VALUES ON THE VINE
Light, festive wines
recommended this
wedding season
As the wedding season approaches, "buy wine" is on the to-do list of many a party planner. It doesn't have to be a scary task. Our panelists offer some choices that are both festive and affordable. Also, keep in mind many stores offer discounts on bulk wine purchases. If no such policy is posted, it never hurts to ask.
Richard Field
Owner of R. Field Wine Co.
With wedding planning, much of the emphasis is on budget. Finding wines that are high in value is important to both the hosts and the guests. Gallerie Wines ($6.99) produces wines from the South of France and they are not only great values, they are attractive bottles that can even be placed on the tables. They each feature a different reproduction of a famous Impressionist artist's work. The red wines -- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah -- each offer distinct varietal character and smooth finishes. They are easy drinking and have wide appeal. The Chardonnay is crisp, with a touch of butterscotch.
Sweet wine should never be forgotten at a celebration that touches so many. But a sweet wine for this occasion should be light and refreshing as opposed to thick and syrupy. Believe it or not, there are sweet wines that are not perceived as dessert wines. Moscato D'Asti from northern Italy is a low alcohol, slightly bubbly, playfully sweet wine that nearly everyone loves -- even people who claim they don't like the taste of any wine. Everyone will gladly raise a glass of Moscato D'Asti Cascinetta ($14.99) to toast the new bride and groom.
Lyle Fujioka
Owner of Fujioka's Wine Merchants
1998 Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano Sangiovese, Italy, $14.95: While the traditional surf- and-turf wedding reception dinner has evolved from the basic steak-and-lobster plate, pairing a red wine remains perplexing for many. This all-purpose Sangiovese resolves the issue. Glassy smooth and laden with ripe black cherry and spicy plum fruit, its tasty flavors and perfectly pitched acidity level will enhance any surf (seared ahi, grilled ahi or lobster) or turf (chicken, duck or pork) combination.
Rotari Arte Italiano Brut, Italy, $9.95: As Blue Nun killed the German Riesling category, so did Asti Spumante do to Italian sparkling wines. Please note: Spumante does not equate to sparkling sweet. Arte Italiano is wonderfully dry and quite correct in a French way. Slightly biscuity with an attractive shade of maturity, it will serve as the ideal wedding toast or cocktail reception wine.
1998 La Spinetta Moscato D'Asti, Italy, $14.95: For the absolute final touch of perfection, serve a glass of La Spinetta Moscato with a slice of wedding cake. So lightly effervescent, with fragrances of ripe apple, melon, delicate tangerine and honey, this dessert wine will have all those attending smiling with delight.
Chuck Furuya
President of Fine Wine Imports
We have so many cultures and races in the islands and, therefore, many different ethnic foods served at weddings. Because I would want a fun, creative party, I would choose three or four wines to serve, write verbiage and have it blown up into a sign to encourage people to try the various wine selections.
Here are some tasty, creative, contemporary wine selections for your enjoyment:
Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Riesling, $12.92: Dry, feather-light, highly innovative, lemon-edged white wine created by California's most creative, innovative winemaker for Pacific Rim foods.
Zilliken Riesling, $15.83: Ever so slightly sweet and light-bodied, this is a style ideal for novice drinkers or those looking for white zinfandel. And this is the perfect selection for salty or spicy foods, as it not only counters such character but it cools, soothes and refreshens the palate between bites.
Charles Merlot, $16.99: A joint effort of Fine Wine Imports, Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat and myself, resulting in a superbly elegant, sleek, seductively textured Merlot. A true family project as it is named after my father with my mother-in-law's painting copied on the label.
Jay Kam
President of Vintage Wine Cellar
Carousel Classique Brut, France, $9.99: A real blanc de blanc (100 percent Chardonnay) sparkling wine from France at this price, you've got to be kidding! No, we're not. Well-textured and well- balanced, it has complex fruit aromas. Served chilled, this is perfect for the toast at your wedding, or you can mix it with orange juice and serve it as cocktails. Either way, at this price, you can't go wrong.
Wildcard
Kimberly Case, Tamura's Fine Wine and Liquors
Kimberly Case, sales executive at Tamura's Fine Wine and Liquors in Kakaako, last contributed to our Wildcard section in March. This month she recommends the following value-priced whites for a lunch, brunch or afternoon wedding reception.
1997 Ironstone Obsession, $5.59: This semi-sweet, luscious wine is fruity and flavorful. Its beautiful vanilla nose, balanced peachy fruit flavors and hints of honey, violets and dried rose petals all blend into an easy-drinking afternoon delight.
1997 Cline Cellars Cotes D'Oakley Vin Blanc, $6.59: A blend of eight grapes has resulted in an excellent semi-sweet food wine. Flavors of pear, green apple, peach and pineapple are highlighted by a lush vanilla nose. The result is a soft, easy-to-drink wine.
Ceretto Vignaioli Di Santo Moscato D'Asti, $12.19: This wine is a dessert unto itself. Its effervescence complements the lemon and orange flavors. The vanilla and honeysuckle aromas pair well with wedding cake or desserts of pastry, ice cream or fresh fruit.
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