You Uncork it You Own It? (Wine That Is)

[hAm53]

Since my bride and I are hosting our wedding dinner at the Cali Grill for two dozen of our friends, we're gonna be needing more than a few bottles of wine (and some Anchor Steam for me and the couple beer drinkers that'll be with us). We figure it'll be cheaper to order a few bottles than have everyone order by the glass. Would it be tacky if we did this instead of having people order by the glass. We'd probably go with a bubbly white and a red, but frankly we know squalt about wine. All we know is that we don't wanna spend 40 bucks per bottle. 35 is fine, but 40 is a bit pricey (I guess i'm showing my age here). Any suggestions on what we should look for?
What happens if we have a couple of partially filled bottles remaing after dinner. Since we did buy them after all, are they ours to keep (and polish off later that night), or do we need to finish them before leaving.
Again, sorry for sounding like the uncivilized non-socialite that I am, but I drink beer. All wine tastes like nail polish remover to me.

 

[BCV23]

I don't think it is tacky at all to select the wines for your guests. Really, I think it is the norm.

I also think you will have no problem taking any unfinished bottles with you. We have never hosted a group at WDW but have been able to take an unfinished bottle with us from more than one fine dining spot at WDW. They will cork it for you. You shouldn't drive with it in the passenger part of your car but I imagine that is not in your plans anyway.

Can't help with selection or price as my DH takes care of both. But I would think you can get some excellent advice from CG. Every server we've had there is very knowledgable about the wine selection.

 

[nwdisgal]

Talk to the sommelier at CG (if they have one) or the resident wine expert about some nice wines that will go the variety of meals that your guests are having. There are wines like chardonnays and pinot noirs that are pretty versatile and compliment many different types of dishes. Good luck with it!

 

[Threehearts]

I think that it is in excellent taste and shows a bright mind in that you are concerned about wine choices and pricing. There is something so refreshing about someone asking advice as nicely as you did and I agree with the previous posters. We usually host a holiday cocktail party and buffet at my home for about 110-120 people but this year we had too much going on and so we hosted a private dinner at McCormick and Schmick's, the seafood restaurant. We chose a red, a white and a lovely champagne. We consulted with the wine advisor at the restaurant, the week before our dinner and he helped me choose from a blindingly long wine list. My problem is that I am a champagne and white wine drinker but rarely drink reds so am not a good person to make those decisions. I was honest with the advisor about what I wanted to spend(they've heard very high and very low liquor budgets so don't worry) and he helped me to make excellent choices. Have fun with the process. Your fiance is lucky to have you. Threehearts(Susan)

 

[JodyTG]

First of all, congratulations on your marriage. I have found that expensive doesn't necessarily mean good. My husband and I have two favorite wines and neither of them are expensive. One is actually considered cheap wine and that's Lambrusco by Riunite. It's a slightly sparkling red wine (served chilled, I don't do the room temp thing). Most red wines (almost all) are served at room temperature and it usually takes a lover of wine to enjoy them.

Our other favorite wine is pretty much any German Riesling. It's a white wine and just seems to have the best flavor and bouquet. In my opinion, German wine is just the best, followed by Italian. We don't drink California wines. They're just too bitter. Also, stay away from white zinfandel...it's been done to death.

So...here's my opinion...get a nice German Riesling, it goes with pretty much any food and very rarely is it expensive. Good luck and best wishes to you on your wedding and honeymoon.

All we know is that we don't wanna spend 40 bucks per bottle. 35 is fine, but 40 is a bit pricey (I guess i'm showing my age here). Any suggestions on what we should look for?QUOTE]

 

[4orm]

When we got married in WDW they corked our champagne and gave it to us before we could even ask. Most CMs are great and will do most anything (within reason) for you. I'd give the Cali Grill a phone call and have them email or fax their wine list to you. They do have a good one. The waiter we had last year was extreamly helpful with my wine snob of a husband

 

[Docsknotinn]

I would agree with everyone else. Ordering by the bottle especially on a event like this is the norm. The only thing I would say different is that you may or may not be allowed to take left over wine. Most restaurants do not have a stand alone liquer license so it is illigal for take outs on alcahol. While I would expect the norm is to please the guest just be aware that they may not allow you to take it. Typically your guests will cure this problem for you anyhow ! If you do drive do not take a re-corked bottle. Once the seal is broken its a open container. That's the very last thing you need on a happy occasion.

 

[boucheresq]

I would personally not pick a wine until I knew what food was being served - the wine should coordinate with the food. For example, reds like cabernet savignon or merlot are better for beef. Whites such as chardonnay and pinot grigio go better with fish, seafood and chicken. Although I like riesling, I find it to be a sweeter wine which coordinates better with desserts. I would definitely request California Grill's help and definitely do not be embarrassed to tell them your price requirements - this is a very normal thing to do.

Congrats on your marriage and have a wonderful time!

 

[LauraLea]

Yes, WDW restaurants will re-cork a bottle and even put in a Mickey Mouse wine gift box for you. It has been done for DH and I on several occasions. It is very nice to take it back to the room and have one last nightcap before bed.

