Serving wine doesn’t have to be intimidating

Tips from a wine expert

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a good bottle of wine,” noted Bobbi Mix, the assistant manager of Northbound Liquor in Cambridge.

“You can spend under $10 these days and get a really good bottle of wine,” she added.

That’s great news for couples planning wedding receptions.

Mix pointed out that the average couple spends between $200 to $300 on wine for their wedding reception, compared to the $400 to $600 it can cost to set up a bar with mixed cocktails. These days, when every dollar counts, that cost difference matters.

She recognizes that people are pinching pennies, and is happy to help them pinpoint great deals when she meets with them at the Cambridge liquor store.

If you’re not placing bottles on tables, consider a box wine. The stigma attached to box wines in the past has evaporated as winemakers have released products made from vibrant juices. “They’re a great value and there is no waste,” Mix remarked.

If you do want to use the bottles as table decorations, Mix can help you find a bottle with a pretty label, one that might even match your decor. For an outdoor wedding last summer, Mix steered the bride and groom to Barefoot Bubbly. In addition to being reasonably priced at $6 a bottle with a case discount, the champagne label features bare feet. “It was darling,” Mix recalled. The couple also purchased a case of Barefoot White Zinfandel and one case of Barefoot Pinot Grigio, two wines that fit in well with the light, summer atmosphere.

For a classy winter wedding, Mix suggested Frexenet Extra Dry and Frexenet Spumante. The bride and groom knew they wanted a French wine when they sat down with Mix. They appreciated the classy look of the black bottles with gold labels.

Many couples opt to purchase a more expensive wine, often their favorite, to serve only to the members of their wedding party.

For couples who aren’t sure what they like, Mix will open up a bottle of wine there in the store to offer them a taste. After hearing feedback, she then has a better idea of what sort of wine to recommend.

Mix has found that people often want to serve only the wine they like to their guests. However, she steers those who drink dry wines to sweeter wines. Offer both to give your guests options. “People who like dry wine will drink something sweeter, but people who like sweet wine will not drink dry,” Mix pointed out. She has had many couples thank her for this advice after the wedding when all the sweet wine is gone but bottles of the dry remain.

In general, she recommends that couples provide a white zinfandel (a sweet wine), chardonnay or pinot grigio (a dry wine), and a cabernet (a drier wine). If your wedding is in the summer, consider serving a sweet white like a reisling or moscato (which comes as regular or bubbly) in place of the white zinfandel. Or, serve a savignon blanc from New Zealand; they’re rapidly gaining popularity because of their light, citrusy taste.

Northbound Liquor offers case discount of 15 percent, which equals two free bottles of wine. You can mix and match in the case, filling it with both reds and whites.

Not sure how much to order? It’s a common problem, noted Mix. Some wedding groups drink more and some less. She advises couples to order more, and then bring what they don’t use back for a full refund.

Also, Northbound will be happy to store your wine and keep the whites chilled until you need them.

Wine helps create a relaxed atmosphere for events. “I think it can be a good value without spending a lot of money,” said Mix. “It will make your day perfect.”

Tips from a wine expert:

• Serve alcoholic champagne that is colored pink and non-alcoholic that is white. This way, you’ll know at a glance which type someone is drinking, and it’ll be easy to keep those underage drinking the non-alcoholic version.

• Taste before you serve. Try out the wine before you decide to serve it to your guests. Each year, Northbound Liquor teams up with Spectacular Events in Isanti to offer an extensive wine tasting with gourmet treats. The cost is $20, and the tasting goes from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tastings are set for April 22, Sept. 23 and Nov. 18, 2010.

• Trends in the wine industry are changing. These days, there is no stigma attached to box wines, and they are a great value for your money.

• Save money by serving your $40 bottles only to the head table. Give the rest of your guests a good wine that costs under $10 a bottle.

• If you want to match your bottles, offer a blush, white and red made by the same winery.

• Make an appointment to speak to an expert before you purchase your wine. Mix is happy to offer suggestions. Contact her at 763-689-2468.

GREAT DEALS

BLUSH

Sutter Home White Zinfandel, $4

WHITE

Barefoot Pinot Grigio, $6

RED

Sutter Home Cabernet, $6

A STEP UP

BLUSH

Beringer White Zinfandel $7

WHITE

Robert Mondovi Chardonnay, $8

RED

Robert Mondovi Cabernet, $8

MAKE IT BUBBLY

VALUE-RANGE

Andre Spumante, $5

MOST POPULAR

Ballatore, $7

MID-RANGE

Korbel, $12 or Mondori Asi, $15

HIGH-RANGE

Chandon, $25