Wine for Beginners: Your Ultimate Guide To Wine Drinking

Whether it’s accompanying a religious ceremony or your weekly girls’ night Bachelorette watch party, humans have been drinking wine for thousands of years. With all this history, comes a fair share of complicated terminology. Keep reading for a beginner-friendly break down on all things wine. Learn the most popular types of wine, as well as how to actually understand a wine label, describe a wine’s taste, and properly serve wine to your guests.

The Main Types of Wine

Red Wine

Red wine is basically wine made from dark-colored grape varieties. When these grapes are crushed and fermented, their skins, seeds, and sometimes even stems are left in the mix. That’s where the red color comes from!

During fermentation, the grape skins release pigments called anthocyanins, which give the wine its red hue. And it’s not just about the color; these skins also add tannins, which give red wine its characteristic dryness and structure.

• What are tannins? Tannins are natural compounds that come from the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes, as well as from oak barrels sometimes used in aging wine. In terms of taste, tannins can give wine that dry and slightly bitter sensation in your mouth. They’re what make your mouth feel a bit puckery or astringent after you take a sip.

Red wines can vary a lot in taste, from fruity and light to full-bodied.

• Light-Bodied Red Wine

Light-bodied red wine is  typically lighter in color and has fewer tannins, which means it’s not as heavy or intense on your palate. When you sip a light-bodied red, you’ll often notice fruity and fresh flavors. Think of stuff like cherry, raspberry, or maybe even a hint of herbs or flowers. It’s usually got a crisp acidity, making it super refreshing and easy to drink.

Popular light-bodied reds you might’ve heard of include Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or Gamay. They’re great for sipping on a sunny day or pairing with lighter dishes like grilled chicken or salads.

• Full-Bodied Red Wine

Full-bodied reds are usually darker in color and have high tannins. In a full-bodied red wine, you’ll often notice dark fruits like blackberry or plum, along with hints of spice, chocolate, or even tobacco.

Because they’re so robust, full-bodied reds can stand up to hearty and flavorful dishes like steaks, stews, or anything grilled. Popular full-bodied reds you might know include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, and Malbec.

White Wine

Instead of using dark-colored grapes, white wine is made from green or yellowish grapes — and sometimes even red grapes with the skins removed.

Taste-wise, white wines can vary a lot. You’ve got everything from crisp and zesty wines with flavors like citrus or green apple, to richer, more buttery wines with hints of vanilla or tropical fruits.

• Light-Bodied White Wine

Light-bodied whites are usually pretty crisp and refreshing. When you take a sip, you might notice zesty flavors like lemon, lime, or green apple. They’ve often got this lively acidity that makes your mouth water and keeps things super refreshing.

Because they’re so light and zippy, these wines are awesome for sipping on their own or pairing with lighter dishes. Think salads, seafood, or maybe some grilled veggies. They’re also great for patio sipping on a sunny day!

Some popular light-bodied white wines you might know include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Vinho Verde. They’re the kind of wines that are super easy to drink, even for folks who aren’t big wine drinkers.

• Full-Bodied White Wine

When drinking a full-bodied white wine, you’ll often notice flavors that are a bit more intense and complex, such as ripe tropical fruits or creamy vanilla. Texture-wise, full-bodied whites often have a bit more weight to them. They can feel creamy or oily on your palate, which gives them this luxurious feel.

Because they’re so bold and flavorful, full-bodied whites can stand up to richer, more flavorful dishes. Think creamy pastas, grilled chicken, or even some heartier seafood dishes.

Popular full-bodied white wines you might know include Chardonnay (especially those from warmer climates or aged in oak), Viognier, and some styles of Gewürztraminer. Rosé Wine

Rosé

Rosé gets its pink or light red color from letting the grape skins hang out with the grape juice for a little while during fermentation. This gives the wine a hint of color, but not as much as you’d find in a red wine.

