Amazing amounts of energy have been devoted to planning your perfect wedding.  The dress, the cake, and the food and the atmosphere are all points that have been scrutinized to their tiniest detail.  Then why is it that many people pay little to no attention to the wine they serve?  This shouldn't be the case.  Here are four points that will make wine-buying less challenging and easier to navigate.

1.  Find a wine shop you can trust.  Good wine shops work well with caterers and are probably already working with yours.  A good wine shop incorporates 4 elements: selection, service, knowledge and price.  You should not accept anything less than excellence in these areas.

2.  Pair the wine with the food.  Look for wines that have good acidity.  This will help carry the food flavors.  Meats generally call for red wine, chicken and fish with white wine.  Chicken dishes are fantastic with Chardonnay, Viognier or Cotes du Rhone Blanc. Fish is easily paired with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Tocai Friulliano while Merlot and tuna is a great match.  Take a chance and taste these varieties from different countries as they capture different flavors.

3.  Pair the wine with the season.  People tend to drink lighter wines in summer and heavier wines in winter.  Experiment with dry Roses, Rieslings and Chianti's for the summer months.  These wines go great with food.  Try Pinot Noir's and Syrah's for the autumn months.  Winter months beg for Cabernet Sauvignon and Barolo.  These wines will help warm your soul when it's cool outside.

4.  Buy the wine you enjoy.  When it is all said and done, it is still your wedding.

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