Laura

 

[hAm53]

luckily our ceremony is at sunset pointe at the poly, so we'll take the monorail to the contemp for dinner, then back to the poly (home base for the week).
thanks for all the advice on the wines. and glad to hear that its not looked down upon to orde a couple bottels for the table. like i said earlier i'm totally clueless on that stuff.
i spoke with the manager of the cali grill through our wedding planner (WDW gives you one with whatever level package you get. its not like, oh you have a wedding planner . . . you must be rich. i get that a lot from people) and we'll be speaking again in june at our 90 day mark. i'll let her know about my wine-ignorace then. plus they better still have anchor steam for me.
thanks again! and if you have any more advice, i'm all ears.

 

[ducklite]

What you might want to do is call ahead and speak to Ray at the bar or the restaurant manager. Tell them you'd like a bottle of Pinot Grigio, a bottle of chardonay, a bottle of merlot or a cab, a bottle of shiraz and a white zif. Let them know that you would like to keep the price around $35 a bottle. (That's going to be tough to get a decent wine, btw) Hve teh server keep an eye and whateer seems to be moving, they can bring another bottle of that during the meal.

Have the wine on the table when you all arrive to keep it simple. With two dozen guests you'll probably want 6-7 bottles of wine. You generally get 4-5 glasses out of a bottle, and most people will have two glasses over dinner.

By having the wine on the table when you arrive, it will send the signal to your guests that this is the alcohol being offered for the meal.

Anne

 

[jeepgirl30]

Wine, my favorite topic!

I have organized many corporate dinners. I have learned to pre select wines by the bottle for several reasons. Good wine does not have to be expensive but if you let a sales rep order they try to impress by going with the most expensive. Also, if you don't act like you have confidence, they sometimes try and sell you a wine that isn't moving.

I would pick one white and one red, order a few bottles of each. If you get too much variety it will be confusing. If you want to open it up a bit and know the people attending drink wine go for one white and 2 types of Red.

If you would like some personal recommendations please send me a pm and I'll give you my email to exchange. I'm not an expert but I am a wine lover! I also not wealthy so can give you suggestions in your range

 

[Micca]

I just wanted to second the the idea that there won't be any wine left. When alcohol is free, people seem to consume to the limit.

Congratulations on your wedding. Sounds like a great party. I'd try to crash the party but I'm a beer drinker too.

 

[Andy123]

WDW has the largest collection of certified Sommeliers of any resort in the world, and now has a Master Sommelier running the beverages for the entire resort. Call them and ask... they will be able to recommend something perfect that goes with their food.

 

[nwdisgal]

Sommeliers are rare these days- what a great opportunity to have so many at WDW. Let them know what your price range is, and they can come up with some good ideas that will fit your budget, as well as suggestions that will go pair well with your menu...

 

[Uncleromulus]

Ham:
They've had Anchor Steam every time I've eaten at CG. THo once in awhile I'll get a Sierra Nevada Pale instead. Last trip they had Kirin, which isn't too bad. Unfortunately for beer drinkers (like us!!) wine seems to get the nod at virtually all WDW restaurants. Good beer has to be looked for. You know you are in trouble when you have to ask what beer they have, and the server begins with "BUD Light"

 

[magicmouse2]

My favorite wines are Californian though I am looking forward to trying a nice bottle with a meal at Jiko on our next trip. DH is a beer fan too. He reckons all wine tastes like vinegar. When I ask him to bring a bottle of white in at the weekend, it is scary what he wil bring!! If its rubbish I drink his Budweiser, and leave the wine. I have never had bad wine at WDW. Even the lowere priced stuff seems carefuly selected. Talk to the restaurant I am sure they will be happy to help you. I would even dare ask for a discount!

 

[Docsknotinn]

One idea that might help you is to try a few bottles before you go to help you learn what you might like. I would not order more than two reds and two whites until you see what your guests prefer. You may find that you buy 4 reds and only 1 white. Keep it simple. Avoid multiple types and labels. This will help keep the stemware and clutter down on the table. I would also say it is very common to tell the host no mixed drinks for guests. Wine and beer only. Mixed drinks for a party will send you to the poor house in a hurry. I would also let them know in advance NOT to pour for everyone. If you have two dozen guests you may have six who don't drink and another six who prefer beer. Simplicity often contributes to a elegant and smooth party. Another idea you might consider is getting a copy of the wine list and posting the selection in your price range so we might be able to give you some better feedback on select labels. Best Wishes !

 

[mochabean]

When we had our wedding at WDW, we selected wines for the reception and somewhere in the details it said we would pay for a maximum of x bottles of wine, and if guests wanted more the service staff was instructed to ask us first (so we wouldn't get hit with a huge additional bill at the end). Luckily it didn't come to that. I think we ended up being under by a bottle or two and got credited. So if you are working through your wedding coordinator for this dinner, they should probably be able to arrange something like that.

BTW, aren't wedding coordinators great! We loved ours!