The Art of Wine Pairing for Weddings in Any Season

There’s so much to think of when planning a wedding and its menu, whether you have a planner or you’re doing it all yourself. It’s easy for the little details to slip through the cracks. Don’t worry – we have your back, ensuring you have everything on lock for your special day, even down to the perfect choice of wine, whether it’s some celebratory bubbly or the perfect accompaniment to your reception meal.

Red Wines to Make a Meal of

Every wedding deserves at least one good red wine. The best red wines are known for their balanced flavors, the perfect combination of tannin, acidity, alcohol, and sugar. This robust quality is great on its own and paired with a formal dinner. 

Red meat and red wine are a match made in heaven, so if you’re planning a meaty main course, then this is where you’ll want to focus your wedding’s wine pairings. For the rich, delicate flavor of lamb, you might decide to splash out and spoil your guests with the 2019 Chateau Rothschild “Le Petit Mouton” Pauillac. A good Pinot Noir is your friend here, too, a versatile pairing for just about any style of lamb dish and always a crowd-pleaser. 

For steak and winter dishes, like stews, a Cabernet Sauvignon’s bold flavors provide a delicious complement. It cuts through the fat of any dish, cleansing your palate so that the last bite is as delicious as the first. Go international with the 2022 Natura Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, or choose a California Cabernet from our extensive collection.

A Touch of White Wine Sophistication

At any event, your red wine should always be accompanied by a white. Generally a little lighter and fruitier than their red counterparts, white wines are a crisp, delicate counterpoint to fish, seafood, poultry, and other lighter fare. Stay away from the very sweet varieties lest they overwhelm the palate. For events, a light, fresh Sauvignon Blanc is often a top choice as it appeals to most palates and pairs well with a variety of dishes.

In terms of wedding wines, the subtle creaminess of a Chardonnay is usually a winner, pairing effortlessly with a chicken or fish-based wedding menu. The 2021 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay has a fantastic balance of fruity apple notes and a refreshing acidity that is the perfect counterpoint to a buttery salmon. It works well with poultry, creamy pasta, and pork dishes, too.

Get Fizzy With Sparkling Wine & Champagne

What’s a celebration without some bubbles? Whether it’s real French champagne or sparkling wine, this is a classic choice to include in your wedding drink menu, whether at cocktail hour or at the reception (or both!). Apart from its signature role in the toasts, it also pairs well with appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. 

Matching the sweetness of your champagne to the food on offer is a recipe for getting your evening off to the best possible start. Brut champagnes are generally dryer, while sec indicates the sweeter end of the spectrum. Like other white wines, they work well with seafood, but they’re perfectly capable of elevating just about anything.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

FOUR-COURSE PRE-FIXE DINNER

$110++

SPECIAL FEATURES

Champagne - Korbel Brut, California - 17.

Chocolate Espresso Martini - 13.

Vodka, Espresso, Chocolate Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur

CHEF’S SELECTION

APPETIZERS

SMOKED SALMON MOUSSE

Crispy Capers, Dill, Shallot, Pumpernickel Crostini, Lemon

WAGYU BEEF TARTAR

Dijon Aioli, Cornichons, Crispy Shallots, Herbs, Brioche

NEW HAMPSHIRE CHEESE BOARD

Brookford Farm Gouda, Bell & Goose Camembert, Local Honey, Fig & Apple, Walnuts, Crostini

STUFFED QUAHOG CLAMS

Corn Bread, Chorizo, Peppers, Scallion, Tomato Butter

ROASTED TOMATO RISOTTO

Basil Pistou, Crispy Artichoke Hearts

DUNK'S MUSHROOM BISQUE

Crème Fraîche, Pancetta Bread Crumbs

SALADS

RED LITTLE GEM

Roasted Squash, Toasted Pepitas, Ricotta Salata, Dried Cherries, Green Goddess Dressing

WATERCRESS & SORREL

Fennel, Winter Citrus, Toasted Cashews, Aleppo & Sesame Vinaigrette

ENTRÉES

GRILLED FILET MIGNON

Sour Cream & Chive Whipped Potato, Shaved Brussel Sprots with Bacon, Truffle Butter, Black Pepper Crispy Onions, Red Wine Demi-Glace

