The 15 Best Wines for Beginners (Plus Expert Tasting Tips!)

Basic Wine Terminology

Wine-talk is practically its own language, so before you dive into all of the best beginner-friendly wines, we’ll make sure you know all of the terms to understand and discuss wine like a pro. Here are some of the most important wine terms that we’ll use throughout this article: Acidity: Every wine has some level of acidity which creates a balance between sweet and bitter. A more acidic wine will be slightly more bitter, while a less acidic wine will be sweeter. High acidity can also affect whether a wine tastes crisp or fresh. Aroma: A wine’s aroma refers to the wine’s smell, although the term bouquet may also be used—particularly for aged wines. Aromas are often described as fruity or floral, and they may be distinct from the wine’s flavor profile. Body: The body of a wine refers to the feel or weight of a wine in the mouth. Wines are categorized as light, medium, or heavy-bodied. Light-bodied wines feel thin in the mouth, while heavy-bodied wines feel heavier or fuller. Sweet vs. Dry: Terms like “sweet” and “dry” refer to the amount of sugar in a wine. A dry wine has almost no residual sugar and a sour or bitter taste, while a sweet wine has a high amount of sugar and a sweet taste. Tannins: These are natural compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems. They give structure to wine but also leave a bitter, dry, and astringent taste in the mouth. As a result, wines with low tannins are typically more suitable for beginner wine drinkers.

Good Red Wines for Beginners

Pinot Noir Pinot Noir is the perfect entry into the world of red wine for drinkers who typically favor white or sparkling bottled. Pinot Noirs are lighter-bodied and easier to drink than many red varieties, and they also pair with a wide variety of foods and flavors. This wine gives off quite a warm and cozy feel with red fruit flavors and notes of spice. Typical Flavor Profile: Strawberry, cherry, leather, wild game, mushrooms. Body & Sweetness: Light-to-medium-bodied, dry.

Gamay This French wine is similar to Pinot Noir but with a fruitier and less earthy flavor. Gamay is a light-to-medium-bodied wine that’s easy to drink—especially if you opt for an extremely fruity and simple variety like Beaujolais Nouveau, which is often likened to an alcoholic fruit juice. Other regions, like the Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais Cru, produce more complex and elevated Gamay wines. Typical Flavor Profile: Cherry, raspberry, violet, pomegranate, peony. Body & Sweetness: Light-to-medium-bodied, dry.

Merlot Merlot is a medium-to-full-bodied red wine that originates in France but is now grown in wine countries all over the world. This wine is great for beginners because of its very smooth and subtle flavor palate, which highlights notes of cherry, plum, vanilla, and chocolate. Some of the smoothest and easiest-to-sip Merlots come from California and Washington state, so try one of those for a super beginner-friendly bottle! Typical Flavor Profile: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, mocha, cedar, herbs. Body & Sweetness: Medium-to-full-bodied, dry.

Cabernet Sauvignon A classic Cab is one of the most common and beloved grape varieties in the world. The typical Cabernet Sauvignon has a smooth palate with notes of vanilla and black fruits—like blackberries, cherries, and plums. New World Cabernet Sauvignon (aka bottles that come from outside of Europe) are the best for beginners to wine, with a fruit-forward grape and mid-level acidity. Typical Flavor Profile: Black cherry, plum, mint, tobacco, leather, licorice, vanilla. Body & Sweetness: Full-bodied, dry.

Zinfandel Zinfandel is originally from Croatia, but this full-bodied red wine is also produced in California and Italy (although it's called Primitivo when from other regions). Zinfandel is known for its fruity and jammy taste with notes of black and blue fruits as well as chocolate and sweet cinnamon. This flavor profile creates a juicy and thirst-quenching taste, although not overly sweet. Zinfandel has a particularly high alcohol level for your typical wine, so tread lightly if you’re new to drinking. Typical Flavor Profile: Raspberry, blackberry, cherry, plum, spice, black pepper. Body & Sweetness: Full-bodied, medium-dry to semi-sweet.

Lambrusco This sparkling red wine hails from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It’s typically fruit-forward, although its sweetness level can vary across bottles and varieties. Lambrusco is also a great transition from white to red wines, as it's an easy sipper that’s best served chilled. Typical Flavor Profile: Cherry, raspberry, blackberry, florals. Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied. Different types of Lambrusco have different sweetness levels. If you like a sweeter drink, look for “semisecco” on the label. If you want a drier (and less sweet) bottle, look for “Secco” on the label.