Taste-wise, rosé is usually somewhere in the middle too. It’s not as fruity and light as some white wines, but it’s also not as bold and robust as most red wines. Instead, it’s often crisp, refreshing, and super easy to drink.

Rosé wines can vary a lot in flavor, from bone-dry and zesty to a bit sweeter and fruitier. They’re great for sipping on their own, especially on a sunny day, or they can pair really well with a wide range of foods.

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine is basically wine with bubbles in it. Instead of being flat like most wines, it’s got that fun fizziness that tickles your tongue when you take a sip.

The bubbles come from a second fermentation process that happens in the bottle. This creates carbon dioxide, which gets trapped in the wine and gives it that bubbly goodness.

The most famous sparkling wine is Champagne from France, but you’ve also got Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain, and lots of other sparkling wines from all over the world.

Sparkling wine is great for celebrating special occasions, like birthdays or New Year’s Eve, but it’s also great for just adding a little extra fun to any day.

Dessert or Sweet Wines

Unlike some wines that are more dry or tart, sweet wines have a noticeable sugariness to them. The sweetness in these wines comes from residual sugar that’s left over after fermentation. In simple terms, not all the sugar in the grape juice gets turned into alcohol during the winemaking process, so what’s left gives the wine that sweet flavor.

Sweet wines come in all kinds of flavors and styles. You’ve got everything from light and fruity wines with flavors like peach or strawberry, to richer, dessert-like wines with notes of honey, caramel, or even chocolate.

Some popular types of sweet wine you might know include Moscato, Riesling, and Port. They’re great for sipping on their own, especially if you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, or they can pair really well with desserts like fruit tarts, cheesecake, or chocolate fondue.

How to Read a Wine Label

Reading a wine label might seem a bit tricky at first, but it’s actually pretty straightforward once you know what to look for. Here’s a quick rundown:

Producer

This is basically the name of the winemaker — sometimes called a vintner — or the company that made the wine. It’s like the artist’s signature on a painting. If you’ve had a wine you love from a certain producer, you might keep an eye out for their name when you’re shopping for more.

Vintage

The vintage is the year the grapes were harvested. Some wines will have a specific year on the label, which can give you an idea of how old the wine is and what kind of growing conditions the grapes had that year. If it’s non-vintage, that means the grapes could come from different years, which can sometimes mean the wine is more consistent from year to year.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV)

This is basically telling you how strong the wine is. It’s usually shown as a percentage, like 13% ABV. A higher ABV means the wine has more alcohol.

Wine Type

There are actually a couple different ways you can describe a wine’s “type”. Each way gives you a different piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding and appreciating wine.

• Type: Wine type can refer to its style or how it’s made. Like we mentioned earlier, this could include whether it’s red, white, rosé, sparkling etc. Each type of wine has its own characteristics and flavors you can learn to expect.
• Variety: This refers to the variety of grape used to make the wine. This can give you a good idea of what the wine might taste like. For example, a Chardonnay is a white wine made from Chardonnay grapes, and it’s often described as being fruity with flavors like apple, pear, or citrus.
• Region: Describing a wine by its region means focusing on where the grapes were grown. Different regions have different climates, soils, and winemaking traditions, which can all affect the taste of the wine. It’s more common to describe European wines this way. For example, wines from the Bordeaux region in France are often described as being complex and full-bodied, with flavors like blackcurrant, plum, and tobacco.
  • Pro Tip: If the region listed on the bottle is super vague (like France or California) , it’s likely the wine is of lower quality than if the specific state or vineyard is mentioned.

How to Describe a Wine’s Taste

Wine lingo can get pretty fancy (unnecessarily so, in my opinion). Here are some common ways people describe wine:

Acidity

Think of this as the wine’s zing or zip. Wines with high acidity make your mouth water and feel refreshing, kind of like biting into a lemon. Lower acidity wines might feel smoother and less tart.

Sweetness

This one’s pretty straightforward—it’s about how sweet the wine tastes. Some wines, like dessert wines or Moscato, are sweet and sugary, while others, like most reds, are dry and not sweet at all.

