How to Choose Your First Wine Without Knowing Anything (And Not Fail in the Attempt)
Forget boring rules and indecipherable labels: discover the perfect wine for you, easily and directly.
Start Your Enological Journey Successfully
Standing in front of the wine shelf (or browsing an online store) can be intimidating. Between French or Italian names, vintages, varietals, and such disparate prices, it's very easy to end up choosing the bottle with the prettiest label or the most attractive offer without knowing what to expect.
The good news is that **you don't need to be a sommelier or use fancy terms** to enjoy a great glass. In this guide, we give you 4 simple steps to make the right first purchase without complications. Discover our exclusive recommendations and buy the best labels online directly from our store.
4 Simple Steps to Choose with Confidence
1. Think About Your Everyday Flavors
Your tastes in food and drink say a lot about what wine you will enjoy:
• Do you like bitter black coffee and dark chocolate? Go for a Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.
We recommend for purchase today:
Buy Balance Classic Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Western Cape Red Wine →
Wine from South Africa
• Do you prefer lemonades, iced tea, or mild flavors? Look for a Sauvignon Blanc or a Rosé Wine.
We recommend ordering online:
Mexican Wine
Buy Nebbiolo Pozo de Luna Rosé Wine →
• Do you like red fruit smoothies or lattes? You'll love a Merlot or Malbec.
We recommend acquiring:
Mexican Wine
Buy Erebo Merlot 2024 Mexican Red Wine →
2. Look for "Young" or Fruity Wines
For beginners, wines that have spent a lot of time in barrels (Crianza or Reserva) can feel very astringent, dry, or heavy. "Young" or "unoaked" wines are lighter, respect fresh fruit flavors, and are much easier to drink on any occasion.
We recommend this Young Wine for your purchase:
Italian Wine
Buy Rocca Sangiovese Red Wine →
3. The Price Rule: The Myth of the Most Expensive
The most expensive wine is not automatically the one you will like the most. In the mid-range, you will find excellent quality labels that are very kind to novice palates. Don't overspend until you discover what flavor profile you enjoy.
We recommend buying:
Armenian Wine:
Buy Karasi Collection Areni Noir Red Dry Red Wine →
4. Temperature Matters
A common beginner's mistake is serving red wine too warm and white wine excessively cold. Chill your red for about 15-20 minutes before opening it, and take your white out of the refrigerator 10 minutes beforehand to better enjoy its aromas.
Quick Cheat Sheet for Beginners
| Grape / Type | Flavor Profile | Ideal For... |
|---|---|---|
| Merlot / Malbec (Red) | Smooth, fruity, low bitterness. | Pizzas, pastas, burgers or on its own. |
| Sauvignon Blanc (White) | Citrusy, super fresh, light. | Salads, seafood, hot afternoons. |
| Dry Rosé Wine | Strawberry notes, fresh and versatile. | Cheese board, sushi or as an aperitif. |
"The best wine is not the most expensive or the most awarded: it's simply the one you enjoy."
Ready for your first bottle?
Explore our recommended wine collection to begin your enological journey at the best price and with guaranteed safe shipping directly to your door.
Shop Wines for Beginners
