How to Pick the Best Wine & Champagne for a Wedding Reception

Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but when it comes to choosing the best wines for weddings, we have you covered.

In this guide, we’ll share how to select wines based on your guest list, venue and menu, as well as provide specific recommendations on wine styles and bottles from the WSJ Wine cellars.

What to Consider Before Choosing Wine for a Wedding

There’s no “one size fits all” answer for picking the best wine for weddings. Just as the dress and floral arrangements have to complement each other, the wine selection must harmonize with several aspects of the big day.

Guest Dietary Preferences

Naturally, you’ll tailor the wedding menu to guests’ dietary preferences, and you can do the same for the wine.

Though wine is made from grapes, it’s not always vegetarian or vegan. Some wines use animal byproducts during the fining process (most commonly, gelatin or egg whites). Check the back labels or, when shopping online, look for search filters for vegetarian and vegan wines or read the wine details.

Likewise, wine is generally gluten free; though some winemaking techniques may leave trace amounts of gluten. For example, aging wine in barrels sealed with wheat paste. Again, refer to the labels or check with the retailer for more information.

Guests on keto diets can enjoy wine in moderation. For lower sugar and carbohydrate levels, choose dry (not sweet) wines.

Kosher wines have become more widely available in recent years—look for the certification on the label or chat with your retailer. (WSJ Wine offers an incredible Kosher Cabernet.)

Finally, if you have guests who abstain from alcohol, there are plenty of delicious no-alcohol wines on the market—like this 90-point, 0% ABV sparkling wine.

Menu

You’ve likely spent hours deciding on the perfect wedding menu, so take care to choose wines that will complement—or even better, elevate—the dishes served. To make it simple, we’ve put together this handy pairing chart:

Champagne & Sparkling Wine

Many weddings offer a Champagne or sparkling wine toast to the happy couple. Though, sparkling wine can also be enjoyed alongside hors d’oeuvres, the main course or even with desserts. 

Here are five elegant suggestions from the WSJ Wine cellars:

Alessandro Gallici Prosecco Anniversario

Prosecco is the world’s best-selling sparkling wine—thanks to its refreshing, fruit-forward profile—so it’s guaranteed to please a crowd. It’s also a bargain compared to Champagne, making it a savvy choice for large gatherings.

Alessandro Gallici Prosecco Anniversario comes in a unique, jewel-like bottle that’s stunning enough to act as a table centerpiece. The wine has inviting green apple and tropical fruit flavors, accented by lively bubbles, and is an excellent match for charcuterie platters.

L’Occhiolino Sparkling Red

Treat guests to something totally different with L’Occhiolino Sparkling Red. This vivacious Italian bubbly bursts with vibrant berry notes, frothy bubbles and a gentle sweetness that will satisfy your “sweet wine only” friends and pair well with desserts. It’s also a great choice for brunch or outdoor receptions, as it’s only 7.5% ABV and is delicious when lightly chilled. 

Dominio de los Duques

Made using the same meticulous traditional method as Champagne (but often costing a fraction of the price), Spanish Cava is a smart option for wedding receptions. Dominio de los Duques is one of our favorites, with fresh floral notes, lemony apple flavors and a pleasantly creamy mousse. It’ll be delectable alongside chicken, fish or even wedding cake.

Domaine B&B Bouché Crémant de Limoux Rosé

Another top-value alternative to Champagne, Crémant de Limoux is France’s (and the world’s) original sparkling wine. This boutique selection has delicate berry and brioche notes, with a romantic pale-pink color. A lovely match for seafood, risottos, fresh fruit or cheesecakes.

Champagne Brigitte Delmotte Brut Réserve

If only Champagne will do, then we have an absolute stunner for you. From a 170-year-old family estate in the trendy Côte des Bar district, this double-gold Réserve has a remarkable toasty-creamy complexity plus vivacious notes of peach, apple and candied citrus. It’ll make for an unforgettable toast.

Red Wine

J Opi Malbec

Over the last few decades, Malbec has become a major star in Argentina's Mendoza region. Our customers’ #1 Malbec hails from Opi “The Malbec Magician” Sadler and brims with plush black fruit and intriguing spice notes. It’ll pair well with steak (Malbec’s classic match), pork, lamb or any barbecued meats.

Purple Owl Pinot Noir

Our best-selling California Pinot Noir will be a lovely addition to an outdoor reception—especially with its pretty floral label. Delicious when lightly chilled, it has a silky-smooth texture and overflows with fresh berry, earthy spice and classic cola notes. Wonderfully food friendly, as all Pinot Noir should be, it’ll delight with salmon, salads, chicken, vegetarian dishes and more.

White Wine

White wines make refreshing aperitifs to start an evening in style and can pair deliciously with nearly anything on the menu. Here are five popular picks from the WSJ Wine cellar: 

Split Rock Sauvignon Blanc

Few wines are more mouthwatering than New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and Split Rock has been a customer favorite for years. Made at the oldest winery on the South Island, which remains family owned to this day, it bursts with gooseberry and citrus flavors. Easy to open thanks to the screwcap, it’s best served well chilled and will pair nicely with everything from shrimp cocktail to goat cheese salads to fruit tarts.

Le Champ des Etoiles Chardonnay

Many white wine fans love Chardonnay, and this longtime bestseller is crafted in the image of fine white Burgundy (arguably, the finest Chardonnay of all) at a far friendlier price. Hailing from southern France, it was fermented and briefly aged in French oak barrels. Its beguiling peach, citrus and buttery aromas make it a lovely partner for roasted chicken, pork and rich seafood like lobster.