Wedding wine selection help

[stevebody]

Please, do yourself a favor and look outside CA/WA for your bubbly! Try either the Gruet Blanc de Noir or the Italian Mionetto "Sergio". We served the Sergio at my step-daughter's wedding and even non-bubbly drinkers loved it. While I seldom find anything from Guruchgo to disagree with, I think the Ste. Michelle Brut is one of the most over-hyped wines in the current market. I had the new issue of it in a trade tasting last month (with 36 other bubblies in all price ranges) and everybody there thought it was mediocre, at best. We also tasted the Chandon you mentioned and ditto on that. This is all IMHO, of course, so try them for yourself.

For the Sauv Blanc, I'd at least try the R.H. Phillips. It's cheap, nicely balanced, and a crowd-pleaser. For the red that costs pennies and works beautifully with food, try the Francis Coppola Rosso, Promessa Rosso Salento, Laurel Glen "Reds" (!!!), or Cline "Red Truck". I'd second the Pepperwood Grove Syrah but it might cover up the chicken.

As a possible CA/WA bubbly, try the St. Innocent Blanc De Noir or the very fine Argyle Brut. The St. I is an obscure favorite of mine and the Argyle is a staple of weddings around the Northwest. It's as elegant and balanced a bubbly as you'll ever find out of this region.

[This message has been edited by stevebody (edited 12-14-2004).]