs with cheese than wine? Our unique sparkling red Cuvée Noir makes a standout choice for your cheeseboard, and is sure to leave guests talking long past your dream day.

We recommend: 1 glass per person, per hour, plus 1 glass each of Cuvée Noir.