Expert Tips on Choosing the Best Wines for Your Philadelphia Wedding
Wine guru Chloé Grigri — of Le Caveau and other spots — has some advice.
Which wedding wines are right for you? Here’s everything you need to know about your Big Day sips. / Illustration by Alyssa Nassner
Chloé Grigri, co-owner for a trio of dining spots (including Le Caveau in Bella Vista), helps you pick your wedding wines.
Consider the size of your wedding.
If you’re having something intimate and can dig into real-deal champagne, do it. For example, my husband and I were supposed to get married in France in 2020, and obviously, that didn’t happen. We ended up having a COVID-era celebration on our deck with 14 people. So I had a curated case of champagne, because we were willing to spend a lot of money on it. But if you’re having a 400-person wedding, you’re likely not going to pour champagne for all of your guests. It’ll probably be a crémant, cava or prosecco — something at a fair price but still great quality.
Plan for two and a half to three drinks per person.
That usually takes in people who aren’t drinking or aren’t drinking as much and those who are having a little more. It really depends on the group of people. If you know you’re inviting your extended family who loves wine and are going to put it down, then account for a little more than that. But keep in mind: People end up drinking a lot more sparkling than you anticipate at a celebratory occasion.
Don’t concern yourself too much with food pairings.
That is, unless you’re having a curated tasting menu with a small group and you want the food and wine to be the focus. It’s much more about personal preference and figuring out wine that people can enjoy all night long. I’d suggest a crisp, bright white wine, like an albariño from northern Spain, and a lighter, quaffable red, such as a juicy gamay from Beaujolais, France.
If you’re having a summer wedding, rosé should be in the mix.
If it’s at a different time of year, you don’t necessarily need it, unless you have an affection for that wine. Remember, people are there to celebrate you, and you should be putting your own personality into whatever your guests are experiencing that day.
Use all-purpose glassware for bubbles, whites and reds.
If you’re able to have some influence over what those glasses are, then try Chef & Sommelier or Riedel. But generally speaking, if you’re working with a bigger catering company, you’ll probably have a standard wineglass.
Pop Trio
Three sparkling wines to consider based on your price point, all available through Philly-area bottle shops:
For an entry-level classic: Victorine de Chastenay, Crémant de Bourgogne NV $
For a mid-range funky pick: VNA Oltrepo Pavese Pét-Nat $$
For grower champagne: Chavost, Blanc d’Assemblage, Brut Nature NV $$$
Published as “Perfect Pairings” in the Summer/Fall 2024 issue of Philadelphia Wedding.
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