If you don't typically enjoy wine but would like to give it another best-tasting wine for Beginners, there are a few options that may appeal to your taste preferences. Remember that everyone's taste preferences are unique, so it's important to experiment and find the style of wine that suits you best. It's also worth considering trying wine in different settings or pairing it with food, as these factors can greatly influence your perception and enjoyment of the wine.
Moscato d'Asti
Moscato d'Asti is a delightful and popular wine choice, especially for those who don't typically enjoy wine. It is a sweet and sparkling Italian wine that originates from the Asti region in Piedmont. Here are some key characteristics of Moscato d'Asti:
- Sweetness: Moscato d'Asti is known for its pronounced sweetness, which is a result of residual sugars in the wine. The sweetness helps balance the wine's acidity and provides a luscious, fruity taste.
- Floral and fruity flavors: Moscato d'Asti is highly aromatic, offering intense floral and fruity notes. You can expect fragrances of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine, and ripe peach, along with flavors of juicy apricot, nectarine, and tropical fruits.
- Low alcohol content: Moscato d'Asti typically has a low alcohol content, usually around 5-7%, making it a lighter and more approachable option for those who prefer beverages with less alcohol intensity.
- Light effervescence: This wine is slightly sparkling, with a delicate and refreshing fizz that adds liveliness to the overall experience.
- Versatile pairing options: Moscato d'Asti pairs well with a variety of foods. Its sweetness makes it an excellent companion for desserts like fruit tarts, cheesecake, and light pastries. It also complements spicy Asian cuisine, soft cheeses, and charcuterie.
Riesling:
Riesling is a versatile and widely loved white wine that can be a great option for those who don't typically enjoy wine. Here are some key characteristics of Riesling:
- Range of sweetness: Riesling wines can span a spectrum of sweetness levels, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. This variety allows you to find a Riesling that suits your taste preferences. If you prefer sweeter wines, look for late-harvest or Spätlese Rieslings.
- Aromatic profile: Riesling is highly aromatic, often exhibiting intense aromas of fruits such as peaches, apricots, apples, and citrus. You may also detect floral notes, such as jasmine and honeysuckle, as well as hints of minerality.
- Refreshing acidity: Riesling is known for its vibrant and refreshing acidity, which balances its sweetness and provides a crisp and lively character. The acidity contributes to the wine's overall freshness and can make it more enjoyable for those who prefer lighter and zesty beverages.
- Food-friendly: Riesling's versatility extends to its food pairing capabilities. Its acidity and range of sweetness levels make it an excellent accompaniment to a wide array of dishes. Riesling pairs well with spicy foods, Asian cuisine, seafood, poultry, and cheese.
- Ageability: Riesling wines can age exceptionally well, developing complex flavors and evolving into a more mature and nuanced profile over time. If you come across aged Rieslings, they can offer a unique experience for wine enthusiasts.
Lambrusco:
Lambrusco is an Italian wine that can be a great option for people who don't typically enjoy wine. It is a semi-sparkling red wine with its origins in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Here are some key characteristics of Lambrusco: Lambrusco's fruity flavors, gentle effervescence, and versatility in pairing options make it an excellent wine for those who typically don't gravitate toward wine. It offers a unique and refreshing experience that can be enjoyed on various occasions.
Rosé:
Rosé is a fantastic wine choice for people who don't typically enjoy wine. It is a style of wine that spans a range of flavors and profiles, offering something for everyone. Here are some key characteristics of rosé:
- Versatility: Rosé wines come in a wide variety of styles, ranging from bone-dry to slightly sweet. This versatility allows you to find a rosé that aligns with your taste preferences. Dry rosés tend to be more crisp and refreshing, while slightly sweeter versions can have a touch of residual sugar for a hint of sweetness.
- Refreshing and Light: Rosé is generally lighter in the body compared to red wines, offering a more delicate and refreshing experience. It often exhibits bright acidity, making it a great choice for those who prefer lighter and zesty beverages.
- Fruit-forward Flavors: Rosé wines are known for their fruit-forward flavors, which can include strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, cherries, and citrus fruits. These flavors add to the overall appeal of rosé and make it a popular choice for casual sipping.
