For anyone new to wine, finding one you’re comfortable enjoying can be challenging. Even with a basic knowledge of white wine and red wine down, finding the type of wine you’ll enjoy feels like a guessing game. If that sounds like you, we’ve compiled a list of simple red and white wines to get you started on your wine journey.
The Best Red Wines for Beginners
Merlot
It would only be right if we started our guide with a red grape varietal many new wine drinkers know, Merlot.
Due to its ease of growing and versatility, Merlot is one of the most popular wines worldwide. It’s a rich wine yet so fun and easy to drink. Merlot is a standalone varietal but blends exceptionally well with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, among others.
In the world of wine, few are as recognizable as Merlot. It’s a light-bodied red with low tannins and is often described as fruit-forward and sweet depending on its growing methods. However, Merlot is also known to be a dry wine with low acidity and high alcohol. This brings out the fruit, which often causes many to call it a sweet wine. You can’t go wrong with Merlot, and that’s why it is our top choice as the best red wine for beginners.
Pinot Noir
Second on our list is a wine loved by beginners and experienced wine drinkers alike. If you’re looking for a medium-bodied red wine that isn’t too heavy, Pinot Noir is a great first choice.
While Pinot Noir is popular and well-loved, winemakers find it a challenging wine grape to grow and harvest. It must be picked at the precise ripeness and requires gentle handling during the winemaking process to avoid disaster. Even in its homeland of Burgundy, consistently great Pinot Noir is hard to come by. If you happen upon a delightful Pinot Noir, make sure to buy several bottles.
Arguably the best Pinot Noir is grown in the Burgundy region of France, but you’ll find great Pinot Noirs grown in Italy (Tuscany), Spain, California, and Oregon.
Cabernet Sauvignon
If you tend to bold, full-bodied wines, or you find yourself gravitating towards thick, red steaks at most meals, you ought to start your wine journey with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine originates as a mix between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It has a thick skin which gives it a high tannin count and a “heavy” taste. This also gives it the dark, luscious color it’s known for. It often has aromas of black pepper and flavors of dark fruit like black cherry. Cabernet Sauvignon grown in warm regions has a more full, fruit-forward taste higher in alcohol, whereas cooler regions produce a lighter body. Cabernet Sauvignon is most associated with the Bordeaux region but is also grown successfully in Spain, Napa Valley, California, South Africa, and Australia.
It pairs particularly well with pork, red meats like steak and lamb, and heavy pasta sauces.
Syrah/Shiraz
While not as popular as Cabernet or Pinot, Shiraz is a wine that is growing in popularity and respect. For beginners, Shiraz (or Syrah) is a perfect choice as it carries the power of a Cabernet yet maintains the fruitiness found in many Pinots. If you’re particularly interested in bold wines, Syrah will deliver with higher tannins and acidity.
Syrah is grown throughout the world, including California and Washington state, but the most popular regions are found in Australia and the Rhone valley of France, where it’s been grown for centuries. Despite its pedigree, Shiraz is not a wine most first-time wine drinkers would choose because it’s not well known and plays second fiddle to more popular varieties. Still,
Malbec
A fruity yet mild easy drinking wine known for its balanced flavors of vanilla and blackberry with tobacco, Malbec is a great, standard red wine choice for beginners. Today, Malbec is most associated with the Mendoza region of Argentina which produces over 75% of Malbec sold around the world.
Mendoza sits at a high altitude which gives Malbec more tannin and acidity. High-quality Malbec is often oaked which produces flavors of tobacco and heavy red wine that Malbec is known for.
The Best White Wines for Beginners
If red wines don’t fit your taste or you’re looking to pair your wine with a particular meal, here is a list of our favorite easy-drinking white wines for beginners.
Sauvignon Blanc
Because of its versatility, Sauvignon Blanc pairs wonderfully with a number of dishes, including fish, leafy greens, pasta, and poultry. Citrus, smoke, sweet fruit, pear, and lemongrass are common attributes of this wine.
Knowing where Sauvignon Blanc is grown is important as it impacts the taste greatly. If you want to try a more acidic, earthy, mineral wine, a French Sauvignon Blanc grown in a cooler region is your best choice. For a sweet, more fruit-forward Sauvignon Black grown in a warmer climate like California or New Zealand takes a more fruit-forward taste.
Chardonnay
As the most popular white wine in America and popular worldwide, Chardonnay is a favorite for wine lovers and a wonderful white wine for beginners to enjoy.
Chardonnay is a wine with roots in France, specifically in the Cote de Beaune region of Burgundy. Wines grown here are known for their tree fruit (green apple and pear) as well as their mineral, earthy taste. Oaked Chardonnay gives it a buttery, smooth taste the wine is famous for. Unoaked Chardonnay from other regions takes on a more crisp, light flavor while maintaining its fruit flavors.
Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay is grown worldwide with great success. Italian winemakers have found great success as have those in the New World including California, New Zealand, and especially Australia, which produces some of the best Chardonnay found anywhere.
Pinot Grigio
Also commonly referred to as Pinot Gris, this wine is crispy and refreshing with a vibrant fruity profile. Its flavors range from fruity/tropical fruit to citrusy blossom, honey, and lemongrass. If the wine is oaked, it adds a smoky spicy flavor, which to many is an acquired taste for a Pinot Grigio.
It’s best known in northern Italy, where it’s still referred to as Pinot Grigio. However, excellent Pinot Gris can is commonly grown in France, Germany, and Oregon, where it comes in several unique varieties.
Riesling
Most describe Riesling as sweet, and while it often is, its robust flavor range makes it one the easiest grape varieties to pair with foods.
For beginners, it’s helpful to note that Riesling is either sweet or dry. The dry version contains a higher alcohol content which naturally lowers the fruity sweetness and increases acidity.
Riesling finds its home in Germany, most notably the Mosel area, considered to produce the best Rieslings in the entire world.
To the surprise of many, some of the best North American dry Rieslings are grown in the Finger Lakes region of upper New York and in Washington State.
Favorite Sparkling Wines for Beginners
Moscato
From the Muscat Blanc grape comes a popular sparkling wine that features a range of sweet fruity flavors like lemon and orange blossom, Moscato.
Most wine drinkers are familiar with Moscato d’Asti, which is grown and harvested in northern Italy. Other regions that grow Muscat Blanc include France, Greece, and Spain. It is sparingly grown in North America.
Prosecco
Grown exclusively in Italy, While it’s not as popular as Moscato, Prosecco is an affordable, dry wine that shines when eaten with semi-spicy foods like many Asian cuisines.
The wine comes in several different varieties and sweetness levels ranging from Dry to Brut (super dry).
Honorable Mentions
Some other wines we felt would fit here include Rose, Zinfandel, Beaujolais Nouveau, Grenache, and Cabernet Franc.
Conclusion
We hope this list was helpful as you begin your wine-tasting journey. As always, leave us a comment below and suggest your favorite wine for beginners.
