There’s nothing like celebrating the happiness of a loved one- and of course, an open bar never hurts either. For most wedding-goers, the reception is often just as important as the ceremony itself; it’s a chance to catch up with old friends, to dance the night away, and to toast to the new couple. So whilst you’re raising a glass, why not treat your tastebuds and try something new? Let’s face it- it’s going to be a long day, and your mouth deserves a respite from yet another glass of champagne. Whether you like your drinks strong or smooth, sweet or sharp, here at City Matters we’ve compiled the perfect selection of drinks that will leave you saying “I do”.
We’ve got something old, something new, something borrowed, and with any luck, something for you.
Le Rosé Creation
A promise of shared moments, Le Rosé Création is a truly versatile cuvée. Its subtle floral and fruity notes (strawberry, redcurrant and pomelo) make this a rosé champagne to share with family and friends, for aperitifs, sunny lunches and long summer evenings. Le Rosé Création 67 can paired with a variety of summer dishes. Matching wonderfully with a salmon salad with grilled peaches, barbequed spatchcock chicken, or the quintessential British summer indulgence, strawberries and cream.
75cl RRP £49.00, 1500cl RRP £110.00
Champagne Lanson
Ukiyo Tokyo Dry Gin
Traditionally distilled in copper pot stills, its high-quality Japanese ingredients include native rice, alongside 5 native Japanese botanicals found in the country’s mountains and coastlines – yuzu peel, mikan peel, sakura flower, sakura leaf, and sansho pepper. These Japanese botanicals are further complemented by seven traditional gin botanicals including juniper, pepper, coriander, angelica root, lemon peel, cardamom and rosemary.
Available at leading online retailers including Spiritly, The Whiskey Exchange, The Bottle Club and Amazon.
Jawbox Small Batch Gin
The name ‘Jawbox’ comes from the local nickname for the famous Belfast sink, a focal point of many kitchens in the city’s Victorian golden age and a lasting symbol of the city’s great manufacturing outputs in the early 1900s. A lot of laughter and craic was heard around the Jawbox.
Spiritly, Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange and Amazon
G.H Mumm Cordon Rouge
Fresh, fruity and elegant this is the perfect drink for celebrating. Aged for a minimum of 20 months in Maison Mumm’s cellar, this wine is ideal as an aperitif among friends or a Sunday brunch –those moments when everything simply clicks and positive energy flows: real friends sharing real talk, everyone at ease in a joyful, convivial atmosphere.
Sainsbury’s
A wine to cellar and enjoy on future anniversaries given its ageing potential goes into the decades is Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz. Often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’ due to some components being aged in the same barrels that housed the previous year’s vintage of Penfolds Grange – one of the most revered wines in the world – Penfolds Bin 389 perfectly exemplifies Penfolds renowned ‘house style’ and has become one of the most collected wines in the world, thanks to its extensive ageing potential.
Penfolds Bin 389 is available from various retailers, including Majestic and Waitrose, RRP £60.
Vera Wang x Chopin
With the 2024 wedding season fast approaching, brides and grooms-to-be are looking for ways to impart luxury to their special day. From elevating their drink offering with expertly crafted cocktails to creating a sophisticated monochrome look, the Vera Wang x Chopin vodka has all the assets to make one’s celebration stylish and memorable.
Vera Wang x Chopin Vodka – 70cl, 40% ABV – RRP £130 is available nationwide at Amazon, Harvey Nichols, and The Whisky Exchange.
Langham Corallian Classic Cuvée NV
Highly acclaimed Langham Wine Estate has released its newest edition of Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, a Chardonnay-dominant blend named after the coral-rich limestone rock strata found 300 metres beneath the vineyard at Crawthorne Farm.
Available from langhamwine.co.uk, £31.95
Bathtub Gin Miso, Black Cardamom & Pine
A superbly savoury offering from Bathtub Gin with an intriguing addition of smoky black cardamom, pine, and miso! A combination you don’t see every day, let alone in a gin. But something special happens when these botanicals meet, with the award-winning, cold-compounded gin being taken to new, umami-laden heights. This dry, unsweetened expression is a cracking gin for a Dirty Martini. View tasting notes and buy here
NEVER SAY DIE CASK STRENGTH – BARREL 8
Never Say Die Bourbon, inspired by the legendary racehorse of the same name, is the first ever to journey across the Atlantic from Kentucky, where it is distilled, to be further matured at White Peak Distillery in Derbyshire, England, imparting it with a uniquely British character.
ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto
700ml – 20% ABV, RRP: £31.50
Available from Waitrose, Ocado, The Whisky Exchange and Amazon
Savoia Americano
500ml – 18.6% ABV, RRP: £21.95
Available from The Whisky Exchange, Amazon and ItalSpirits
Savoia Orancio
500ml – 17.2% ABV, RRP: £21.95
Available from The Whisky Exchange, Amazon and ItalSpirits
For the latest headlines from the City of London and beyond, follow City Matters on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
