How to Choose Wines for a Baptism?

Organizing a baptism is often the first big event we prepare for our child.

Between invitations, catering and decorations, choosing wines can quickly become a headache.
We understand the pressure: you want everything to be perfect without blowing your budget.

After years of supporting families in these precious moments, we have developed a simple and effective approach to choosing baptism wines.

The Key Steps in Choosing a Baptism Wine

Define the Menu: The Basis of Everything

Your menu entirely dictates your wine selection.

Are you planning a cold buffet with salads and quiches?
White wines will naturally dominate your list.

A traditional meal with poultry or pork?
We will then favor a balance between structured whites and light reds.

Ask yourself this simple question: what dishes will your guests eat first?

This consideration will prevent you from buying bottles that will remain unopened.

We always recommend planning 70% of your selection for the main course and 30% for sides and individual preferences.

Define the Budget

We often hear this phrase: "I don't want to spend a fortune, but I want it to taste good."
The good news? A great baptism wine doesn't have to be expensive.

Our advice: set yourself a budget of 8 to 15 euros per bottle.

This range allows you to access quality wines without compromising your family finances.

Consider buying in bulk: many wine merchants offer discounts on orders of 12 or more identical bottles.

Some even agree to take back unopened bottles, a welcome safety measure when we are unsure of the quantities.

Are you planning a baptism for 40 people or more? This strategy can save you several dozen euros!

The Seasonal Factor

A baptism in January does not call for the same wines as a ceremony in June.

In autumn and winter, we naturally gravitate towards more present red wines and slightly richer whites.

Cool temperatures encourage your guests to enjoy more concentrated flavors.

Conversely, spring and summer baptisms favor freshness: rosés, dry whites and sparkling wines dominate.

Think for a moment: would you serve the same wine on a terrace at 30°C as you would inside on a November day?

This seasonal adaptation guarantees you satisfied guests and wines drunk with pleasure.

But be careful, we're not talking about revolutionizing your wine list according to the thermometer!

Wine Selection: What Exactly to Choose?

The Aperitif: The First Contact

The aperitif sets the tone for your reception.

We always favor sparkling wines for this moment: they instantly create a festive atmosphere.

Worried about your budget for champagne ?

Crémant de Bourgogne or Crémant de Loire offers the same production method for a price divided by two or three.
Will your guests really notice the difference during a friendly aperitif?
Honestly, in 90% of cases the answer is no.

A quality Crémant served in beautiful glasses will impress as much as a top-brand champagne.

You can also offer a chilled pale rosé: this alternative is very popular at summer baptisms.

The Starter: The Delicate Accord

Your entryway completely determines the choice of white.

Seafood, salmon carpaccio, or mixed salad? A dry, mineral white wine like Muscadet or Chablis will pair perfectly with these dishes.

Foie gras, terrine, or a richer starter? We then turn to a slightly sweet white wine.

Our professional tip: a versatile white Touraine works with 80% of baptism entries.

This Loire appellation offers a lovely freshness while retaining enough roundness for more substantial preparations.

How many different entrees do you plan to serve?

This question will help you determine whether we opt for a single white or two complementary references.

The Main Course: The Heart of the Meal

Here we absolutely have to make our agreements successful.
Most of your guests will be consuming wine during the main course.

For poultry, pork or cream-based dishes , a light, fruity red such as a Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir from Burgundy is ideal.

These wines have enough character without overpowering the delicate flavors.

Do you serve fish or vegetarian dishes?

A dry, structured white like Burgundy Chardonnay will provide the necessary complexity without weighing down the whole.
Our practical advice: always plan for red AND white for the main course.

Even if your menu seems to lean toward one color, some guests have strong preferences.

This double offer avoids disappointments and guarantees everyone's satisfaction!

Dessert: The Final Touch

Dessert time often allows you to bring out the sparkling wines.
If we served Crémant as an aperitif, we can offer it again here.
This smart reuse optimizes your budget while maintaining taste consistency.

For very sweet desserts like christening cake, a semi-dry champagne or a sweet Crémant provides an interesting contrast.

Would you prefer to mark the occasion with something exceptional?
A Sauternes or a natural sweet wine will transform this moment into a memorable memory.

Be careful though: these wines require a larger budget and do not appeal to all palates.

Calculating Quantities: How Much to Plan Exactly?

The Basic Rules by Bottle

A 75 cl bottle contains approximately 6 tasting glasses.
For the red wine to accompany the main course: allow 1 bottle for 2 to 3 people.
This proportion takes into account the fact that not all of your guests will be drinking red.

White and rosé wines are calculated differently: 1 bottle for 3 to 4 people.
These wines are generally consumed in smaller quantities.
For sparkling wines, we apply the rule of 1 bottle for 3 to 4 people.

One glass as an aperitif plus one glass for dessert corresponds to this estimate.
Are you hosting experienced wine lovers?
Increase these proportions slightly: connoisseurs appreciate discovering and rediscovering your selections.

If you want more details on how many bottles are ideal for your event, we have prepared a complete article on this subject here .

The Essential Adjustments

Always remember to remove people who do not consume alcohol from the calculation.
Children, pregnant women, designated drivers: this subtraction can represent 20 to 30% of your guests.
Our tried and tested method: list your guests and note those who won't be drinking.

This preparatory work saves you from buying 20% ​​too many bottles!

Are you organizing your baptism on a Sunday afternoon?
The quantities naturally decrease compared to an evening reception.

The time and duration of your event directly influence consumption.
How long will your reception last exactly?
This data will help you refine your calculations precisely.

Our Services to Perfect Your Baptism 🎯

Organizing the wine for a baptism takes time and expertise.
At La Cave du Canal, we regularly support families in this process
Our experience allows us to advise you precisely according to your menu, your budget and your preferences.

Are you still hesitating between several references?
Come and taste directly in our cellar at 231 Rue La Fayette, in Paris.

This approach saves you from risky purchases and guarantees you informed choices.
We also offer themed tastings specific to family events.
These sessions allow you to discover our favorites in a relaxed atmosphere.

Our online selection at lacaveducanal.fr presents our current recommendations for baptisms.
You will find our favorite Crémants, our versatile whites and our favorite light reds.
Each wine offered has been tested and approved at our own family events!

Do not hesitate to contact us for your quantity calculations: this expertise is part of our service.
Your baptism deserves wines chosen with care and tasted with pleasure.

We would be delighted to contribute to the success of this memorable day!