Good White Wines for Beginners

Vinho Verde Vinho Verde is a light-bodied white wine that’s made in Portugal. It’s made with local Portuguese grapes like Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Arinto, and it typically carries notes of peaches, citrus, and melon. The overall taste is fruity, crisp, and refreshing, and the wine usually has a light and bubbly effervescence without being a full-on sparkling wine. Vinho Verde also has a relatively low alcohol level, so it’s a great wine for beginners to drinking! Typical Flavor Profile: Citrus, green fruit, white flowers, lemonade. Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied, dry.

Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio is a dry white wine that’s popular among beginner and advanced wine drinkers alike. This wine hails from Italy, where its light-bodied flavor is infused with notes of lemon, lime, and stone fruits like apricot and peach. The taste of Pinot Grigio is fairly simple, meaning it's easy on the palate for beginner wine drinkers and comes at a fairly reasonable price point. Typical Flavor Profile: Lemon, lime, green apple, pear, melon, citrus. Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied, dry.

Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most universally-liked white wines, thanks to its light and crisp flavor. These refreshing notes make it especially popular during spring and summer, when many wine-lovers might enjoy a glass on a restaurant patio or as part of a park picnic. Be sure to take note of the region your Sauv Blanc is from, as New Zealand varieties have a greener aroma but French bottles are more floral. Typical Flavor Profile: Grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, grass, herbs. Body & Sweetness: Medium-bodied, dry.

Sancerre Sancerre is actually made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, making it a specific variety of Sauvignon Blanc. Sancerre is a smoother and less pungent alternative that’s made in the Loire Valley of France. Its flavor profile encompasses a well-balanced blend of green fruits, flowers, and minerals. Typical Flavor Profile: Citrus, elderflower, grass, gooseberry. Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied, dry.

Vermentino Vermentino is an Italian white wine that’s produced in Sardinia, Sicily, and Corsica. The wine is light-to-medium-bodied and gives off island vibes—not just because it’s mainly produced on the island of Sardinia, but also because its flavor profile includes tropical fruit flavors like pineapple and fruity flavors like green apple and pear. Vermentino also typically has a nutty undertone, but its overall taste is smooth and well-balanced. Typical Flavor Profile: Green apple, lime, grapefruit, almond, daffodil, salt. Body & Sweetness: Light-to-medium-bodied, dry.

Grenache Blanc The Spanish Grenache Blanc is a medium-to-full-bodied white wine that’s now grown throughout France and the US—as well as its native Spain! Grenache Blanc is an easy-drinking wine with a soft, balanced texture and floral and fruity flavors like honeysuckle, melon, pear, peach, and citrus. Typical Flavor Profile: Green apple, honeydew melon, lemon, white peach, herbs. Body & Sweetness: Medium-to-full-bodied, dry to off-dry.

Riesling Riesling is a particularly versatile grape—while the typical Riesling is known to be sweet, some of the driest wines out there may also be made with riesling grapes. Since there are so many varieties of Riesling, it’s a great choice for new wine drinkers to explore different varieties, styles, and regions. It’s also high in acid, meaning that it pairs well with a wide range of foods and flavors! Typical Flavor Profile: Stone fruit, tropical fruit, citrus, honey, ginger, petrol. Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied, can be sweet or dry (but is usually sweet).

Chardonnay Chardonnay is arguably the most common white grape, and it’s made in a wide variety of styles and through a wide variety of winemaking techniques. The grape itself is highly versatile—it’s most frequently given an oaky and buttery flavor due to the way it’s aged and stored. In other bottles, however, it can take on a more acidic and refreshing taste—so it’s worth exploring different Chardonnays in order to find your favorite! Typical Flavor Profile: Apple, pear, lemon peel, vanilla spice, butter. Body & Sweetness: Medium-to-full-bodied, dry.

Prosecco Prosecco is a beloved sparkling wine, and one of the best sparkling wines for beginners. Compared to counterparts like champagne and cava, Prosecco is lighter-bodied, fruitier, more refreshing, and easier to drink. The Northern Italian wine is made from the Glera grape and produced via the tank method, meaning that its fruity flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus can be effectively preserved. Typical Flavor Profile: Lemon, citrus, green apple, pear, honeysuckle, cream, hazelnut. Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied. Different types of Prosecco have different sweetness levels. If you like a sweeter drink, look for “Extra Dry” or “Dry” on the label. If you want a drier (and less sweet) Prosecco, look for “Brut” on the label.