- Wide Range of Origins: Rosé wines are produced in many wine regions around the world, including France (such as Provence and the Loire Valley), Spain, Italy, the United States, and beyond. Each region brings its unique characteristics to the wine, offering a diverse range of options to explore.
Port:
Port is a fortified wine from Portugal that can be a great option for people who don't typically enjoy wine. Here are some key characteristics of Port:
- Sweetness and Richness: Port wines are typically sweet and rich, offering flavors of dark fruits, such as blackberries, cherries, and plums. The sweetness is a result of the addition of grape spirit during fermentation, which stops the process and retains residual sugars. This sweetness can make Port more appealing to those who prefer sweeter flavors.
- Full-bodied and Intense: Port wines have a full-bodied character with a rich and concentrated flavor profile. They often exhibit depth, complexity, and a velvety texture that can be enjoyable for wine enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
- Fortification: Port is a fortified wine, which means it is made by adding a neutral grape spirit, typically brandy, during fermentation. This fortification process raises the alcohol content and also helps preserve some of the natural grape sugars, contributing to the wine's sweetness.
- Range of Styles: Port comes in various styles, including Ruby Port, Tawny Port, Vintage Port, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port, and more. Each style has its own characteristics, aging process, and flavor profiles. Exploring different styles can lead to discovering a Port that suits your preferences.
- Pairing Options: Port is often enjoyed as a dessert wine and pairs wonderfully with a variety of desserts, including chocolate, berries, nuts, and aged cheeses. However, it can also be enjoyed on its own or paired with savory dishes like rich stews, blue cheese, or charcuterie.
Prosecco:
Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Italy, specifically the Veneto region, and it can be a delightful choice for people who don't typically enjoy wine. Here are some key characteristics of Prosecco:
- Light and Refreshing: Prosecco is known for its light and crisp nature, making it a refreshing option for those who prefer lighter beverages. It has a vibrant acidity that adds a zesty quality to the wine.
- Fruity and Floral Flavors: Prosecco often exhibits fruity flavors, including notes of green apple, pear, peach, and citrus fruits. It can also feature floral aromas, such as white flowers and honeysuckle, adding to its pleasant and aromatic profile.
- Effervescence: Prosecco is a sparkling wine, which means it has a lively effervescence that creates a gentle and playful fizz. The bubbles in Prosecco contribute to its refreshing and festive character.
- Versatility and Easy Drinking: Prosecco is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed on various occasions. It is often consumed as an aperitif, but it can also be served throughout a meal or as a celebratory drink. Its approachable nature and easy-drinking qualities make it enjoyable for wine novices.
Gewürztraminer:
Gewürztraminer is a white wine that can be a great option for people who don't typically enjoy wine. It is known for its aromatic and distinct flavor profile. Here are some key characteristics of Gewürztraminer:
- Aromatic Intensity: Gewürztraminer is highly aromatic, offering a bouquet of intense and exotic aromas. It often exhibits notes of lychee, rose petals, passion fruit, tropical fruits, ginger, and spices. The aromatic profile of Gewürztraminer can be captivating and appealing to those who enjoy vibrant and fragrant flavors.
- Richness and Texture: Gewürztraminer wines have a medium to full-bodied character, which contributes to their richness and texture. They can have a slightly oily or viscous mouthfeel that adds to their distinctiveness and can be enjoyable for those seeking a wine with more weight.
- Hint of Sweetness: Gewürztraminer wines can range from dry to slightly sweet, with some examples having a touch of residual sugar. The sweetness, when present, helps balance the wine's natural acidity and can make it more approachable for those who prefer a sweeter taste.
- Spicy and Exotic Pairings: Gewürztraminer's aromatic and flavorful nature makes it a great match for spicy and exotic cuisines. It pairs well with dishes that have elements of heat, such as Asian cuisine, Indian curries, Thai dishes, and aromatic Middle Eastern dishes. The wine's aromatic intensity can complement and enhance the flavors of these cuisines.
- Aging Potential: While Gewürztraminer is often enjoyed young to preserve its vibrant aromas, some high-quality examples can age gracefully and develop more complex and nuanced flavors over time. It can be interesting to explore older vintages of Gewürztraminer for a different experience.
