We really lucked out, I think, on the alcohol portion of our wedding. Our venue is somewhat odd in that they take care of alcohol and tables and linens and stuff—basically everything BUT food (more on that front later). This is a unique byproduct of its function as the Women’s National Democratic Club, for which they host events all the time.
We opted for a full bar with a champagne toast because the price difference between that and beer and wine only was pretty negligible, and I really wanted to use these babies with some bubbly:
(Toasting flutes via BHLDN, gifted to me at my shower)
Clearly, Wolfman and I do enjoy an adult beverage or two, and it’ll be nice to give our guests a full selection. In addition to pretty standard liquor and mixers, here’s our wine list:
Le Souchais Chardonnay 2009
CH. LaBarthe Bordeaux AOC 2009
Gilles Benoit Pinot Noir Classique 2009
Due Torri Pinot Grigio 2010
Cape Roca Vinho Verde 2010
Jean Dumont Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Confession—I know NOTHING about wine. I have no idea what that list even means. Winos—are these decent enough options? Should we try to add something else?
The language we really speak is beer. That’s both of our choice beverages and our venue, awesomely, will actually take suggestions for beers we’d like to serve and just order some cases (their thinking is that they’ll be able to serve them just as easily at future events). Apparently they keep some standards stocked—Sam Adams, Amstel Light, Budweiser—but Wolfman and I like the idea of adding a beer or two that is a little off the beaten path—our version of a signature cocktail, if you will. Here’s some options:
(Image via PolandforAll.com)
Zywiec (pronounced, crazily, “jivitz”) is Wolfman’s favorite beer, and does double duty as an homage to his Polish heritage.
(Image via DC Brau)
We could easily do something from local brewer DC Brau, preferably their Belgian pale ale, the Citizen. A clear nod to our wedding location.
(Image via MacDowell’s Brew Kitchen)
Starr Hill’s “The Love” is a good option for obvious reason—what event is more connected to love than a wedding? Starr Hill is also based near Charlottesville, Virginia, so this would be a nice way to connect to my undergrad days at UVA (and Mrs. Mink’s hometown!).
We could also easily choose a beer from one of the many places we’ve traveled, although it would be hard to single one out above the others.
How did you choose your alcohol menu? Did you opt for crowd-pleasers or something a bit more personal?
I’ll preface this by saying I know very little about wine, so hopefully you’ll get a more helpful comment than this… but the wine list seems pretty white-heavy to me (4 whites to 2 reds). That could make sense if it was going to be really hot, but if you’re getting married in February, you might want to switch out a white for a red (and something medium bodied — pinot noir is light, and bordeaux is really full!).
Then again, it totally depends on your guests. If you know you have lots of white wine drinkers, it could make sense.
Fun beer selection! As a red wine drinker, I would second MrsJJC’s comment about the list being white-heavy. Maybe switch one of the whites for something like a malbec? They are getting to be well known but still kind of a niche, and are crowd pleasers in my circle!
I don’t have any advice on beer, but I LOVE your champagne flutes!
A cabernet sauvignon, shiraz/syrah, or red blend could work as well, I think!
I agree with the others, you may want to add another red for your wine list. I found that our guests drank a lot more red wine than I anticipated. That being said, I think your options will please anyone 
@MrsJJC @Almost Mrs.P @Mrs. Pony: thank you! that’s exactly the advice i needed. i’ll see what our venue can do!
Oh my gosh, I love DC Brau – definitely do that!!! As for wines, I’m personally a big white wine fan and my experience (with friends who had to buy liquor for their own wedding) is that white wine tends to be more popular at weddings and go quicker for whatever reason. That being said, I do understand the suggestion for one more red, especially since it’s a winter wedding, but I honestly think you’ll be fine since you’re serving a full bar and not just beer and wine.
I loooooove wine and I could talk about it all evening, but I’ll try to keep this short
Chardonnay (France) – Chard is a crowd-pleaser and this one shouldn’t be too oak-y since it’s from France, and it will pair well with food.
Bordeaux (France) – This should be your standard full-bodied Bordeaux blend, it will be heavy but have a smooth finish. This is all I want to drink in the winter in front of a fire…
Pinot Noir (France) – This is a lighter red, should be great for sipping all night.
Pinot Grigio (Italy) – Great dry white wine with citrus notes, will be lighter than the Chardonnay.
Vinho Verde (Portugal) – Not the most common varietal, but one of my favorite wines. It’s fizzy, light, and crisp – almost like drinking Champagne. (I usually drink this in Summer, tho…)
Sauvignon Blanc (France) – Easy drinking white wine, usually has fruity notes like peach (rather than citrus like the PG). Will be a hint sweeter than the PG, but not too sweet.
I hate to say it, but for your winter wedding I would probably eliminate the Vinho Verde and sub in a medium-body Italian Chianti or French Burgundy (since you have a European theme going on). Or you could throw everyone a loop and go for an Argentinian Malbec! Good luck, and Cheers!
I speak vodkas, tequilas, brandys, whiskeys, rums, mixed drinks, and the occasional beer. Wines and champagnes, I once watched a movie about wine.
I really like the selection of beer/wine you have there. We just take what the venue offers, I don’t think we get to personalise it!
The Love is almost mandatory for Charlottesville weddings! We had it at ours…and we had the brewmaster there, too. Unfortunately, it went so quickly, he didn’t get any of his own beer!
Mrs. Gray Wolf, Washington DC Age and Occupation: 26, Business Development Executive Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Research Scientist Engagement Date: November 11, 2011 Wedding Date: February 2013 Venue: Whittemore House About Me: I'm an ultra-organized, pun-loving, list-making, cheese-enthusiast bride-to-be. Although my day job is in cubicle land, I'm happiest in the modern art wing of a museum, having recently earned my Masters in Museum Studies. Shortly after a chance meeting five years ago, I moved in with Wolfman and haven't looked back since. We love music, movies, TV, and all things pop culture; we have an unspoken competition to be the first to share the latest YouTube sensation or indie song. Together, we've filled quite a few pages in our passports, but also love quiet nights in with a Game of Thrones marathon and our French Bulldog, Tonks (Harry Potter, anyone?). I'm planning a small, cozy winter wedding---think mercury glass and candle light---in the heart of DC. Our venue is a historic home with a lot of political charm, but needs a bit of work to be wedding-ready.
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