WEDFEST 2025 – The Wines You Tasted

We’re approaching wedding season, which means time to think about wine! As you may have seen in this article about How To Buy Wine For Weddings & Celebrations, choosing wine can be a minefield when you take into account expensive tastes but strict budgets and what makes a good reception wine versus what will pair with your carefully chosen food menu. The often unspoken thing however is worrying about whether you might be subtly (even subconsciously) judged for being too ‘cheap’ or too ‘basic’ with your wine choices. The solution? Go off the beaten track!

Those of you who came to see me at WEDFEST 2025 in Cowes will have tasted some great examples of slightly lesser known wine styles that are guaranteed to please. All wines in the tasting were generously brought to you by my good friends at Corney & Barrow. Here they are:

The Corney & Barrow Wines

Dry Sparkling

Tissot-Maire Blanc de Blancs Crémant du Jura Brut NV, £16.25

Jura is a French wine region that escapes many people's notice as it's small - but it is mighty! Crémant wines from here, like this one, often use Chardonnay –  one of the famous Champagne grape. They're made in the traditional method as well and this one has been aged for 4 years on its lees for an extra creamy, brioche-like bit. It's super dry, very classy - and half the price of even a basic Champagne. 

White Wine

Vina Garedo Grupo Yllera Rueda 2023, £11.25 

The Spanish region of Rueda is a perhaps less well known than nay, but it is the home of the vibrant, greengage and lime-scented Verdejo grape! This one smells of sunshine adnd will people to white wine drinks at both ends of the spectrum, from those who love full-bodied wines to those who love a crisp Sauvignon. 

Red Wine 

Saumur Champigny Lieu-Dit Les Villaises Caves de Saumur 2022, £14.95

Light-to-medium reds like this one from Saumur in the Loire Valley are the way to go for weddings at any time of year. Made with the Cabernet Franc grape, this silky, elegant red has a slight leafiness, notes of crunchy cranberry and a slick of saline. it's not too tannic and it tastes like dream when slightly chilled. The perfect red all rounder!

Sweet Sparkling

Moscato d'Asti DOCG Fratelli Antonio e Raimondo 2023, £9.95

If you want something a bit special to serve with your wedding cake, try a sparkling Moscato from Asti in Northern Italy! Light in alcohol (5% ABV) and crisp and frothy with notes of pear and white peach, this has just the right amount of sweetness and the right weight to match a decent slice of wedding cake -  whether its a traditional fruit cake with icing and marzipan or a lighter sponge with a creamy filling. 

The Sticky for Cheese

'Saint Albert' Pacherenc de Vic Bilh, Producers Plaimont 2020 £19.95

Did you get to taste the extra bottle? This is what it was! With cheese, a sweeter white is so often more versatile and refreshing than a heavy fortified red like Port. Most people have heard of Tokaji or Sauternes, which do well here but for a lesser known, brilliant value sweetie, look to Pacherenc in Gascony, France. Made with Petit Manseng and Courbu, it's like fleshy greengage, candied orange peel and tropical fruit with a tangy, crips acidity. A beautiful foil for salty cheese but sweeter puddings work well too!

Sale or Return?

As I mentioned at the event, the great thing about buying wine for weddings and large events is that most wine companies, Like Corney & Barrow, will agree to take back full cases of wine that haven't been touched. However, from experience, it’s actually rather lovely having a stash of your special wine left after the event to be enjoyed post-wedding on anniversaries, later parties or even gifted to those who helped out.

Pro Tip!

Round up. I talk about the actual amount of wine you will probably need here but from experience, it’s incredible how many people I have asked said they stuck firmly to the wine budget before the event then on the day, panicked and sent out some poor uncle or cousin to panic buy extra booze. No one needs that stress on such a big day. Round up. You can send back full cases if you need to  - but I’m pretty sure you will want to keep it. 

Why going off-piste with wine helps

• Choosing less obvious wine means preconceptions about Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Prosecco etc. are left at the door. 
• It’s hard to gauge price if people don’t know the wine grape or style.
• Off the beaten track wines often totally over-deliver for the price. 
• They give your guests a talking point and maybe even a new favourite that they will remember that they discovered at YOUR wedding.
• It’s shallow we know, but it does make you look cultured. 
• Interesting choices show you’ve really thought about all the details.

Food & Wine Pairing Tool

Did you know, the Academy has a food and wine pairing tool - and its free! Simply put in what you're eating, cut and paste a recipe link or take a phot of the recipe and it will give you three, perfectly judged wine choices. Try it here!

Looking for the perfect wedding gift for wine lovers? Why not give them the gift of wine knowledge with the HelenSips wine course? It's made up bite-sized videos of 5 minutes or less so they can learn in their own time and own location. See more HERE.