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Fresh flowers decorate the grand room in the town hall. The sun light streams in through the tall French doors and casts a magical glow on the couple as they stand in front of their guests exchanging their declarations of love. After the vows, the newly married couple walk out through the open French doors onto the balcony and look out over the beautiful countryside. The guests have made there way downstairs and are standing below the balcony as the bride turns to throw her bouquet over her shoulder to the women guests waiting below, their partners watching on nervously. Cheers erupt for the luck lady.

The vintage wedding car takes the newly married couple along the narrow country roads to the winery. Along the way the vines and fruit trees line the road in military formation, almost appearing to line the path for them. The branches of the fruit trees and vines are straining under the heavy weight of the ripe fruit. Once the couple and their guest arrive at the winery, the locally produced wine and delicacies are brought out to be savoured by all.  Walking through the courtyard, the wedding party is shown the drying rooms and the ‘bottaia’ (the barrique cellar), where the finest Amarone and Valpolicella wines are stored in wooden barrels await to be bottled.  Each wine the guests have through out the day is specifically chosen to complement the aromas and sensations of the delicate cuisine.  After the wedding breakfast the couple and their guests pass through the tall cypress trees in the winery, to a platform amidst the Roman ruins. Here, surrounded by rolling hills, the couple cut their wedding cake to the cheers and applause of their friends and family.

Later in the afternoon, the couple and their guests change into more casual clothes, for a tour of another winery and degustazione (wine tasting) of the locally produced wines. As part of the fun and celebration of this special day, a grape pressing session has been arranged for the entire wedding party. The bride and groom are first into the large wooden containers, squashing the ripe fruit with their bare feet as everybody laughs out loud with approval.

After washing their feet, the wedding party are on their feet again dancing to the live band. Lanterns are lit and as they float off into the night sky it marks the end of this wonderful day. The couple reluctantly leave their guests and are driven back to their accommodation, a luxurious villa set in the hills overlooking the countryside. Once in their suite the couple enjoy a glass of prosecco on their private terrace and as they share stories about the day’s events they see one of the lanterns high in the sky drifting on the gentle night breeze.

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The influence of Italian wine

Wine is a essential part of the Italian lifestyle and they are fiercely proud of their treasured tipple. Italy has over a million vineyards under cultivation across the country many of which command respect from internationally recognised bodies. The high quality of the wine has resulted in it being the highest exported wine in the world, however the Italians do not export it all, as they are the highest wine consuming nation in the world. The love of wine by the Italians and other European nations have been celebrated in various ways throughout the years via music, literature and proverbs. A selection of thirteenth century songs and poems from the ‘Carmina Burana’ that included wine themes, were transformed 700 years later into a unique musical composition by Carl Orff.

For an example in literature:

“Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us,
And fires us
With courage, love and joy.
Women and wine should life employ.
Is there ought else on earth desirous?”
John Gay.   

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Valpolicella and Bardolino for your dream wedding in Italy

Wine-growing areas vary in landscape and culture, and this in turn impacts on the flavour and intensity of the wine produced. Factors such as colour, palate, nose, body and development of the wine can vary dramatically depending on the soil, climate and landscape. The varied landscape surrounding Lake Garda, is as a result of glaciers from the last ice age and has left quite an impression on the soil quality of the region. The powdery grey/white soil is perfect for white and rosé wines and light bodied reds.  Slightly further South towards Verona the red-brown soil in the Valpolicella region is rich in minerals which were deposited by volcanoes from an age gone by. The fertile rich soil transports its flavours into the grape, bouquet and palate, producing full-bodied, ruby red wines. As a result Veneto is home to eight of the thirty-six DOCG (Denominazione Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines produced in Italy which is the highest classification that a wine can be given.

Most vineyards in Italy hold tours explaining the production process from soil to bottle, with each visit finishing with a taste of the final product! Degustazioni di vini (wine tasting) is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine, today it is becoming increasingly popular for foreigners to undertake courses in Italy to be educated on the qualities, methods and techniques of fine Italian wines. Students are invited to use their senses, one by one, to understand the wine and to identify it.

• Firstly the appearance of the wine? Is it a light straw yellow? Bright ruby red? Is it clear or cloudy?
• Secondly the bouquet of the wine in the glass?  Is it intense and fruity? Delicate? Sweet and fresh?
• Thirdly the taste on the palate? Is it velvety? Harmonic and elegant? Dry?
• Finally what is the aftertaste in the mouth? Is it slightly bitter? Creamy?

The winery’s students are tutored on the sensory methods which are required to appreciate the mixing and combination of flavours as the colours, flavours and aromas which flirt with the senses are influenced by so many variable factors. By undertaking such a course or visiting a winery you truly begin to appreciate the art of winemaking and its complexity. 

Most vineyards today use modern day machines for the pressing of grapes however some winerys do still permit the old fashioned grape pressing by feet for those people wanting to get more involved in the wine making process! Wearing short trousers guests climb into large wooden containers which are so wide that four adults can comfortably fit inside. During the pressing, the cool grapes burst beneath the feet with the grape juice rising through the gaps in the toes, a bizarre and unusual sensation. 

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You can't have an Italian wedding without pasta

Traditional Italian cooking classes share centuries-old traditions and methods of cooking, in particular the basic staple of any Italian diet ‘una buona pasta’ (a good pasta). The students prepare dishes of fresh pasta with fillings such as the Mantovan ‘ravioli di zucca’ (tortellini filled with pumpkin) and gnocchi di ricotta (ricotta dumplings). Afterward all the hard work the students sit down to lunch to sample each others dishes accompanied of course by a glass of wine chosen to compliment the delicate aromas and flavours of the ‘primo piatto’ (first course).

Travelling across the Italian countryside you will find that many vineyards and farms offer accommodation to guests. This style of lodging, is known in Italian as an 'agriturismo'. By staying in these types of accomodation it gives the traveller the opportunity to get close to their food and all mealtimes will be produced using only the freshest, ripest ingredients.  The cows, sheep and goats reared on the farm, produce fresh meat and milk. The fruit and vegetables which are influenced by the seasons are picked the same day they arrive on the lunchtime plate. Dishes are simple, allowing the fresh flavours and quality of the produce to speak for themselves. The traditional family hospitality and generosity you will experience staying in this accomodation will evoke a feeling of being home from home, which makes the inevitable departure from your second family very difficult.

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If you are unsure about which wedding location to choose for your dream destination wedding then why not try our quiz on the homepage.

If you would like to see more about weddings in Valpolicella please have a look at the Featured Venues page for more information.

Are you thinking of a luxury wedding? Then please find more details on our Luxurious weddings page.