What you need: Wines that have wide appeal without being naff.
Where to look: France tops of the list. Now that so many tasty, affordable wines are being produced (especially in the south and south-west), you can cash in on decent value as well as the prestige image that France has always retained.
Next in line: Spain has exciting possibilities - from regions less hyped than Rioja. Great for those who feel like striking out a bit.
And then? The New World also has wedding fans - but be careful. Some guests may not be impressed by Chile (too everyday), Argentina (not yet widely recognised as a source of quality) or Australia (too many big brands). South Africa may be safer. New Zealand has a smart image but will probably cost a bit more.
BEST WHITES
Unoaked Chardonnay (maybe a nice Macon?)
Sauvignon Blanc (thousands to choose from)
Sauvignon blends (from Bordeaux or Rueda)
Côtes de Gascogne (fruity, fresh and great value)
BEST REDS
Côtes du Rhône (rich, round and goes with different foods)
Beaujolais-Villages (Fleurie impresses, for some reason)
New World or Southern French Pinot Noir (soft and food-friendly)
Spanish reds beyond Rioja (maybe Navarra or Penedès)
BEST SPARKLERS
Good champagne if you can afford it
A sassy New World sparkler if you can't - Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
BEWARE, BEWARE
Oaked Chardonnay (too heavy to sip before the food comes)
Riesling (too many people still view it with suspicion)
Red Bordeaux (OK with lamb or beef but not with chicken or fish, and austere by itself)
Red Burgundy (expensive and has high acidity, so some people find it bitter)
Chianti (the same acidity problem: not everybody likes the bitter cherry bite)
SAFE COUPLES TO BUY YOURSELF
If people are the slightest bit uncertain they'll always choose French, say wedding organisers. So here we go with a few French pairs you can pick up in the same place:
Oddbins
Colombelle Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne 2003.
Light, fruity, ultra-refreshing white from the southwest; the screwcap adds a modern touch. 7.49.
Labeye Cuvée Guilhem Syrah, Minervois 2001.
Recent Bottle of the Week, silky and smoky, punching way above its price. 8.99.
Wines Direct
Château Haut-Rian Bordeaux 2003. Crisp, tangy, crowd-pleasing Sauvignon-based star. €9.75.
Bergerie de l'Hortus Côteaux du Languedoc 2002. Soft southern red with juicy red summer fruit flavours. 12.10. Minimum order for all wines six bottles (which may be mixed)
O'Briens
Chanson Mâcon-Villages 2002. Classic Mâcon with hints of apples, lemon and honey - unoaked Chardonnay at its best.
Rasteau Côtes du Rhône Villages Tradition, Cave de Rasteau 2001. Rip-roaring Rhone value - a rich, punchy red with smooth edges. 10.99
CORKAGE RATES - PLAYING THE SCALE ...
HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
- Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford - €5 a bottle for still wines, 9 for sparkling wine/champagne
- Dunmore House, Clonakilty - €7 a bottle for all wines
- Maryborough House, Cork - €9 a bottle for still wines, €13 for sparkling wine/champagne
- Beaufield Mews, Stillorgan - €9 a bottle for still wines, 17 for sparkling wine/champagne
- Wineport Lodge, Glasson, Co Westmeath - 10 a bottle for still wines, €15 for sparkling wine/champagne
- Kinnitty Castle, Co Offaly - €12.70 a bottle for still wines, 19.05 for sparkling wine/champagne
- Barberstown Castle, Co Kildare - €12 a bottle for still wines, €24 for sparkling wine/champagne
- Castle Durrow, Co Laois - €15 a bottle for still wines, 25 for sparkling wine/champagne (by special arrangement, corkage not offered to all)
- Mount Juliet Conrad, Thomastown - €20 a bottle for all wines
- Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin - €26 a bottle for still and sparkling wines, €45 for champagne
CATERERS
- Unique Dining - no corkage
- Claire Hanley Catering (Kings Inns and elsewhere) - 10 a bottle for all wines
- With Taste Banqueting - €10 a bottle for still wines, 15 for sparkling wine/champagne
- Fitzers (Powerscourt House and elsewhere) - 15 a bottle for still wines, €20 for sparkling, 25 for champagne
- Master Chefs - 15 a bottle + 21 per cent VAT for still wines, €20 + VAT for sparkling wine/champagne mdowey@irish-times.ie