I have never been a wine drinker, what is a good wine for a new drinker?

Answer 1

Find a wine shop near you! Most of them these days will always have several bottles open at any time for you to taste. They also will someone knowledgeable to discuss your likes, dislikes, and how you intend to use it.

You could also try ordering something from the house wines by the glass at your local bar or restaurant (and ask your server for recommendations. Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc are 4 of the more common choices most places will have.)

This is the beginning of a process. It's far more complicated than figuring out whether you like Coke or Pepsi.

There are so many varieties, styles. prices. etc... that it is impossible to give you an easy TRY THIS type answer.

Answer 2

I am a fairly new wine drinker myself, and I had to try several different types in the restaurant where I used to work. I am a huge fan of rieslings, some white zins (although most wine connoisseurs hardly count white zins as wine), sauvignon blancs (which taste similar to rieslings, just a little drier), and the occasional merlot. I would recommend trying any of these before "graduating" to most reds, as they are often a lot more dry. I would definitely not try a shiraz, cabernet, chardonnay (obviously a white), or red zinfandel right away. Those are wines for which one has to acquire a taste.

Answer 3

It's best to start with a wine that is light, fruity, slightly sweet and low in tannin. White Zin is a great "intro" wine because it has all these characters. Make sure you serve it chilled and add a frozen strawberry to it (like an ice cube) to make it more fun. After you get used to White Zin, start trying different white wines, some sweet and some dry. You'll find that some are good and others not so good - it really depends on your palate. Don't try reds initially. The tannins will seem harsh and might turn you off.

Answer 4

Wine Zin is definitely going to be the best wine to start out with. It's sweet like juice.
Then Riesling. It taste a little more like wine, but it's still sweet and has a great taste.
Don't go for CHEAP wine....or the next morning, you'll swear off drinking wine all together. Get a decent, but fair priced wine like Mondavi or even Yellow Tail.

Answer 5

Everyone has different tastes so I highly recommend wine tasting at a local winery. They will let you try a variety of wines for free and you can purchase only those wines which you like. It is a fun experience and the people there are usually very helpful. St. Julians winery in Michigan is where I go to do my wine tasting. The folks there have taught me alot about the different flavors of wine and different wine terminology. Over time, I learned what I like and don't like. Try it out, Its a Blast!

My personal recommendations for a first wine:
Riesling (I prefer St. Julians which is under $12) or 2002 Zilliken Butterfly Riesling $17
Oliver Camelot Mead (honey wine) $9
Blue Heron $8

Answer 6

Most new wine drinkers prefer sweet wines, like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and White Zinfandel. After you have tried a few of those, it is easier to try dry wines like Chardonnay and red wines.

Answer 7

Try Yellow Tail Shiraz or Kendal Jackson Chardonnay.

Answer 8

I started with a White Zindandel (Berringer is fairly cheap and a nice place to start). It is light and sweet, and is easy to sip. I progressed my wine apprciation from mild and sweet to heavier and red. Another good starter would be a Riesling.

Answer 9

I have served wine to people for a long time as a server and it is part of my job to find a wine that new wine drinkers like. I always suggest Rieslings from germany. all german rieslings are sweet and easy to consume. and they are a very respected grape vs. the white zinfandel. The only problem with german rieslings is that they are hard to find in a local grocery store, you need to go to a wine store to find them. You want to chill them (as with most white wines). Ask the clerk for a Spatlese or Auslese basically this is the grape that is used with german rieslings. I promise that you will without a doubt love this wine, even my customers that swore they would not like it loved it!!!! of coarse you can also go with the cheap white zin. that most older people and folks that dont know much about wine for some reason like. But the riesling will be even sweeter and better tasting then the zin. and you will look like you know what you are talking about. As soon as someone asks for white zin at a restaurant, you are labeled that you dont know much about wine. But some people really like it, my boyfriends mother will only drink white zin. but i think that is b/c she doesnt know what else is out there.

but if you do decide to try a riesling dont get anythign but a german one. California rieslings are not nearly as good or sweet.

for a good red wine, try pinot nior.. its a little pricy and alot of cheaper restaurants dont even serve it ( olive garden) it is the only red wine that is easy to drink, its really smooth but start with tthe riesling and then work your way to it. and for whites dont bother trying chard or pinot gris I can almost promise you , that you will not like them.

unfortunatly most restaurants on the lower scale only sell merlot, cab, piniot grigio(gris), chard. this makes it a little difficult. the reasons for this is that all of those grapes are easily grown in the states and therefore can be mass produced in different winerys therefore making them cheaper and more appealing to the public, but that doesnt necessarily mean that the taste better , i dont like any of them. I only drink Pinot Nior (RED, i like it from oregon or WA), Sauvignon blanc (white, preferably australian) and german Rieslings (white, from germany) Alot of people in the restaurant business will agree with me on these wines.

you may also like sparkling red wine , very sweet almost a desert in itself try rose regale

Answer 10

Sweet Rose'