THE WINE & FOOD MARRIAGE

With the Hunter Valley being the chosen location for the celebration of your marriage you are more than likely thinking “how do I match the wedding menu with the renowned and award winning Hunter Valley Wines”.

Well we are here to help. We have prepared some handy tips to make the decision with ease.

• Firstly, prepare yourself for a lot of swirling, sniffing and spitting as you are not going to simply base your decision on the tasting notes and recommendation of others.
• Speak to the cellar door staff at the winery in which you are wishing to purchase your wine. They will be more than happy to provide their expertise in helping you select the perfect wines to accompany your menu.
• It is all about the balance. Ask yourself “Can you taste the wine when you sip it?  Can you taste the food when you have a bite?” If yes, to both then this is great - you have got a perfectly match food and wine combination. However, if there is a dominate taste that remains then it possibly not the right match.
• Another easy way to match the wine with the food (without getting all technical), is to compare weights and bodies. This is where following  the trusted “red wine goes with red meat and white wine goes with white meat” rule comes into play.
• Considering the season that you are getting married in is important too, as it will influence your decision. For example, in late spring and summer you will possibly need more sparkling and white wines as it tends to be drunk like water when it hot.  It is also possibly a good idea to ensure that there is plenty of soft drink and water available too.
• Most importantly, remember that when it comes to the marriage of wine and food there are no rules - it is all personal preference.

If you are given the opportunity to select your own wines, enjoy the experience. At the end of the day, no matter what wine you serve at the wedding reception the vast majority of your guests will be happy with what they are offered.