What is the fruitiest wine for beginners?

The fruitiest wines for beginners include Moscato d’Asti and Dolcetto. Newcomers to the winemaking world often prefer fruity wines, since their sweet flavors are typically smoother in texture and more pleasing on an inexperienced palate. While there are many excellent fruity wines that are great for new drinkers, here are some of the top picks for fruit-forward bottles: Moscato d’Asti: A sweet, sparkling white wine that’s low in alcohol. Considered as a dessert wine with flavors of peach, grape, orange blossom, and Meyer lemon. Dolcetto: A medium-bodied and dry Italian red wine with juicy fruit flavors (e.g., black cherry, plum) and earthy undertones. Cabernet d’Anjou: A semi-dry and sweet rosé with a soft taste and aromas of red fruits like strawberries, currants, raspberries, and English candy. Sauternes: A sweet, white Bordeaux dessert wine with flavors of candied fruit, toasted nuts, caramel, peaches, apricots, ginger, tropical fruit, and butterscotch. Il Duca Imperiale 'Rosa Imperiale': A carbonated red wine with a sweet and crisp taste and notes of fresh strawberry, raspberry, and melon.

Are noble grape varieties good for beginners?

Noble grape varieties aren’t the most easy-drinking beginner wines. Noble grape varieties refer to grapes that are considered the most important and consistently high-quality in modern winemaking. There are six main noble grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. While these varieties can be good for beginners in certain blends and settings, they tend to have more intense palates that can be abrasive to new wine drinkers.

How to Become Knowledgeable About Wine

Learn about the major categories of wine. Wine is primarily categorized into whites and reds. Other categories include rosés, sparkling wines, dessert wines, and fortified wines. The common types of wines that you would see on a restaurant menu or in a wine shop all belong to one of these categories—a Pinot Noir is a red wine, for instance, while a Chardonnay is a white wine. Here’s a quick guide to the different types of wines and their typical flavors: White wine: Made from white grapes. Light, crisp, citrusy, fruity, and floral. Red wine: Made from black grapes. Rich, darkly fruity, earthy, spicy. Rosé: Made from black grapes but with a shorter contact time. Light, bright, refreshing, fruity, acidic. Sparkling wine: Wine infused with carbon dioxide for a fizzy texture. Often citrusy, fruity, and nutty. Includes popular wines like prosecco, champagne, and cava. Dessert wine: Sweet wines that are often paired with a dessert course. Includes port, moscato, ice wine, mead, and tokaji eszencia. Fortified wine: Wine that has a distilled spirit (like brandy) added to it. Often served before or after a meal. Includes sherry, port, madeira, marsala, and vermouth. Wines can also be categorized as light, medium, or full-bodied, which refers to their overall feel and intensity in the mouth, or as dry, medium, or sweet, which describes the amount of sugar in the wine.

Always try different varieties of wine. Drink a new wine every time you’re picking out a bottle at the store, ordering a glass at a restaurant, or choosing a selection at a wine tasting. Experiment with different grapes, regions, blends, and brands and observe your feelings about each one. Try to evaluate what it is about each wine that you like (or dislike), and see if there are any patterns amongst your favorite and least favorite wines. “Being open to trying different wines is very important,” says Perng. “Not tasting enough wine or not tasting a variety of wines is probably one of the biggest [errors]” made when learning about wine.

Take notes and ask questions about the wines you try. Create a Notes page in your phone, use a tracking app like Vivino, or start a designated wine tasting journal to keep track of your wine journey. Take note of the name of each wine you try, as well as the brand, region, blend, and any other tasting details. If you’re at a bar or wine shop, ask the staff for more information about the wine, like what grapes were used and which winemaking techniques were applied. Then, note how you felt about the wine and whether there were certain aspects of it that you liked or disliked. If you use an app like Vivino to learn about and track your wines, avoid relying too much on each wine’s rating on the app. Wine preferences are highly subjective, so someone else’s one-star bottle may be your absolute favorite!

