Sauvignon Blanc is a light-bodied wine that will normally have aromas of grapefruit, asparagus and some herbaceous elements. Pinot Gris, also known as Pinot Grigio, is a light to medium bodied white wine. Zinfandel is one of the best red varieties for lovers of bold wines with a serious taste. Brimming with purple fruit jam, this Californian specialty is perfect for those who believe that the bigger the better, thanks to its typically robust body, high alcohol content and intense concentration.
Soft tannins keep the zinfandel accessible, especially in this juicy version of Paso Robles from The Fableist. Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Italy made with a grape called “Glera”. It's called “sparkling wine” because it's a white wine with bubbles. You'll find that it's fruity and slightly sweet, with flavors that may remind you of green apples and lemon.
Prosecco has no tannins and has a relatively low acidity, making it easy to appreciate for novice wine lovers. It is also one of the most popular types of sparkling wine. Chardonnay is the name of a white grape and the wine that is made with it. Each type of grape has a unique flavor, just as Granny Smith and Red Delicious are apples, but with distinctive flavors.
Chardonnay is often described as having apple and pear flavors with notes of butter, toast and oak. Chardonnay is usually dry, not sweet, but can still be fruity. It has no tannins, since it is white, and the level of acidity depends on its origin. European Chardonnay tends to have higher acidity than specimens from America.
Pinot Grigio is another white grape that produces wine with a clean and subtle flavor. It's a great wine for beginners looking for something relatively soft and accessible. It is not a sweet wine, but it has a mild, fruity flavor and is ideal to drink alone or with seafood. The Pinot Noir grape is red and has gained popularity in recent decades.
It is relatively light and low in tannins, with fruity berry and cherry flavors, although it is usually dry, not sweet. With its light body and low tannins, Pinot is an excellent choice for someone who likes white wine and wants to try reds. This red grape is for those who like a richer and fuller wine. It has relatively high tannins and acidity, but it also has abundant fruity flavors, ranging from berries to plums.
Cabernet Sauvignon also features flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, coconut and baking spices, depending on the producer and place of origin. Some beginners may find Cabernet a little too intense for their liking, but I've met a few people who loved it right away. Vinho Verde is a light-bodied white wine from Portugal made with local grape varieties such as Alvarinho, Loureiro and Arinto. It's fruity, crunchy and refreshing, with notes of peaches, green fruits, citrus and melon.
Vinho Verde can also have a slight effervescence when the bottle is first opened, which makes it even more crushable. Not to mention that the alcohol level of Vinho Verde is usually quite low, making it perfectly easy to drink without having to combine it with food. The organoleptic characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon are varied and complex, but all refer to the same geographical area that is the Bordeaux area, in particular, the famous Médoc and Graves-Saint-Amant areas. Cabernet Sauvignon is typically classified as a dry wine, meaning it has no residual sugar and often causes frowning sensations in the mouth.
Cabernet pairs well with stroganoff, steak, ribs and roasted potatoes. Pinot Noir is a great wine, fine, subtly charming and, like few others, it is likely to be combined with a multitude of dishes, from a simple kebab to a refined dish of duck breast with pomegranate. Malbec is a French variety that was once very common in the Bordeaux area, while today its cultivation has moved to Charos, in France and Argentina, where it is the most planted red vine that produces interesting and intense wines. It also finds popularity in the Loire, with good stretches of vine.
Many Bordeaux winemakers have renounced this strain in favor of the noble Merlot, also in consideration of the problems it entails compared to the aristocratic grape spread all over the world. Malbec has problems with leaks, rot and downy mildew, in addition to not having frost resistance. That's why it is grown more in hot climates, where these problems occur less frequently. It also has less intense aromas compared to Merlot, another reason to replace it.
In the calcareous and rocky areas of Cahors, however, in low-fertile and high-altitude soils, it is able to provide good results, with dense wines and very dark colors, so much as to have been nicknamed black wine, with good fruity aromas and outstanding tannic structures. The organoleptic characteristics of Merlot are universally recognized by all wine lovers, who consider the vine to be rounded and soft. Thanks to the great capacity to adapt to different climatic conditions and soils, the Merlot grape has spread widely in many parts of the world, with very different results. For this reason, as we will see later, one of the most important tips when choosing a good Merlot is to trust renowned wine producers in the area and with a crystal clear reputation.
Returning to the organoleptic characteristics of Merlot, the wines resulting from this strain are velvety, intense, ruby red in color; the smell makes it possible to recognize very clearly the red fruits of the forest (blackberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, etc. When tasted, Merlot is a deep, persistent and generally solid wine, often accompanied by herbaceous and woody notes. Primitivo di Manduria is one of Puglia's main red wines, a structured and powerful wine, very fruity, but velvety, which although it has a minimum gradation of 14 degrees, manages to always be pleasant and very drinkable. Everything is in the ripening, which, as the name suggests, is very early, in fact, the Primitivo is harvested even from the second half of August, and despite this, the polyphenolic ripening is already perfect, and the amount of sugar in the berries is noticeable.
The easiest red wine to drink is Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are full-bodied and tend to have a mild flavor that many people find pleasant. But we cannot name a single wine that is easy for everyone to drink, since each one has different tastes. Prosecco is another common option for beginners.
This Italian sparkling wine is slightly sweet and fruity. If you like lemon and green apple flavors, this is your choice. Tannin-free and exceptionally low acidity, it's easy for beginners to enjoy. As your wine tasting experience grows, your palate will become more accustomed to different flavors, consistencies, acidity and levels of tannins.
Succulent notes of strawberry, watermelon, raspberry, peach and pear are enhanced by vibrant acidity and a touch of hibiscus scent in this refreshing rosé wine that is the perfect companion for parks, picnics and swimming pools. You may know one or two people who swear that the only thing that keeps them on this side of sanity is a good glass (or maybe a bottle) of wine. With bright, tasty fruit and a soft, cozy texture, this Oregon Pinot Noir is the best wine for beginners. There are different expressions of grapes that can be aged in oak or stainless steel, but I usually find this fruity wine to be mild and harmless.
These wines (yes, both) are a good start for beginners, as they are fruity and delicious on the palate, so they can be drunk as juice. Traditionally, new American white oak barrels are used in La Rioja, which gives the wine a special flavor and determines its quality. For me, wine has to do both with the environment in which you enjoy it and with what is in the bottle. In addition, Prosecco is often one of the most affordable styles of sparkling wine, making it the perfect wine to start your wine journey.
It is one of the favorites of people who don't like wine so much or don't drink it that often. Merlot is a medium to full bodied red wine originating in France, although it is now grown all over the world. The wine made with Gamay is easy to drink without food, low in tannins and the flavors of red fruits make it the perfect wine for beginners. When you're new to wine tasting and just learning terminology, it can be frustrating to express your preferences in words.
It is very easily reduced when combined with hearty meat dishes, but if spices are skipped, spicy foods will add unpleasant heat to wines with high alcohol content. . .
