Help With Wedding Wines

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:43 pm

Hi Everyone

I'm getting married at the end of February in Sydney (could be bloody hot) and I'm able to take my own wine to the reception. So my Fiance and I need to work out what to buy and would like your suggestions. We plan to buy a mixed case to try some of the options before purchasing.

I would like to pick 3-4 wines in each category. Here's my research so far;

- Champagne/Sparkling White (I notice a recent post on Best Aussie Sparkling Wines under $30 (on another forum) which has been very helpful.)

Seppelt Salinger ($20)
Janz Premium NV ($20)
Yarra Burn Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2001 ($17)
Chandon Vintage Brut 2002 ($26)

I would be prepared to increase the budget, a little bit, if the quality increased significantly.

- Chardonnay

Evans and Tate 2004 (90/100 CM) ($15)
Hoddles Creek Creek Unoaked 2005 ($17)
Madfish 2004 (95/100 JH) ($20)
Oakridge 2002 (92/100 JO, 2003 95/100 JH) ($20)
Hardys Tintara 2002 (95/100 JH) ($16)

- Sauvignon Blanc

In the range of $14-16 per bottle ??? Perhaps a Margaret River or Kiwi?

- Pinot Noir

In the range $15- $20 per bottle ??? Mornington Pensiular or Tassie?
Clos Pierre Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2005

- Sparkling Shiraz

I'll be going with the Seppelt Original SS 2002 (91/100 JH 89/100 JO) ($14) . Unbeatable QPR

- Shiraz

d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viogner 2001.(93/100 JH 90/100 JO) ($30) Have already got enough bottles to cover unless it's only red bigots who attend.

- Dessert Wine

Sticky or Fortified?

The wedding cake is a tower of soft centre Chocolate Pudding with vanilla cream anglaise & fresh berries.
??

Was also wondering if a sparkling and a regular shiraz would be too much? I really want to drink the Laughing Maggie but the sparkling would also be good if the weather's hot.

There will be about 80 people at the wedding so an idea on amounts would also be appreciated.

I look forward to any advice you can give.

Cheers
Elvis

Hypnotoad · Post by **Hypnotoad** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 6:42 pm

I am a big fan of the Salinger as a sparkler with a great QPR. Another one worth considering IMO is the 1999 Seaview Pinot Noir Chardonnay which could give you more budget room for more red wine

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:56 pm

Other sparklers well worth a look in that price range are from Brown Bros and Grant Burge.

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:58 pm

Oh, and PN in the 15 to 20 price range I would look at De Bortoli Windy Peak. Fights well above its price.

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:41 pm

Cheers Davo.

Isn't it time for a new fish avitar? Surely you've caught one bigger than that recently. :wink:

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:39 am

OK, when I sober up tomorrow I will see if I can load up the 50lb Dhufish. :lol:

Ian S · Post by **Ian S** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 5:50 am

My only thought was whether the Pinot Noir would be appreciated by non-wine fans. Of course if it's matching the food, then no issues. I'm not sure what food you've got planned, but most people will just pile into the wine they like than be too fussed about a good wine/food match.

Maybe if it's stinking hot, a nice chilled light red might be an alternative (I was thinking beaujolais, but maybe a decent rose).

Other than that the list looks of interest for people who are interested in wine as well as those that know nothing.

Hope it goes well

Ian

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:06 am

Ian if you are looking at a kiwi sauvignon below are recomendations of some cheaper ones from 2005

Shingle Peak
Jaskson Estate
Villa Maria PB
Astrolabe
Palliser
Wither Hills

All are built in the classical marlborough mould, i really like the jackson for its clean flavours and lovely weight

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 10:49 pm

Hey, you are stuck with my current avatar until I find another way of changing it as my firewall won't let Auswine onto my computer to load her up.

Had a flick with a couple of nice reds all set to go and all.

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 10:55 pm

Craig(NZ) wrote:Ian if you are looking at a kiwi sauvignon below are recomendations of some cheaper ones from 2005

Shingle Peak
Jaskson Estate
Villa Maria PB
Astrolabe
Palliser
Wither Hills

All are built in the classical marlborough mould, i really like the jackson for its clean flavours and lovely weight

I'll add Mt Riley and MGP to that list. Would also recommend the Shingle Peak as a cheap and great value Pinot to consider. Available over here for NZ$14 on special and no pinot comes close to the quality at that price.

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:11 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll let you know what we decide.

Cheers
Elvis

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:11 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll let you know what we decide.

Cheers
Elvis

griff · Post by **griff** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:19 pm

Would tip the De bortoli Show reserve Muscat for the dessert wine. Great QPR with aged material. 750mL for about $16. Goes better than a sticky with your cake methinks and can handle sweeter desserts than most good ports around that price.

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:25 am

Thanks Grif.

I've only had the Seppelt Show Reserve Muscat DP 63. Bloody nice stuff. Seem to remember having it last year with Christmas Pud. However, at $24.95 it's just out of the budget. So great suggestion with the De Bortoli.

Cheers
Elvis

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:25 pm

Elvispga wrote:- Sauvignon Blanc

In the range of $14-16 per bottle ??? Perhaps a Margaret River or Kiwi?

Cheers
Elvis

For that price range you could also look at the Grant Burge Kraft Vineyard or maybe if you're lucky the Paracombe Adelaide Hills Savy's - always great value, although the 2005s are a little riper than usual (but still highly regarded).

In regard to the 2001 Laughing Magpie, I don't know how many true red bigots will cue up for that wine - frankly too much stewed apricot for my liking, but then most Shiraz Viogniers fall into that category too.

Cheers,
Ian

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:23 pm

Having spoken to the restaurant, they have given me estimates based on their considerable experience with weddings. For 85-90 (we'll probably have 80) people they have suggested;

1.5 - 2 cases Chardonnay
1.5 - 2 cases Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon
2 cases Sparkling
1 case Sparkling Shiraz
1 case Shiraz
1 case Pinot Noir

They also said that they find the split is around 16 bottles of Champagne/Sparkling, 40 bottles of white and 19 bottles of red. Those who don't usually drink much wine will probably stick with beer, heathens!

Based on feedback from this and one other forum I have compiled a short list in each category as follows;

Champagne (just to piss the French off)

- Seppelt Salinger $19.90
- Chandon Brut NV $18.95
- Yarra Burn Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2001 $16.95
- Taltarni Tache Brut 2003 $15.95

Chardonnay

- Evans and Tate 2005 $15.99
- Hoddles Creek Unoaked 2005 $16.99
- Madfish 2004 $18.99
- Vasse Felix 2004 $17.99
- Pemberton Salitage Unwooded $17.55

Sauvignon Blanc/Semilon

- Cape Mentelle Sem/Sav 2005 $19.99
- Kim Crawford Sav Blanc 2005 $15.99
- Villa Maria PB Sav Blanc $15.95
- Wine by Brad 2005 Sem/Sav $15.99

Pinot Noir

- Yarra Valley Clos Pierre 2005 $15.90
- Yerring Station 2003 $17.95
- Red Hill 2002 $13.85
- Hoddles Creek $16.99

I'll let you know what we decide.

Cheers
Elvis

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