Attend wine tastings or organize your own. Travel to local wineries from time to time and keep an eye out for restaurants and bars hosting smaller-scale wine tastings in your area. Attending wine tastings gives you an opportunity to try new wines and pose questions to experienced sommeliers. If visiting wineries isn’t a realistic option for location or budgetary reasons, you can host your own tastings at home! Consider joining a wine club in your town or city, or organizing a monthly wine tasting night with your friends or family! “The most important thing [to do] is really doing wine tasting,” affirms Perng. “You can read a lot but, as much as you’re able to read, it’s never going to tell you exactly how wine tastes. You have to taste for yourself if you really want to understand what a wine tastes like and why it tastes the way it does.” “So, I would say that just tasting with friends very consistently is always helpful,” continues Perng. “Even most of us sommeliers still taste very consistently. I have a weekly…wine tasting group that I joined, and it’s great to be constantly improving your palate and trying wine. The more you taste, the more you know.”

Sample a single vineyard production or try a higher price point. Single vineyard production means that all of the grapes used for the wine in the bottle are from one plot (rather than a combination of several plots). Trying this type of wine can help you better understand the nuances of wine production as you continue to expand your palate. Another way to level up is by trying more expensive wines. But, of course, that begs the essential question: are expensive wines worth it? Most wine lovers would probably argue that higher-priced wines are worth the higher cost—but only if you fully understand and enjoy that wine. If you aren’t knowledgeable enough about wine to appreciate the subtleties of a splurge-worthy one, then it may not be worth the cost to you personally.

Learn about and explore different wine regions. Wines come from different regions all over the world—from California to France to Argentina—and each one has a distinct taste and flavor due to climate, terrain, and traditional winemaking practices. Explore different wines from different regions, as well as different varieties of wine within the same region. If you know you love a certain grape from one region, try it again from another region to see if you like it just as much. If you’ve found that you really love a certain wine region, consider saving up for a vacation to that wine country! Not only will you get the opportunity to sample more wines, but you’ll also be able to physically explore the culture and speak with local sommeliers who make your favorite bottles. All of these factors will deeply influence how you understand and taste wine. Perng explains how the “major wine regions are Europe,which is the Old World, and the New World—the US, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, etc. All of these places have different winemaking processes and different pieces of legislation and governmental legislation, all of which affects the way that the wine turns out.” “Understanding everything that goes into winemaking,” continues Perng, “is very important if you want to get into wine. It will really explain to you how those flavors come out and you’ll be more knowledgeable about what flavors you should be expecting.”

Connect a type of wine to the experience you have drinking it. Taste is an important part of wine, for sure. But drinking wine is also about the experience of drinking it—whether that’s in a certain setting, with a certain group of people, or for a certain special occasion. If you’ve connected a wine to an enjoyable experience—like a delicious dinner with loving friends or a scenic trip to the countryside—then that bottle will (hopefully) evoke those same memories the next time you drink it—even if it’s just on your couch in your PJs!

How to Properly Drink & Appraise Wine

Learning the so-called “proper” wine etiquette can be a daunting task—especially if you’re a beginner to drinking wine in general! While there’s no wrong way to drink wine, certain practices can help to enhance the flavors of your glass—and make it easier for you to pick up on the nuances and notes of any given bottle. Below, you’ll find some quick steps to drink wine like a pro: Decant your wine ahead of time. Certain wines (like full-bodied reds) should be decanted to separate the juice from the sediment. Let the wine sit in the decanter for 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the type. Use the right glass. Drink red wine out of a long-stemmed, clear glass with a rounded bottom and wider top. Drink white wine out of a glass with a narrower cup and tapered top. Hold the wine glass correctly. Pinch the stem between your thumb, index, and middle fingers, and rest your ring and pinky fingers on the base of the glass. Observe the wine for color and clarity. Start off with just looking at the wine, instructs Pogue. Hold your wine glass against a white background and examine its color and clarity. Tilt the glass and watch how the color changes from the center to the edges. Swirl and smell the aromas of the wine. Swirl the glass gently to release the aromas, then bring the glass up to your nose. Take short, quick sniffs and identify different scents (e.g., fruits, flowers, spices, etc.). Give it a nice slow inhale with your mouth open, says Pogue. Take a small taste of the wine. Sip a small amount of the wine and let it coat your entire mouth. Observe the taste on your tongue, palate, and throat, taking note of its body, acidity, and tannins. Consider how long the flavors linger in your mouth. Evaluate the wine and whether you like it. Consider the overall flavor, balance, complexity, and quality of the wine. Finally, decide whether or not you enjoy the wine!