Pinot Grigio:
Pinot Grigio is a white wine that can be an excellent choice for people who don't typically enjoy wine. It is a light and crisp wine with a range of flavors. Here are some key characteristics of Pinot Grigio:
- Light and Crisp: Pinot Grigio is known for its light-bodied nature and refreshing acidity, which gives it a lively and zesty character. It is often enjoyed for its easy-drinking and approachable qualities.
- Citrus and Orchard Fruit Flavors: Pinot Grigio typically exhibits flavors of citrus fruits, such as lemon, lime, and grapefruit, as well as orchard fruits like green apple and pear. These flavors contribute to its clean and refreshing profile.
- Versatile Food Pairing: Pinot Grigio's crispness and acidity make it a versatile wine for pairing with various dishes. It complements lighter fare such as seafood, salads, grilled vegetables, light pasta dishes, and antipasti. Its ability to cut through richness and cleanse the palate makes it an excellent choice for many cuisines.
- Value for Money: Pinot Grigio is often reasonably priced and offers good value for its quality. It is widely available and can be an accessible option for those seeking a white wine that is both enjoyable and affordable.
Chenin Blanc:
Chenin Blanc is a white wine that can be an excellent choice for people who don't typically enjoy wine. It is a versatile grape variety that produces wines with a wide range of styles and flavors. Here are some key characteristics of Chenin Blanc:
- Diversity of Styles: Chenin Blanc can be made in various styles, from dry to off-dry, semi-sweet, and even sparkling. This diversity allows you to find a Chenin Blanc that suits your taste preferences. Dry Chenin Blancs tend to be crisp and refreshing, while sweeter versions can offer a touch of sweetness that can be appealing to those who prefer it.
- Aromatic Profile: Chenin Blanc often exhibits a delightful array of aromas, including citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit, stone fruits like peach and apricot, and floral notes such as honeysuckle and jasmine. These aromas contribute to the wine's allure and can make it enjoyable for those who appreciate fragrant flavors.
- Vibrant Acidity: Chenin Blanc is known for its vibrant acidity, which adds liveliness and freshness to the wine. The acidity provides a crisp and zesty character that can be invigorating for those who prefer lighter and more vibrant beverages.
- Ageability: Chenin Blanc has excellent aging potential, especially in its higher-quality expressions. With time, it can develop complex flavors, honeyed notes, and a richer mouthfeel. Exploring aged Chenin Blancs can offer a unique and rewarding wine experience.
- Food Pairing Versatility: Chenin Blanc's acidity and flavor profile makes it a versatile wine for food pairing. It pairs well with a variety of dishes, including seafood, poultry, creamy cheeses, salads, and spicy Asian cuisine. Its ability to complement different flavors and textures adds to its appeal as a food-friendly wine.
Lambrusco Rosé:
Lambrusco Rosé is a variation of the Lambrusco wine style that offers a unique and enjoyable wine experience. It combines the characteristics of Lambrusco, a semi-sparkling red wine, with the freshness and fruitiness of a rosé wine. Here are some key characteristics of Lambrusco Rosé:
- Vibrant Pink Color: Lambrusco Rosé displays a beautiful pink hue in the glass, which adds to its visual appeal. The color can range from pale pink to deeper shades, depending on the winemaking process and grape varieties used.
- Refreshing and Fruity: Lambrusco Rosé offers a refreshing and fruity flavor profile. It typically exhibits flavors of red berries, including strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. These fruit-forward characteristics contribute to its pleasant and approachable taste.
- Slight Effervescence: Like traditional Lambrusco, Lambrusco Rosé often has a gentle sparkle, providing a lively and playful mouthfeel. The effervescence adds to the wine's refreshing nature and can make it a delightful choice for casual sipping.
- Versatile Pairing Options: Lambrusco Rosé pairs well with a range of foods. Its vibrant acidity and fruity flavors make it an excellent companion for charcuterie, light salads, grilled seafood, fresh cheeses, and even desserts like fruit tarts or sorbets. Its versatility in pairing options makes it suitable for various occasions.
- Enjoyable for Non-Wine Drinkers: Lambrusco Rosé can be a great option for those who typically don't enjoy wine. Its fruity and refreshing characteristics, combined with the light sparkle, make it an accessible and enjoyable choice for casual wine drinkers or those exploring new flavors.