The web is teeming with wine websites and blogs giving recommendations for wine from all over the world.  But oftentimes at weddings, the wine choices are the old standbys..some kind of sparkling wine for the toasts and Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Nothing wrong with that, but here are some idea starters to liven up your wine choices for 2010 and to discuss with your caterer and venue.  And you don’t have to break the bank in the process.

Just think of the M’s.

Meaning

Weddings are all about meaning…so why not follow suit with the wines.  If your family has Portuguese heritage, serve up wines from the Douro and Alentejo.  If your family is originally from Michigan, buy some bubbly from L. Mawby, a top sparkling winemaker from the Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan.

One of our brides from 2008 served red wines made by her dad’s company,  Black Rock Vintners, at her Fairfield County wedding.  And Sara, our 2009 client who works at a wine importer specializing in South African wines, naturally chose a Kanonkop South African red to pour at her wedding at the Branford House in Groton CT last summer.

And, of course, if you and your fiance have great memories of drinking Veuve Clicquot, well then…relive those memories at your wedding!

Menu

Instead of hard and fast rules on red and white wine food matches….just remember what the chefs and vintners say: “What grows together goes together.”

Whatever cultural direction your wedding menu takes, try to pair wines from the same region (or wines made in that region’s style).  Of course there’s oysters and Champagne (ok they don’t come from the same region…for that you could try a Muscadet), and for your tapas why not try an Albarino from the Rias Baixas region in Spain.  Rose wines from the south of France also pair well with rich wedding appetizers.  And a Cotes du Rhone or spicy southern Rhone wines from Vacqueyras (made from Syrah and Grenache) go well with all kinds of savory red meat dishes (the ’07 vintage is amazing).

Multitude

Remember that today there are wines made in all 50 US states (give me some of that Alaska vino!) and that great delicious wine comes from everywhere from Austria to New Zealand.  Broaden your search and have fun in choosing the wine for your wedding!

Bubbly ideas: don’t forget that there are delicious sparkling wines besides authentic Champagne from France.  Check out the Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy and top American sparkling wines.  Jane and I love J sparkling wine from California.

Or better yet…get married in a winery…check out the wineries along the Connecticut Wine Trail.  Several nice CT vineyards that host weddings are Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington,  Chamard Vineyards in Clinton, and Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington, Connecticut.

Have fun picking wines that you’ll enjoy with family and friends on your wedding day!

Cheers!!