Dryness

Dryness is the opposite of sweetness. A dry wine doesn’t taste sweet; it’s more crisp and sometimes a bit tart. If you’re not a fan of sweet drinks, you’ll probably like dry wines.

Tannins

Tannins give wine that dry and puckery feeling in your mouth, kind of like when you drink strong black tea. Red wines usually have more tannins than whites, and they can give the wine a bit of structure and grip.

Alcohol

This one’s pretty easy—it’s about how boozy the wine is. Wines with higher alcohol content might feel warmer and stronger, while lower alcohol wines feel lighter.

Aroma Compounds

These are the smells you get from the wine. You might pick up fruity scents like apple or berry, or maybe something floral, spicy, or even earthy. It’s all about what your nose picks up!

Body

This is about how heavy or light the wine feels in your mouth. Full-bodied wines feel rich and full, while light-bodied wines feel more delicate and easy-going.

Finish

The finish is basically the aftertaste. A long finish means the flavors stick around in your mouth for a while after you’ve swallowed the wine.

How to Store Wine

Storing wine correctly preserves its flavor and longevity.

• Position: Bottles should be stored on their side to keep the cork moist, preventing it from drying out and letting air in. This is where wine racks come into play. They ensure bottles lie horizontally and provide a space-efficient storage solution.
• Temperature: Ideally, wines should be stored at around 55°F. Too cold, and the wine can become dormant. Too hot, and it may age prematurely.
• Light: Wine dislikes too much light, especially UV rays, which can degrade it over time.

How to Serve Wine in 3 Easy Steps

The hardest part about serving wine is always going to be opening the bottle — an electric wine opener is going to be your best friend for this.

1. Place the wine opener on a stable surface near the bottle. Use the foil cutter (or scissors) to remove the foil capsule from the top of the bottle, exposing the cork.
2. Position the corkscrew of the wine opener in the center of the cork and apply gentle pressure while activating the opener. Once the corkscrew is fully inserted, press the button to remove the cork automatically.
3. Hold the bottle by the base or neck and pour the wine into your glass, tilting the bottle slightly to avoid spills. Take a moment to appreciate the wine’s aroma and color, swirling it gently in the glass to aerate it.

Serving Wine: Temperature, Food Pairings and More

White Wine

• Temperature: Serve chilled but not too cold. About 45-55°F (7-12°C) is usually good.
• Glass: Use a smaller, narrower glass to keep it cool longer.
• Pairing: Goes well with lighter foods like fish, chicken, and salads.

Red Wine

• Temperature: Serve at room temperature or slightly cooler, around 60-65°F (15-18°C).
• Glass: Use a larger, rounder glass to let the aromas open up.
• Pairing: Great with heartier foods like steak, pasta, and cheese.

Rosé

• Temperature: Serve chilled, around 45-55°F (7-12°C).
• Glass: Similar to white wine, a smaller glass works best.
• Pairing: Versatile! Goes with a lot of foods, from seafood to BBQ.

Sparkling Wine

• Temperature: Serve well chilled, around 40-45°F (4-7°C).
• Glass: Use a tall, narrow flute to keep those bubbles popping.
• Pairing: Perfect for celebrations or pairing with appetizers.

Sweet or Dessert Wine

• Temperature: Serve chilled, around 45-50°F (7-10°C).
• Glass: A smaller glass is usually best.
• Pairing: Great with desserts or as a dessert on its own

The Basics of Wine, Simplified

Understanding wine can seem overwhelming with all the terminology, but it doesn’t have to be. By knowing the basics — like the main types of wine, how to read a label, describe its taste, and serve it properly—you’ll be well on your way to becoming a wine aficionado.

Whether you’re enjoying a casual glass at home or pairing it with a gourmet meal, wine is all about savoring the moment. So, raise your glass and cheers to the wonderful world of wine!