Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - March/April 2021 (Issue 85)

Chin, chin When it comes to big-day tipples, bubbly and weddings go hand and hand. The only problem can be which ones to choose. Cecile Bergart, wine tutor, champagne expert and owner of The Hampshire Wine School is here to help. She says, “People naturally turn to fizz as it adds a sense of occasion, an air of sophistication and overall excitement to any wedding. But, there are a few facts to note before toasting your forever after.” Deciding when and how to serve your fizz is crucial, as it will determine not only the type of bubbly you’ll need, but also the quantity. Finding your perfect bubbly is just like choosing your wedding dress; it takes a lot of trials! Taste as many different types as you can before the big day. (A champagne or a sparkling wine tasting at the Hampshire Wine School will help!) Remember that it’s perfectly fine to include several types of bubbly throughout the big day. Cava in the morning for your mimosa (the French equivalent to bucks fizz), prosecco for the welcome drinks in the early afternoon, champagne brut for the toast before the evening meal, champagne demi-sec with the cake, and some French crémant or a sparkling wine from South Africa at the bar. If you’re looking for something a bit decadent and extravagant to serve with the wedding breakfast, vintage and rosé champagnes are particularly well-suited to enjoy with food. Ultimately, it’s your taste that should prevail when selecting the drinks, so have fun finding the one! Visit www.hampshirewineschool.com A statement bar is always a great crowd-pleaser and with increased focus on sustainability and keeping things local, regional tipples will continue to be in demand. Based in the heart of Dorset, the Cherry Bar is the latest addition to Cherry Picked Hampers, specialising in providing locally sourced food and drinks. As well as a lovingly restored vintage trailer bar, they also provide rustic wooden bars for marquee and indoor weddings. “For us, it’s all about supporting other local businesses and producers, such as kraft beer and cider producers, english wines and spirits and working together closely with other catering companies,” says co-owner Laurie Griffin. Visit www.cherrybar.co.uk CATERING 63