The 6 Best Wines for Beginners to Drink in 2023

Learning to love wine doesn’t have to be intimidating—in fact, it shouldn’t be! Wine is fun, especially when you learn how to choose the right bottles. But which bottles are the right bottles, you ask? It’s simple. The right wines for you are the wines that taste good to you. The ones you’d be happy to drink again. It doesn’t matter what the critics say, or what your best friend says, or what your server in a restaurant says; everyone’s palate is unique and there are no universal rules.

That said, there are some guidelines that can be helpful to follow when you’re just getting started. Many beginners tend to prefer wines with straightforward fruit flavors, low tannin (which translates to a smooth wine), and moderate acidity, as these tend to be the easiest wines to drink. As you explore, you’ll learn more about what you like and dislike, which will help you select the best wines for your personal preferences. In the beginning, you might want to stick to inexpensive wines in case you buy something that’s not quite right for you. As you get to know your palate, you’ll be more confident in picking out special-occasion splurges.

Adam Chase, director of Grape Experience Wine & Spirits School, also recommends that beginners learn to think about wine in terms of geography. “Big, rich, fruit-intensive wines tend to come from warm places like Australia, California or southern Europe; crisper, lighter wines typically come from cooler places like Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Germany,” he says. “So think first about the style you like, and then consider the place the wine comes from. Is it a cool place or a warm place, or possibly somewhere in between?”

To kick start your journey through the wine world, here are the best wines for beginners to drink right now.

The Rundown

Best Overall:

2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir at Drizly

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Best White:

2019 Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling at Vivino

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Best Sweet:

2019 Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto at Drizly

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Best Budget White:

Broadbent Vinho Verde at Drizly

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Best Rosé:

2020 Pratsch Rosé at Vivino

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Best Rich White:

2018 Bernardus Chardonnay at Drizly

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2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Wine

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Region: Oregon | ABV: 13.5% | Tasting Notes: Cherry, Raspberry, Dark Chocolate, Caramel

With bright, flavorful fruit and a soft, inviting texture, this Oregon pinot noir is the ultimate beginner’s wine. Not too light or too heavy, nor too sweet or too dry, it’s fruit-forward with some pleasant savory accents that add subtle complexity. A winemaking technique called whole-cluster fermentation, in which grapes are fermented whole rather than crushed makes the red and purple berry fruit juicy, lively, and fun.

When you’re new to wine, it’s best to start with something that’s very well-balanced, like this easygoing pinot, so you can get a clear sense of what you like. Everything is moderate here, from the body to the acidity to the tannic structure. So if you’re craving something bolder, you might want to try a more tannic cab or zin; if you’d rather go lighter, you can turn to whites and rosés. But for many people, this delicious, approachable wine will be just right.

Wine

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Region: Germany | ABV: 8.5% | Tasting Notes: Yellow Apple, Pear, Peach, Lemon Curd

Forget everything you think you know about riesling—this seriously underrated variety makes some of the greatest serious white wines in the world, but it is also responsible for some of the best introductory styles. Riesling comes in every level of sweetness imaginable, from bone dry to lusciously sweet, but most beginners will want to start with an off-dry (lightly sweet) version like this best-selling classic from Dr. Loosen.

Vibrant acidity keeps this wine from being cloying, and ripe citrus, orchard, and stone fruit flavors make it delightful to drink. The best part is that, like most rieslings, this food-friendly wine is pretty low in alcohol, so it won’t cloud your judgement if you’re tasting it alongside other wines.

Total Wine

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Region: Italy | ABV: 7% | Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, Red Cherry, Rose Petal

This northern Italian sparkler is festive, fun, and irresistibly tasty. Made from a red grape called brachetto, it smells and tastes of candied fruit and fragrant flowers. It’s similar in style to moscato, but with red berry fruit rather than citrus and tropical notes and is a gorgeous cranberry hue in the glass. Banfi’s bottling is the gold standard for this attractive, elegant style of wine, with its raspberry, cherry, and strawberry fruit and a perfume of rose. It’s perfect on its own or as an accompaniment to dessert, especially when paired with rich, creamy dark chocolate treats like mousse or ganache.

Wine.com

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Region: Portugal | ABV: 9% | Tasting Notes: Green Apple, Meyer Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit

Few wines offer better value than the northern Portuguese specialty vinho verde—even the priciest bottles typically clock in well under $20. Made from a blend of local varieties, this ultra-crisp, low-alcohol white from a cool coastal climate has a slight spritz that makes it incredibly refreshing.

Zesty citrus notes of lemon, lime, and grapefruit mingle with tart green apple in this playful wine that sings when paired with fresh seafood. If you can enjoy it outdoors, even better. But regardless of the season, this lively, satisfying wine will make every day feel like a warm-weather vacation.

Wine

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Region: Austria | ABV: 11.5% | Tasting Notes: Strawberry, Watermelon, Peach, Raspberry

Rosé has been having a moment for a while now, so there are many great options to choose from in a wide range of styles. For beginners, we recommend a light, dry style with lots of fresh, vibrant fruit, like this high-value gem from Austria.

It’s made from the zweigelt grape, a locally popular variety that is known for bright berry flavors accented with a hint of black pepper, reminding us a lot of pinot noir. Succulent strawberry, watermelon, raspberry, peach, and pear notes are lifted by vibrant acidity and a hint of hibiscus perfume in this refreshing pink wine that makes a perfect companion to parks, picnics, and pools.

Total Wine

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Region: California | ABV: 14.4% | Tasting Notes: Yellow Apple, Peach, Lychee, Butterscotch

California chardonnay needs little introduction, but it’s wildly popular for a reason! The rich, creamy wines often made in this style are a favorite of both new and seasoned wine drinkers because of their textural interest and intense flavors. While chardonnay itself is a relatively neutral variety, winemaking techniques like oak aging and malolactic fermentation (which softens the acids in wine) can add toasty and buttery flavors, respectively. Naturally, the chardonnay grape can express a wide range of fruit flavors depending on where it’s grown; notes of tropical and stone fruit tend to come out in warmer climates, while chards from cooler regions are more focused on crisp citrus and orchard fruit.

This powerhouse from Monterey, California displays the best of both worlds, with warm days and cool nights producing a balanced beauty with notes of ripe, juicy peach, apple, melon, lychee, pineapple, and lemon curd. Moderate oak influence and full malolactic fermentation add a complex character of butterscotch, caramel, warm baking spice, vanilla, and toasty wood to this full-flavored crowd favorite.

Related: The Best White Wines

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Nikki Goddard is a wine writer with 14 years of industry experience as well as CSW and WSET Diploma certification. She is passionate about taking the intimidation out of wine education and has taught classes for WSET levels 2 and 3. In 2019, Nikki was named a top young wine writer by Vinous Media.