Picture yourself sitting in a vineyard with a dazzling mountain view and a glass of full-bodied wine in your hand…sounds pretty ideal, doesn’t it? But if you’re not an experienced wine drinker, it can be hard to know exactly which
wine you should have in that glass! If you’re new to the world of wine, then you only need to turn to this list of great introductory wines for beginners—from red and white to sparkling bottles. Plus, we’ve interviewed wine consultant Murphy Perng and sommelier Samuel Pogue for their expert tasting tips. Salut!
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Keep in mind that wine should only be consumed by those of legal drinking age.
In the U.S., the legal drinking age is 21 years or older. [1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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Good Wines for Beginners
- Vinho Verde: Light-bodied dry white with notes of citrus and green fruits.
- Sancerre: Light-bodied dry white with notes of citrus and elderflower.
- Grenache Blanc: Medium-to-full-bodied dry white with notes of apple and melon.
- Gamay: Light-to-medium-bodied dry red with notes of cherry and pomegranate.
- Merlot: Medium-to-full-bodied dry red with notes of black cherry and vanilla.
- Lambrusco: Full-bodied medium-dry red with notes of plum and black pepper.
Steps
Good Red Wines for Beginners
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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. [3] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Strawberry, cherry, leather, wild game, mushrooms.
- Body & Sweetness: Light-to-medium-bodied, dry.
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2Gamay 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. [4] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Cherry, raspberry, violet, pomegranate, peony.
- Body & Sweetness: Light-to-medium-bodied, dry.
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3Merlot 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! [5] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, mocha, cedar, herbs.
- Body & Sweetness: Medium-to-full-bodied, dry.
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4Cabernet 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. [6] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Black cherry, plum, mint, tobacco, leather, licorice, vanilla.
- Body & Sweetness: Full-bodied, dry.
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5Zinfandel 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. [7] X Research source
- 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.
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6Lambrusco 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. [8] X Research source
- 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
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1Vinho 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. [9] X Research source
- 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.
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2Pinot 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. [10] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Lemon, lime, green apple, pear, melon, citrus.
- Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied, dry.
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3Sauvignon 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. [11] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, grass, herbs.
- Body & Sweetness: Medium-bodied, dry.
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4Sancerre 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. [12] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Citrus, elderflower, grass, gooseberry.
- Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied, dry.
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5Vermentino 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. [13] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Green apple, lime, grapefruit, almond, daffodil, salt.
- Body & Sweetness: Light-to-medium-bodied, dry.
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6Grenache 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. [14] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Green apple, honeydew melon, lemon, white peach, herbs.
- Body & Sweetness: Medium-to-full-bodied, dry to off-dry.
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7Riesling 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! [15] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Stone fruit, tropical fruit, citrus, honey, ginger, petrol.
- Body & Sweetness: Light-bodied, can be sweet or dry (but is usually sweet).
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8Chardonnay 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! [16] X Research source
- Typical Flavor Profile: Apple, pear, lemon peel, vanilla spice, butter.
- Body & Sweetness: Medium-to-full-bodied, dry.
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9Prosecco 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. [17] X Research source
- 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.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/underage-drinking/minimum-legal-drinking-age.html
- ↑ https://sraml.com/wine-terms/
- ↑ https://www.magbloom.com/2021/11/bloomington-vine-pinot-noirs-difficult-but-delicious/
- ↑ https://greatist.com/eat/crash-course-red-wine-for-beginners
- ↑ https://greatist.com/eat/crash-course-red-wine-for-beginners
- ↑ https://thetraveltortoise.com/wine-guides/cabernet-sauvignon-for-beginners/
- ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/red-wine/zinfandel-wine-guide
- ↑ https://greatist.com/eat/crash-course-red-wine-for-beginners
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-vinho-verde
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/pinot-grigio-vs-pinot-gris-difference/
- ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/white-wine/sauvignon-blanc-wine-guide
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomhyland/2020/12/24/sancerrethe-worlds-greatest-white-wine/
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-is-vermentino-wine
- ↑ https://wineparadigm.com/grenache-blanc/
- ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/white-wine/riesling-wine-guide
- ↑ https://www.ariduswineco.com/blog/is-chardonnay-sweet-or-dry-all-about-the-popular-white-wine
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-prosecco-learn-about-the-italian-sparkling-wine
- ↑ https://www.pinotdays.com/sweet-wines-for-beginners/
- ↑ https://winefolly.com/lifestyle/the-18-noble-grapes-wine-challenge/
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-complete-guide-to-13-types-of-wine
- ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/learn-about-wine
- ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/learn-about-wine
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/oct/04/improve-knowledge-wine-tasting-courses-new-vintage-fiona-beckett
- ↑ https://www.goodpairdays.com/guides/wine-101/article/what-is-single-vineyard-wine/
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebell/2012/07/09/is-there-really-a-taste-difference-between-cheap-and-expensive-wines/
- ↑ https://www.hillebrandgori.com/media/publication/top-wine-regions-of-the-world
- ↑ https://cooking.nytimes.com/guides/41-how-to-drink-wine