Choosing the right wine for your reception doesn't have to be scary. You don't have to be a wine expert to make good choices. A good tasting wine can elevate the food at your reception and it doesn't have to be as expensive as you might think.
I would estimate 95% of all receptions and rehearsal dinners that I have coordinated have only served wine, champagne, and beer. Hard liquor has typically been served on a cash basis. You will need to choose a red wine and a white wine. You will have some guests that prefer a sweet wine, like a white zinfandel, a blush colored wine. The blush wine should simply be the "house" blush, as these are all inexpensive and vary little as to quality.
For a white wine, I suggest tasting the restaurant's house white wine. They may have a good quality house wine that is generally reasonably priced. Trust your own taste and the tastes of your family and if the house win e is not great, move on to a wine list for your selection. The wines on the list may be divided by country of origin (France, California, Italy) or by the grape (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc). I would suggest a Chardonnay over any other variety; as it is a great "food wine". Good Chardonnay should be dry yet have a round, fruity finish. Some of the best Chardonnay in the world are grown in California, and you can find some real bargains in the unknown labels or "boutique wines". Spend some time tasting wine from a grocery or liquor store to discover what qualities of wine you like and what labels your prefer.
Most restaurants will allow you to request a certain wine that is not on their list and they will quote you a price based on what they pay for it. Just because you pay ten dollars for a wine at the store doesn't mean you can pay a restaurant fifteen dollars. You cam estimate that a ten dollar bottle of wine from the store will generally cost thirty dollars in a fine restaurant. Restaurants have to pay a 14.5% tax to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for every bottle of wine they sell, and they try to keep the cost percentage at 25%.
My personal recommendations for American Chardonnay in the $20-$30 range are: La Crema, Cambria, Callaway, Mirassou, Columbia Crest, Rodney Strong, Chateau St. Michelle, Vichon, Hill, and J. Lohr.
If you are looking for something expensive, pick up a copy of "The Wine Spectator" and look up the ratings on labels that you know or are interested in. Just remember a wine is not judged solely on price. With some wines you are paying for a well known label and others are less expensive because they are not as widely distributed.
When selecting the red wine, I suggest going with either a Cabernet or a Merlot. These names refer to the name of the grape. Cabernet has been described as a rich, full bodied wine with hints of oak, cherry and berries. Merlot is a soft more mellow wine that has a great mass appeal, as its characteristics are not so blatant. Again, the first place to look for great Cabernets or Merlots is on the U.S.A. These two grapes are grown all over California, Washington State and Texas. Some of my favorites within this same price range are: Liberty School, Kenwood, Guenoc, Franciscan, Alexander Valley, B.V., Velverdere, Clos du Bois, Gundlach Bundschu, William Hill and Joseph Phelps.
Don't forget Texas wineries when you are tasting and selecting. There are some fine wines that are winning medals at international competitions and they are generally less expensive than California wines. Though most of the good wines come from Texas hill country a few good wines are being made right in Grapevine.
Finally, one note of caution when dealing with restaurant managers or catering directors...you will almost never be able to bring your own wine to the reception or rehearsal dinner. The T.A.B.C. permit that most restaurants carry, restricts them from allowing guests to bring alcohol of any kind into the establishment. Some restaurants may let you, but will charge you a "corkage fee" for the privilege. The restaurant is generally braking the law by doing his, yet some have a special package license which allows them to do so.
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