New to wine? Feeling overwhelmed? Yeah, we get that. It’s hard to know where to start with so many varieties, flavors, and labels. But we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for something light and refreshing or rich and bold, this guide to the top picks for new wine drinkers will help.
Types of Wines
First of all, it’s important to know about the types of wine available. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Red wine: these wines are made from dark grape varieties and are usually fuller-bodied with flavors that range from fruity to spicy.
- White wine: made from green or yellow grapes, white wines are generally crisp and refreshing with fruity flavors.
- Rose wine: made from red grapes, rose has a pink hue and a flavor profile between red and white.
- Sparkling wine: perfect for celebrations, sparkling wines can range from sweet to dry. Choose from white or rose sparkling wine to suit your taste.
- Dessert wine: dessert wines are often sweet and are usually enjoyed with or as a dessert.
Leading Picks for Beginners
Now to delve into the good stuff. Here are the top picks for beginners to wine.
Red
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the perfect place to start if you’re new to wine or if you’re moving from white to red. This type of red is usually lighter-bodied and easier to drink than other, more intense reds.
Merlot
Merlot is a dry, medium—to full-bodied red with moderate acidity. It has fruity flavors like cherry, plum, and raspberry, easy-drinking tannins, and a super-soft finish, making it ideal for novice wine drinkers.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel often offers more spice and a tobacco-like smokey finish. The primary flavors are jam, blueberry, black pepper, cherry, plum, cranberry, and licorice. It’s a medium-dry-to-dry red wine.
White
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio tends to be a light, dry, and fruity wine with common flavors, including lemon, lime, pear, nectarine, and apple. It’s a great starter white wine because it’s simple and fruity.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular white wines available and is loved by everyone from first-time wine drinkers to seasoned sommeliers. It’s easy to drink with light and airy tasting pear, grapefruit, lime, and white peach notes.
Riesling
The colouring and aromas of Riesling wine are similar to those of Sauvignon Blanc; however, Riesling is typically sweeter. In addition to fruit, you’ll often experience the aromas of honeycomb, jasmine, or lime.
Sparkling
Prosecco
Prosecco is a sparkling white wine with large bubbles. It typically has a fruity character with notes of lemon, citrus, green apple, pear, and more. You can get prosecco as brut, dry, and extra dry.
Cava
Cave is a Spanish sparkling wine that is similar to champagne but not as sweet as prosecco. It has a lean, citrusy, and savory flavor
Moscato d’Asti
Moscato d’Asti is a sweet, lightly sparkling Italian wine and is great for beginner wine drinkers who have a sweeter palate.
Tips for Enjoying Your Wine
Now you’ve got the lowdown on what wines you should be trying, here are some tips to help you enjoy it even more.
How to Serve
- Serve your white wines chilled at around 7-10 °C and red slightly cooler than room temperature. Sparkling wines are best served chilled.
Pairing Suggestions
- Pinot Grigio pairs well with seafood and light salads.
- Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with goat’s cheese, green vegetables, and grilled chicken.
- Pinot Noir complements dishes like roast chicken, grilled salmon, and mushroom risotto.
- Merlot is a versatile choice for anything from burgers to pasta dishes.
- Zinfandel is perfect with barbecue and spicy food.
Tasting Tips
When tasting wine, take your time. Swirl the wine in your glass to release its aromas, take a deep sniff, and then sip. Let the wine sit in your mouth for a few seconds to experience all the flavors.