If you’re planning a wedding and are wondering if you should serve white or red wine at the reception, consider: Most people associate red wine with romance and a celebration. White wine is often associated with special occasions such as business meetings and dinners with the boss. Both are great options, but you may want to serve one or the other depending on the event.
If you’re having a large wedding party, you might consider having both white and red wines available at your reception.
tips to choose your wines:
1. Choose a red wine that you enjoy drinking. Your guests will enjoy drinking it, and they will appreciate the fact that you chose a wine that you enjoy drinking.
2. Your wedding will be an emotional time in your life, and one of the ways to make the wedding day even more remarkable is to use wines that are personally meaningful to you. This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate your relationship. You can choose wines based on personal preferences, the foods you like, or even the colours of your wedding.
3. Choose a wine you would be happy drinking during the wedding ceremony or after dinner. You don’t want your guests to leave the party feeling like you are forcing them to drink something they don’t like.
4. If you are getting married in South Africa, consider having the wedding at a wine farm. These wine farms can offer beautiful scenery and excellent wines.
5. Visit wine farms for wine tastings to find new red wines you like.
We’ve rounded up a variety of red wines available on the Heslhoogte Pass in Stellenbosch.
Delaire – The Banghoek 2017
Graceful and elegant, Delaire Graff Estate’s The Banghoek pays tribute to its namesake showcasing a delicate dance of poised distinction. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec, The Banghoek is a classic ode to the more flirtatious of the noble varietals. The nose is characterised by subtle spicy oak, traces of cedar wood and delicate aromas of rich violets. Red fruit flavours on the palate make for a savoury, firm finish. Aged in 60% French Oak barrels for 16 months, its soft subtlety is balanced by refined structure.
Zorgvliet Wines – Richelle 2018
The flavors and aromas remind of black cherries and violets with a touch of graphite. The finish is long and lingering with notes of mocha and chocolate.
Zorgvliet Wines – Merlot 2019
The nose reminds of blackcurrants and plums and ripe prunes with a hint of truffles and thatch roof.
Oldenburg Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Mulberries, blackcurrant leaf, plums and graphite come to the fore. On the palate, this is a full-bodied wine, full of dried figs, brambles, dark cherries and vanilla pods. Read more
Tokara – TELOS 2016
The aromas of cassis, smoked tobacco and perfectly ripe plums dominate and are complemented by dusty graphite and brambleberry notes. The palate offers restrained richness and tannins that are so fine that they entwine the fresh, mouth-filling acidity and the almost endless finish. There is a retention of freshness and vibrancy that keeps everything in flawless balance. It is a dramatic wine that is best savoured with fine company
Rainbow’s End Wine Estate – Shiraz
Produced from the oldest block on the farm. Differentiating itself from other Shiraz in SA by being not too spicy but rather more fruit-driven, this wine is produced in a French Style lending it similar characteristics to a Rhone-style Shiraz. It is a more classic wine produced from a cooler area. Three clones are used in the production i.e. 174 and 99 (French) and 9 (Argentinian giving the fruity character). The first wine made on Rainbow’s End Estate in 2002.
Le Pommier Wine Estate – Jonathan’s Malbec 2020
The only 100% Malbec made in the Banhoek valley. Perfumed notes on the nose, give way to rich mulberry and dark cherry tones on the palate. The wine shows full but finely structured tannins, that although restrained now, will reward well with a couple of years of bottle maturation. This wine is a limited release red wine. For the story behind Jonathan’s Malbec read here.
Le Pommier Wine Estate – Angle Peur Cabernet Franc 2019
This spicy wine shows wonderful aromas of raspberries, plums and blackcurrant leaves. A delicate and perfumed wine with ample juice on the mid-palate and with great length.
In addition to being a great match with your food, wines are also a fantastic part of any wedding celebration. They add flavour, ambience, and character to any event.