If you are only just beginning your wine exploration journey, then you might be finding it difficult to find the right wines for you, or even know where to start.
There are lots of things that you will need to think about to find wines that suit your preferences, but there are certain wines that are great for an introduction to wine drinking.
It is often recommended that non-wine drinkers start off with the lighter varieties of wine before moving on to the heavier stuff, as this will allow time for your palette to adjust.
Thankfully, when it comes to white, red, and sparkling wine, there are lots of different options for you to choose from.
You may find it all a little bit confusing at first, but it won’t take long for you to get used to it.
To help you along the way, we are going to tell you exactly what you should be looking for in a wine, and we are also going to share a list of the best wines for non-wine drinkers with you in this article.
What You Should Look For In A Wine
There is no one brand of wine that is the typical go-to for people that are only just getting acquainted with the drink, but there are some things that you should look out for in a wine.
There are lots of different flavors to consider, and before you find the perfect wine that works for you and the taste you want, then you should look out for some of the things that we are going to talk about below.
The Flavor Of The Wine
In its most basic form, wine is simply fermented grape fruit, but it is actually much more than this. The profile of wine will have to do with the way that it has been made as well as the way that it has been stored while aging.
The specific grapes that have been used will also determine its taste, aroma, and body.
Wine is a drink that can take on a variety of different flavors, depending on what is used to make it. For example, red wines will typically have flavors like berries, leather, cherries, tobacco, dark fruits, and more.
On the other hand, white wines tend to have flavors like citrus fruits, spice, toast, pears, and apples.
The Sweetness Of The Wine
If you are not a wine drinker then something sweeter is a good starting point. Try a white wine like Chardonnay.
Those that have just started drinking wine can often be put off by the drier varieties and instead prefer something a little sweeter.
You don’t necessarily have to go for the bottle with the highest sugar content, but it can be beneficial to go for a wine that is not too dry. This is great for an introduction to wine drinking.
Something that you might not have already known is that the sweetness of the wine also has to do with the harvesting time of the grapes, the type of grapes that are being used, and the overall alcohol content of the wine.
There are many different types of delicious wine and the sugariness can vary from dry white and red wines like Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon to dessert wines like Port, which are actually among the sweetest.
The Aroma Of The Wine
If you are someone that wants to improve your knowledge when it comes to wine, then you should think about the aroma of the wine that you are choosing.
Something that you will learn to pick up on over time is the subtle aromas that are present in wine. Some wines that are most known for being aromatic are Grenache and Viognier.
The Body And Viscosity Of The Wine
Wine body simply refers to how heavy the wine feels in your mouth. The higher the alcohol content, the heavier it will feel. Those just starting out on their wine tasting journey will likely prefer light-bodied wines.
You may have heard experienced wine drinkers talk about the way that the wine feels in the mouth, and this is usually referring to the viscosity of the drink.
This is in reference to how heavy or light the wine is, and those who are just starting to explore different wines will tend to prefer lighter wine varieties that are not too heavy on the palate. Some of the best light-bodied varieties of wine include Sauvignon Blanc and Beaujolais Nouveau.
Best Red Wines For Beginners
Dry red wine can sometimes make you think that wine is not your thing, but more often than not, there will be types of red wine that are more suitable for beginners than others. We will provide you with a list of helpful red wine suggestions below.
Syrah – This is a drink that is very similar to Shiraz in lots of different ways, but the main difference between the two is the fact that Syrah has more of a fruity taste, whereas Shiraz has an almost peppery taste.
Two great options for Shiraz are D’Arenberg and Penfold’s wine that you are more likely to like, even if wine is not your thing. If you are looking to get a good bottle of Syrah, then we would suggest either Eaglepoint Ranch or Qupe Central Coast.
Beaujolais Nouveau – This is a type of French wine that should not be allowed to age for too long. For this reason, it should be drunk when it is young.
Although, bottles of this wine are typically released in November time, and they will likely be sold out by the time that Christmas comes around. This is a particularly light wine that has a fruity taste and very light tannins. This is why it is typically a safe choice for newer wine drinkers.
Pinot Noir – This is a wine that is most often served at dinner, and it can be found in either medium or light-bodied varieties. This is a type of wine that lots of non-wine drinkers tend to gravitate towards when they do have to drink wine.
Some of the best choices for a good Pinot Noir are Try McMurray Ranch, Devils Corner or Bin 99, all of which you will enjoy drinking.
Best White Wines For Beginners
It doesn’t particularly matter whether you start off with a red of white wine when you first start drinking it. Although, lots of people would advise beginning with white wines, as they are generally made to be lighter than red wines.
They are also generally easier on a beginners palate than a red wine would be. We will leave some suggestions for white wines below.
Riesling – There is a Riesling for those who like dry wine and for those who like their wine sweet. A German Riesling is one of the best white wines that you will find on the market, but you could also go for one from Washington State.
Pinot Grigio – This is a crisp and light bodied type of wine that is among the most beloved in the market. None of the characteristics of this wine are off putting, and you should definitely give it a try.
One of the best ones to try is the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, a low calorie option as a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Get Into Wine Drinking?
If you want to get into drinking wine, the first thing that you will need to do is to be open minded. The first wine that you try should be something approachable, like Prosecco or Moscato.
It is a common misconception that most wines will be easy to drink or that they are all sweet in flavor. There are so many things to consider when it comes to drinking wine.
You are probably not going to like every single bottle of wine that you try. Even the most experienced wine drinkers will have certain brands or bottles that they don’t like.
You should try to start by expanding your palate simply by sampling more fruit-forward wines with less residual sugar. That missing sweetness will be noticeable at first, but you should try to keep an open mind.
Try to focus on the specific flavors in the wine, and then decide whether or not you like it. Take more than one sip, or maybe even the whole glass before you decide on not liking it.
As well as this, just because you don’t like one bottle of Pinot Grigot, for example, that doesn’t mean that you won’t like any of them.
Be open to trying new things, as you might fall in love with the next one that you try. Not all wines will be created equally, and you are bound to find something that you love.
You should also be mindful of the fact that you cannot grow your palate without tasting as many wines as you can. This is part of the fun of wine drinking, and the more wines you try, the more you are likely to find wines that you like and expand your palate.
You should try to sample as many styles, grape varieties, countries and winemakers as you can.
If this is something that you are interested in, then you might also want to consider taking a course in wine. There are many educational institutions that you can choose from, and each will provide you with a unique experience.
Enthusiasts and industry professionals alike will take such courses to expand their knowledge, so why not give it a go? If you are a beginner, then try to find a class that focuses more on the basics.
Hi, my name is Emma Miller, and I am a wine enthusiast, and self-proclaimed oenophile from Ohio, in the United States. There is nothing better than tasting new types of wine, and over the years I have become somewhat of a wine connoisseur.
