Knowledge

Chardonnay

One of the most recognizable wine names, this dry wine is known for sultry notes of butter, toast, and oak with an overall fruity taste. Look for unoaked Chardonnay if you prefer cleaner notes of apple.

Sauvignon Blanc

Refreshing with a rush of acidity, this white wine features flavors of light fruits like pear, white peach, and passion fruit with hints of lemongrass, green pepper, cut grass, and tarragon. Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand and parts of California strongly trumpet notes of grapefruit.

Riesling

A crisp, aromatic wine with high acidity, you can expect a tart but fruit-filled sip of peaches, apricots, apples, or pears. Riesling is known as one of the best “food-friendly” wines, and can be found in a range from bone dry to sweet.

Pinot Grigio

With its approachable and subtle flavor, Pinot Grigio – often referred to as Pinot Gris in the Western United States growing regions – offers an easy starting point for beginners looking for something mild and fruity. 

Prosecco

Another great beginner, Prosecco is fruity with low acidity. Its bubbly green apple and lemon tasting notes give the wine sipper a feeling of luxury without taking the experience too seriously.

Cabernet Sauvignon

An intense, full-bodied wine, Cabernet Sauvignon can go one of two ways. It can either be “love at first sip” or too overpowering for the beginner. This dry wine tends to be extremely fruit-forward, with strong flavors like berries and plums leading the way as subtle notes of chocolate and vanilla can linger with high tannins that leave a drying effect on the palate.

Pinot Noir

A light and fruit-forward wine, Pinot is an easy first step for white wine drinkers sashaying their way into red wine territory. Its dry, cherry/berry flavor and light body are welcoming for the newbies and consistent for the connoisseurs. 

Merlot

Considered a softer version of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot rolls out a smooth, velvet red carpet for the tastebuds. It holds similar fruity flavors but lower tannin levels, making it less intense than other red wines.

Zinfandel

A juicy mix of raspberry and blackberry flavors, Zinfandel is a dark red wine with medium-high tannins and high alcohol content. With fruity and sometimes spicy notes, it’s definitely one you’ll want to try. 

Malbec

Malbec boasts a deep color with even deeper flavors like coffee, black cherry, and chocolate with a hint of smoke. When you’re ready for a red wine that expands your preferences, this is the one.