Cabernet Sauvignon – Daou , Pasa Robles 6oz. 17

PAN SEARED NEW BEDFORD SEA SCALLOPS

Anson Mills Polenta, Charred Corn, Braised Kale, House Bacon, Cipollini Onions

Sauvignon Blanc – Craggy Range, Martinborough 6oz. 15

CIDER BRAISED VOLCANO PORK SHANK

Kabocha Squash Purée, Haricot Verts, Apple, Cider Jus

Rosé – Miraval “Studio”, Provence 6oz. 17

ICELANDIC COD LOIN

Miso Dashi Broth, Basmati Rice, Snow Peas, Bell Pepper, Carrot, Edamame, Hon Shimeji Mushrooms, Radish, Chive Oil

Chardonnay – Ferrari- Carano, Alexander Valley 6oz. 16

TEA SMOKED LONG ISLAND DUCK BREAST

Brown Butter Sweet Potato, Dunks Mushrooms, Asparagus, Bergamot Gastrique

Zinfandel – Seghesio, Sonoma County 6oz. 15

EGGPLANT NAPOLEAN

Crispy Eggplant, Spinach, Tomato, Ricotta, Pomodoro Sauce, Basil, Arugula, Parmesan

Pinot Noir – Leese-Fitch, California 6oz. 12

DESSERTS

GINGERBREAD BREAD PUDDING

Orange Ice Cream, Chantilly, Cranberry Coulis, Candied Cranberries

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT MOUSSE

Chocolate Cookie Soil, Toasted Meringue, Crushed Peppermint, Hot Fudge

VANILLA BEAN CRÈME BRÛLÉE

Shortbread Cookie, Caramel Mousse

TIRAMISU BOMBE

Traditional Filling, Sponge Cake, Coffee Syrup, Chocolate Sauce, Coffee Anglaise,

 Chocolate Garnish

APPLE TART

Spiced Apple Filling, Caramel Sauce, Chantilly

CHRISTMAS EVE

FOUR-COURSE PRE-FIXE DINNER

$125++ Per Adult, $75++ Per Child 10 & Under

AMUSE-BOUCHE

CHEF’S SELECTION

APPETIZERS

FRIED TOMATO NAPOLEAN

Basil Pesto, Whipped Ricotta, Crispy Pancetta, Frisée

LOBSTER & PEA RISOTTO

Herbed Parmesan Frico, Prosciutto

TEMPURA OCTOPUS

Fingerling Potato, Pickled Peppers, Castelvetrano Olives, Basil Aioli, Arugula

ASPARAGUS BISQUE

Crème Fraîche, Chives

DUCK RILLETTE

Figs, Apple, Brioche, House Dijon

BLACK GARLIC FRENCH ONION SOUP

Gruyère, Focaccia Croutons, Chive

SALADS

LOCAL KALE

Delicata Squash, Pomegranate Seeds, Toasted Pistachio, Chèvre, Red Wine Vinaigrette

ARUGULA & FRISÉE

Black Pepper Brioche Croutons, Herbs, Lemon Parmesan Dressing

ENTRÉES

GRILLED FILET MIGNON

Roasted Garlic Pommes Purée, Broccolini, Watercress Red Wine Demi-Glace, Herb Butter

NORTH COUNTRY SMOKE HOUSE HAM

Bourbon Glaze, Sweet Potato Purée, Ham Hock Braised Collard Greens

HERB GRILLED SWORDFISH LOIN

Roasted Cauliflower, Sundried Tomato, Toasted Farro, Lemon Caper Butter

PORT BRAISED SHORT RIB

Fontina Polenta, Dunks Mushrooms, Haricot Verts, Port Wine Jus

RICOTTA CAVATELLI

Romanesco Sauce, Wild Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic, Hazelnuts, Basil

NEW ENGLAND SEAFOOD POT-AU-FEU

Jumbo Shrimp, New Bedford Sea Scallops, Maine Dutch Style Mussels, Whitefish, Tomato Saffron Broth, Shaved Fennel Salad

