This is an outdoor affair with approximately 100 guests. The weather in southern Indiana is anyone's guess. The food will be barbecue with corn, mac and cheese, green beans and a with a rustic setting. The beer is from a local brewer. Any suggestions specific or general advice appreciated. Past experiences gratefully accepted.

It would be nice to hit a balancing point between quality and cost.

Red

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There are a lot of good chardonnays and pinot grigios out there with a general rule of 'spend at least $15 on a 1.5 liter bottle and you'll avoid most of the garbage.
Too many great pinot gris/grigio from Italy . Too many to name one.
There are some wonderful chardonnays from Sonoma right now, my favorite ( for special occasions ) being Sonoma-Cutrer's Russian River
A lot of smooth bold pinot noirs from Sonoma too. Some of the really great ones are $50 a pop, but, again, $15/$20 a bottle gets you out of foul territory and there is some good low priced ones too. Mark West isn't too bad for the price.

Don't do two buck chuck at a wedding, please.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2016 08:57AM by billb.

Don't do two buck chuck at a wedding, please.

This. the $2 chuck has its place and purpose, but not at a wedding. good for cooking, for a casual glass of wine in the evening, but not at a wedding. don't go cheap. unless you plan to redo the wedding at some point in the future (not recommended).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2016 09:08AM by space-time.

Appreciate the advice. I am not a wine person so thought I would run in to some knowledge here on the forum. Cost is an issue but not willing to cheap out with awful. Thus this post.

Whatever costco has cheapest. People will never know the difference.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

I would consider boxed wine for a great balance of cost and quality. While red would go best with steaks or burgers, I would also offer a white.

These wines should be available in the midwest:

Bota Box Cabernet - [www.botabox.com]
Bota Box Malbec - [www.botabox.com]

Bota Box Pinot Grigio - [www.botabox.com]
Black Box Sauvignon Blanc - [www.blackboxwines.com]

Sarah

I recommend having both white and red, and a white on the sweeter side, like a nice crisp Riesling. (Chateau St Michelle makes some nice ones and you should find them at Costco) Chardonnay is a crowd pleaser but to me doesn't go with BBQ. Probably want two varieties each in red and white and that plus beer should suit everyone.
BBQ is a tricky thing to mix with wine; the best type depends on the type of sauce (vinegar or tomato based). For the red, a Ravenswood Zinfandel or a Shiraz from Australia would be good, and reasonably priced.

I recommend having a little tasting party with several bottles and see what your friends like best.

PS: Sounds like a really fun wedding, congrats to the happy couple and enjoy!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2016 10:22AM by Lemon Drop.

Target has some nice boxed wines. They are available in smaller containers to try before loading up on the larger ones for the party, and you could provide an assortment.

But for my tastes, champagne goes with everything...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2016 10:38AM by A-Polly.

Thanks for the feedback!

Quote
FormerlySaleenl
I would consider boxed wine for a great balance of cost and quality. While red would go best with steaks or burgers, I would also offer a white.

These wines should be available in the midwest:

Bota Box Cabernet - [www.botabox.com]
Bota Box Malbec - [www.botabox.com]

Bota Box Pinot Grigio - [www.botabox.com]
Black Box Sauvignon Blanc - [www.blackboxwines.com]

Sarah

.....this......boxed wine has become more acceptable and quality has gotten better....this is a wedding but you said BBQ, so less 'formal' and should work....and price is good also...

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Lemon Drop
...a white on the sweeter side, like a nice crisp Riesling. (Chateau St Michelle makes some nice ones and you should find them at Costco)

I agree, and the Chateau St. Michelle stuff is readily available everywhere in this general area (I'm in Cincinnati)...Kroger, Meijer, wholesale clubs, etc. I prefer their Gewurztraminer to their "normal" Reisling, and both are in the $10 range.

However, my favorite Reisling for that price is by far the Von Wilhelm Haus Spätlese in the frosted blue bottle, which will be more difficult to locate. I always get it at Jungle Jim's, but I have never seen it at any of the grocery or wholesale chains.

Always a winner is Ch. St. Michelle's Savignon Blanc. TJ sells it at around $7-$8. Another solid winery is Yellow Tail from Australia.
Have a tasting asap as you want the goods before the wedding.
Check out the "cheap wine reviews" sites also.
Here's one. [wine.about.com]

Umm, semi-obvious question, same as I put to anyone buying Mac hardware or software:

What's your budget?

Rosé goes well with the outdoors...




D. Lawson has good advice. You will have to think about chilling a Riesling or most any white with the exception of a chardonnay.

I'd recommend a pinot noir. Be sure to taste any of these or take along someone who knows wine. Perhaps find a local wine tasting to sample, too.

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Hurts like a bastid...

Second for a Pinot Grig. Good all around wine.

BTW, recommending specific brands or vineyards is somewhat worthless - many are based on the distribution area and may not be available everywhere.

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Hurts like a bastid...

Budget, I would like to stay within 7 to 15 bucks a bottle if possible. It is rustic so outdoor stone shelter (if raining) and fire pit if cool out. Beer is locally produced from Upland Brewery, a mix of Wheat, IPA, Pilsner and Stouts as well as some ciders for our gluten free friends. We will definitely check out the names mentioned and thanks for the wine site(s).

Since you are serving local beer, maybe look at local wines as well:

[www.indianauplands.com]

Have a wine-tasting field trip.

Thanks, we have been trying the Oliver wines, among others. Probably will go regional depending on taste and availability but it is nice to get some other recommendations to try out, so I appreciate all of the info. Need to get educated.

Another regional option is Elk Creek just across the river in Owenton, KY, but their best offering (the gewurztraminer, in my opinion) is unfortunately out of your price range.

Thanks for the suggestion