Champagne 101

Most weddings include a champagne toast wishing happiness for the bride and groom. But, here’s the trick: You want to select a bubbly beverage that is pleasing both to the pallet and the wallet. It also has to be in good taste and well-liked by a variety of people. We checked with wine expert Mario Vitale, wine department manager at the West Point Market in Akron, for tips to help you make your selection.

Champagne or Sparkling Wine?

The most important point to remember is that there is a difference between Champagne and sparkling wine. Champagne is essentially sparkling wine that is produced in the Champagne region of France. Sparkling wines produced elsewhere are the same beverage, but they cannot be officially called “Champagne.”

That said, when most people order a beverage for their wedding toasts, they are actually dealing with sparkling wine, not Champagne. “Very few people — very few — use real Champagne from the region of Champagne at their receptions,” Vitale says. “It’s simply too expensive.” It starts at about $40 a bottle, and if you’re buying for 300 guests, expecting to serve eight glasses per bottle, you can do the math. Most people don’t want to spend that much just for a toast. Luckily, sparkling wines are just as delicious, elegant and effective as Champagne, with a hearty selection and attractive prices.

Sparkling & wine and food

Although it will mostly be used for toasting, sparkling wine does make a wonderful dinner companion. “It is very food friendly,” Vitale says. “You can put together a whole dinner around it with no trouble.” So if you do want to extend your sparkling wine selection beyond the speeches and tears, go ahead.

Sparkling Wine

For your wedding reception, Vitale recommends three varieties of sparkling wine: Cava, Prosecco and Mascato D’Asti.

Cava, from Spain, is a dry or semi-dry sparkling wine that sells for about $10 to $15 a bottle. Prosecco, probably Vitale’s most popular selection, comes from northern Italy and sells for about $15 to $20 a bottle; and Moscato D’Asti, also from northern Italy, sells for about $13 to $18 a bottle (it’s becoming very popular with people who like a little sweeter edge to their sparkling ine). Vitale urges buyers to choose from small growers, who make their wines in small batches, assuring freshness.

“There are also French sparkling wines not from the Champagne region that are reasonable and some beautiful domestic varieties from California and New Mexico worth trying,” Vitale adds.

Quantity

When planning your reception, it’s not only important to know what kind of sparkling wine you want for your toast but also how much to order. Keep in mind that most of your guests will probably only drink it for the toast and just need enough to sip on. Certainly, you’ll want to have enough on hand to accommodate those who really enjoy it and would like a refill, but don’t go overboard on a beverage that not everyone enjoys.

“When it comes to the toast, pour about half of a glass for everyone.” That’s about a 3-ounce pour, which is plenty for most people. Expect to get eight pours to a bottle with this size pour.

Sparkling & wine and food

Although it will mostly be used for toasting, sparkling wine does make a wonderful dinner companion. “It is very food friendly,” Vitale says. “You can put together a whole dinner around it with no trouble.” So if you do want to extend your sparkling wine selection beyond the speeches and tears, go ahead.