FINDING THE PERFECT TUSCAN WINES FOR YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING
If your wedding is in Tuscany, you've got a lot of options when it comes to wine. But if you're planning a destination wedding, or even if you just want to incorporate some Tuscan flavor into your big day, it can be hard to know where to start.
The good news is that there are so many great wines from the area that it's easy to find one that's perfect for your event—whether you're looking for something light and bubbly for the cocktail hour (hello, Prosecco!), something robust and rich for dinner courses (we love Brunello!), or something sweet and crisp to cap off the night with dessert.
So don't panic, we've got your back! We've put together this guide for choosing the best tuscan wine for your wedding so that you can choose the perfect bottles for your special day.
For Aperitif & Toasts
If you're having a cocktail hour before your reception, then prosecco is the perfect option to cheers right after you say “I do.” It's bubbly, light and refreshing—perfect for toasting with friends and family. Prosecco is a sparkling Italian wine that is a common substitute for Champagne, as a bubbly, celebratory drink. It’s made using prosecco grapes, which add fruit notes such as melon, pear, or green apple to the wine. Another way that Prosecco and Champagne differ is the bubble. Due to the production process, Prosecco tends to have larger bubbles that dissipate faster than Champagne. This exquisite bubbly wine is perfect not only for your aperitif but also for toasts on your special day!
With Red Meat
If you're looking for something more flavorful and complex that will pair well with the meal, we recommend selecting wines from Tuscany's Chianti region. For example: Chianti Classico is made from Sangiovese grapes grown in the hills around Florence—it has a deep ruby color and a full body that's perfect for heavier meat dishes like beef or lamb chops. If you want something lighter and more refreshing, try Chianti Riserva instead—it's made from the same grapes but aged longer for an extra layer of flavor (and tannins!).
Other options for full-bodied reds that pair perfectly with red meat include Brunello di Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Barolo. These red wines are some of Tuscany’s finest and most distinguishable. Each has their own defining notes, but all taste delicious, so be sure to try them all at your tasting to see which you like best!
With Fish or Poultry
The next step is to consider what kind of poultry or fish you will be serving at your wedding dinner. If you’re serving chicken or turkey, then a red wine will work very well with those meats. If you’re serving salmon or trout, then white wine would be a better choice. White wines tend to be lighter in flavor than reds, which means they won't overpower the delicate flavors of certain poultry or fish.
San Gimignano is a white wine produced in Siena, Tuscany. The soil in this region is extremely rich in minerals, which is why this wine is so flavorful. This dry Italian wine also has a slight bitter finish, perfect for a warm day. It pairs nicely with fish or poultry, so if you decide against red meat for your rehearsal or reception dinner, this is a fantastic choice!
A note on Super Tuscan wines
Super Tuscans are wines that are made in Tuscany but fall outside of the traditional Chianti wine appellation. They can be made from any grapes and are allowed to be aged for longer than 12 months. Because of this, Super Tuscan wines tend to be lighter than their cousins made with only native grapes from Tuscany; they tend toward reds that have more fruity flavors than earthy ones. They are often lighter, fruitier and more full-bodied than traditional Chianti wines, making them ideal for pairing with poultry and fish courses.
For Dessert
From dessert wines like Moscato to liquors like Grappa, there are lots of options to pair with your dessert or after dinner digestif. Moscato is a sweet, low-alcohol sparkling white dessert wine made from the Muscat grape. It is light and fruity, with aromas of peaches, oranges, and honey, making it a safe option for dessert. Vin Santo is also considered an Italian dessert wine made from white grape varieties. Unlike moscato, however, it’s quite strong and more similar to a liqueur. Vin Santo is aged in small barrels for a minimum of three years, resulting in a sweet, amber-colored wine with a dried fruit and nutty flavor. Vin Santo is often served with biscotti, cakes and tarts. (Be sure to serve yours with some cantucci (biscotti) for dipping for a true taste of traditional Tuscany).
Digestif
After a meal, it’s time for the after-dinner drink!
The Italians also have a dizzying amount of options for digestifs, but there are two that stand out: amaro and grappa.
Amaro is a bitter Italian liqueur made from herbs, roots, and/or flowers. It’s usually served straight up and can be made with or without alcohol. The most popular amari in Italy are Fernet Branca and Averna; they're often used as a digestif after dinner. Averna is also a popular choice for cocktails because it pairs well with chocolate or coffee flavors.
Grappa is an Italian brandy made from distilled grape skins or seeds; it is typically served as an after-dinner drink as well. Grappa has been around since 13th century Italy (when it was called acquavite) so it's no surprise that this traditional spirit has remained popular throughout the years!
Discover Your Favorite Wines at Your Tasting!
It’s no secret that each wine has a unique taste and flavor profile, and each will pair differently with certain foods. This is why it’s so crucial to try a few different kinds of wines from different areas of Tuscany to see which one appeals to you most. The expert caterers we partner with will be able to tell you which regions are best for pairing with different types of food at your wedding reception. Now that you've learned how to find the perfect Tuscan wine for your wedding, it's time to taste-test and select the best. We hope this guide has helped you, and we wish you all the best in your search!