So, you’re getting married in the beautiful Ottawa Valley! Congratulations! You’ve picked the perfect backdrop of rolling hills, rustic charm, and, increasingly, fantastic local wine. But now comes the question that keeps many nearlyweds up at night: What wine do we serve 200 of our closest—and possibly pickiest—friends and relatives?
Fear not, lovebirds! We’re kicking off a series to introduce you to the local superstars—our Ottawa Valley vineyards—and give you the un-snobby scoop on wedding wine production and pairing. Think of this as your designated driver through the bewildering world of bridal bubbly.
From Vine to Vow: Understanding Local Wine Production
Let’s start with a little regional schooling. The Ottawa Valley isn’t exactly the south of France, which is why our local winemakers are bona fide superheroes. They battle the Canadian winter, which means they often focus on cold-climate grapes or special techniques. This is where the magic happens!
The Cold-Hardy Heroes
Many Ottawa Valley vineyards thrive on grapes you might not know from your average grocery store bottle, but they are absolutely perfect for our climate. Think of them as the rugged, reliable members of your wedding party.
* Marquette & Frontenac: These are often the stars of the red show. They’re like the strong, silent types who will get you through the reception without complaint. They often produce wines with bright acidity and notes of cherry, plum, or a little earthiness. They’re great for a late-season or rustic fall/winter wedding.
* Vidal Blanc & Le Crescent: For the white wines, these are your refreshing, zesty crowd-pleasers. They have a lovely, lively acidity—perfect for cutting through the richness of a wedding feast. Vidal is also a key player in our glorious local Icewine, which we’ll get to in a moment.
The Art of the Sparkle
We all know no wedding is complete without bubbles! Local producers often use grapes like Frontenac Gris or Chardonnay to make excellent Sparkling Wine. Whether they use the traditional method (like Champagne) or the Charmat method, the result is a crisp, celebratory pop.
Hot Tip Alert: Your local vineyard often offers custom-labelled bottles! Imagine your guests toasting your “Happily Ever After Vintage.” It’s a fantastic personal touch and doubles as a great favour. Just remember to order way in advance—good wine takes time, much like a good marriage.
Pairing Pitfalls: Avoiding ‘Wine-Pocalypse’
Wine pairing can feel like deciphering an ancient scroll, but it’s simpler than you think. The goal is harmony, not competition.
The General Rule of Thumb (aka The Lazy Guide)
When dealing with a massive wedding menu, you don’t need a PhD in wine pairing. You just need a few dependable, middle-of-the-road options that won’t make your salmon-eating guests glare at your steak-lovers (or vice-versa).
* The “Friendly White”: Opt for a dry, medium-bodied white with bright acidity. A local, unoaked Chardonnay or a Vidal Blanc fits the bill perfectly. It’s refreshing enough for the pre-dinner mingling, and it won’t clash with chicken, fish, or even a vegetarian dish. Think of it as the guest who is friends with everyone and avoids political arguments.
* The “Flexible Red”: Choose a lighter-bodied red with low tannins, like a local Pinot Noir or a gentle Frontenac. High-tannin reds (like a heavy Cabernet Sauvignon) will taste harsh with delicate food like fish, but a lighter red is versatile enough for poultry, pork, and even a medium-rare roast beef. This is your cool cousin who can hang out with the kids and the grandparents.
Seasonal Sips: Matching the Mood to the Month
The season of your wedding has a huge impact on your menu—and should, therefore, impact your wine choices.
Spring 🌸
Fresh, Bright, New Beginnings | Sparkling Rosé (often Frontenac-based), Crisp Dry White
(i.e. Le Crescent) | Perfect for the delicate flavours of spring salads. Like a bouquet in a glass.
Summer ☀️
Refreshing, Outdoor, Patio Party | Dry Rosé (made from Frontenac or Marquette), light, zesty White | Beat the heat! Like a cold splash of reality after the ceremony.
Fall 🍂
Earthy, Rich, Comfort Food | Medium-bodied Red (e.g., Marquette), Oaked White (e.g., Barrel-Aged Vidal) | Great with roasted root vegetables and heavier sauces. Pairs well with your Aunt Linda’s famous harvest stuffing.
Winter ❄️
Cozy, Decadent, Warming | Full-bodied Red, Dessert Wine (Icewine or Late Harvest) | Stands up to heavy meats and rich desserts. A wine that screams, “I don’t care about my winter body.”
The Local Spotlight: Why Buying Local is always Best
Taste the ‘Terroir’ and Support Your Neighbour. In case you weren’t familiar with it, ‘Terroir’ is a fancy French word (pronounced tehr-wahr) for the unique combination of soil, climate, and geography that gives a wine its personality. When you choose a local Ottawa Valley wine, you are literally tasting this place. You’re giving your guests a memorable, authentic flavour of the region you chose for your special day.
More importantly, you’re supporting local businesses! These family-run operations work incredibly hard. By choosing them, you’re not just getting a great wine; you’re often getting a dedicated team willing to help you plan quantities and selections. Plus, think of the photo opportunities in a beautiful local vineyard!
Dessert’s Dignified Dance Partner: Icewine
One of the Ottawa Valley’s signature specialties is Icewine—made from grapes left on the vine to freeze naturally. It is sweet, luxurious, and concentrated. It’s the perfect way to cap off the night! The Pairing Pro-Tip: Don’t pair Icewine with a chocolate lava cake! When pairing dessert wine, the wine must be sweeter than the dessert. The delicate sweetness of Icewine shines with something less sweet, like a fruit tart, a cheese course, or, heck, just by itself. It’s so good, it doesn’t need a partner—just like you, before you met your beloved.
A Couple of Final Wine Wedding Whys
Choosing wedding wine shouldn’t be a chore, it should be an adventure. Here are a few final, slightly irreverent, tips:
* The Toast Mistake: Sure, Champagne is traditional for the toast, but have you considered a local Sparkling Rosé? It photographs better and is far more fun. Pink bubbles for a pinky-swear promise of forever!
* The Quantity Quandary: Planning wine quantity is always a wild guess, so assume your Uncle Terry will drink more than he should, and plan for roughly one-half bottle of wine per person for the dinner service. Then, add a buffer. You can always use the leftovers on your first few anniversaries!
* The Opinion Overload: Everyone has an opinion on wine. Your future mother-in-law likes a robust Cabernet, your best man only drinks Zinfandel, and your third cousin prefers box wine. Ignore them all! Choose what you and your partner like and what pairs well with the food. It’s your wedding; your wine, your rules.
Your wedding day is a celebration of love, commitment, and, for a few hours, your excellent taste in beverage selection. By tapping into the talent and terroir of the greater Ottawa Valley vineyards, you’re not just serving wine—you’re serving a delicious, authentic piece of your region. Couples have gone Cake Tasting forever … I would say Wine Tasting should definitely be part of the wedding planning process as well! On that note, if you would like to try some local wines there are a few tasting events coming up locally in the next few weeks we would be happy to share with you as well! Drop us a line at feedme@tastershub.com or theweddingedit@coylemedia.com Cheers! 🥂
Your Wedding Expert
xoxo Nandini
“Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can’t help falling in love with you.” —Elvis Presley