DESSERTS

GRAND DESSERT BUFFET IN THE GREAT HALL

THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER MENU

FOUR-COURSE PRE-FIXE DINNER

$110++ for Adults and $65++ for Children 10 and under

AMUSE-BOUCHE

CHEF’S SELECTION

APPETIZERS

CAPE COD OYSTERS

Blood Orange Mignonette, Chive, Citrus

MAPLE BROOK FARM BURRATA

Grilled Focaccia, Fig, Walnuts, Mizuna, Balsamic Reduction, Basil

CELERIAC BISQUE

Black Pepper Hazelnuts, Celery Leaves, Smoked Olive Oil

MAPLE GLAZED PORK BELLY

Sea Island Rice Peas, Savory Pork Broth, Dunks Mushrooms, Scallions

SWISS CHARD GNUDI

Brown Butter, Cider, Fennel & Apple, Crispy Benton’s Ham

CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE

Sourdough, Pickled Shallots, Herbs, House Dijon, Pomegranate Seeds

SALADS

HARVEST SALAD

Red Watercress, Radicchio, Spinach, Roasted Squash, Local Beets, Walnuts, Cider Vinaigrette

BOSTON BIBB

Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, Pickled Red Onion, Herbed Boule Crumbs, Chervil Yogurt

ENTRÉES

MISTY KNOLL FARMS TURKEY

Free Range Turkey, Sausage Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes,
Butternut Squash, Giblet Gravy

GRILLED FILET MIGNON

Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Asparagus, Sundried Tomato Butter, Red Wine Demi-Glace, Watercress

ICELANDIC COD LOIN

Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Garlic Haricot Verts, Puttanesca Sauce

SMOKED DUROC PORK LOIN

Spinach Spaetzle, Cider Braised Local Cabbage, Pickled Citrus, Sorrel

SQUASH RISOTTO

Roasted Delicata Squash, Lacinato Kale, Fontina Cheese, Toasted Sunflower Seed Pesto, Crispy Sage

PAN ROASTED ARTIC CHAR

Herbed Quinoa, Golden Raisins, Pine Nuts, Haricot Vert, Blood Orange Beurre Blanc, Shaved Fennel & Citrus Salad

DESSERTS

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING

Pumpkin Bread, Custard, Spiced Ice Cream, Vanilla Anglaise

MAPLE CRÈME BRÛLÉE

Candied Pecans, Chantilly

NEW ENGLAND APPLE PIE

Spice Apple Filling, Brown Butter Oat Crumble, Vanilla Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

Pomegranate Mousse, Pomegranate Seeds, Chantilly

BOURBON POACHED PEAR

Vanilla Bourbon Syrup, Mascarpone Cream, Oat Granola, Cherry

EASTER DINNER

THREE-COURSE PRE-FIXE DINNER

$79++ for Adults and $42++ for Children 12 and Under

FIRST COURSE

LOCAL POTATO & LEEK SOUP

Chive Oil, Crème Fraîche, Chervil

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Traditional Recipe, Chives

POACHED PEAR SALAD

Arugula, Red Watercress, Crumbled Buttermilk Blue Cheese, Black Pepper Walnuts, Lemon Honey Vinaigrette

CRISPY TOMATO NAPOLEON

Herbed Ricotta, Arugula Pesto, Crispy Pancetta, Basil

ENTRÉES

GRILLED TOURNEDOS OF BEEF

Roasted Garlic Pommes Purée, Spring Asparagus, Watercress, Crispy Onion, Red Wine Demi-Glace

NOVA SCOTIA DAY BOAT HALIBUT

Spring Pea Purée, Potato Latkes, Herb Roasted Baby Carrots, Tarragon Cream

SMOKED NORTH COUNTRY HAM

Green Bean Casserole, Potato Gratin, Golden Raisin Sauce, Herb & Cheddar Biscuit

BRAISED LAMB SHANK

Anson Mills Creamy Polenta, Dunk’s Mushrooms, English Peas, Mint Gremolata, Celery Leaves

VERNON FARMS STATLER CHICKEN

Cornbread & Andouille Stuffing, Dried Cranberry, Scallions, Haricot Verts, Glace de Poulet

HERB ROASTED CAULIFLOWER "STEAK"

Eggplant Caponata, Red Pepper Coulis, Asparagus, Kalamata Olives, Toasted Almonds

DESSERT

CARROT CAKE

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting, Caramel Sauce, Candied Carrot

LAVENDER CRÈME BRÛLÉE

Lemon Curd Cookie, Chantilly

CRÊPES SUZETTE

Blood Orange Marmalade, Mascarpone Filling, Hot Fudge

CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

Raspberry Mousse, Raspberries, Chocolate Curls

PEAR CRISP

Brown Butter Oat Topping, Cardamom Anglaise, Chantilly