It may seem like everyone is jumping on the wine bandwagon. However, there are still many people out there who are just learning to like wine or dislike it for one reason or another. The popularity of wine in our society can’t be denied. From wine tastings and painting parties, wine drinking has become not only a popular pastime, but also a lifestyle.

If you don’t enjoy the taste of wine, chances are it’s because you’ve been drinking the wrong kind. Fortunately, learning to like wine is quite simple. Although there is a vast variety of wines from which to choose, from sweet and fruity to bold and rich, learning some of the basic terminology and styles of wine can help you narrow down the flavors you enjoy. 

If you are new to wine, start with a white or a rosé. Beginning with a lighter-bodied wine can be a great step to learning to enjoy a variety of wines! Just as your food preferences evolve as you mature, the wines you enjoy are also likely to change over time. A lighter-bodied wine is a wine that with an alcohol level of up to about 12.5%. These wines are easy-drinking and much more delicate. If you would like sweet options we recommend Smitten, Social Butterfly, Envy, or Reserve Late Harvest Riesling. If your palette is leaning more dry you should give our BFF, Motu Viget Eye Candy, Coastline White Blend, or Reserve Pinot Grigio wines a try. 

It is common that most people first enjoy a sweet white or rosé wine, then later fall in love with dry reds or wines with more distinctive flavors. While each person’s experience is different, an early distaste for drier wines or wines with high tannins may be due to their unique flavor and sharp bitterness.

There are also many helpful tips to help you identify and enhance the flavors of your wine and make your wine-drinking experience more enjoyable. With the right wine style, you may not even realize you’re drinking wine. 

Another great tip is to identify flavors that you like! Since wine embodies many different flavor notes, from fruits and nuts to flowers and chocolate, knowing the types of flavors you enjoy in both food and beverages can help you to choose a proper wine variety. 

It is also very important to choose wines that pair well with foods you enjoy. While different varieties of wine are best paired with specific foods, it’s impossible to remember all of the pairing rules. A good basic rule of thumb is that white wines pair well with chicken, pork, and fish, while red wines pair best with beef and lamb.

Lastly, the addition of fruit to wine not only sweetens the taste, but also infuses it with a flavor boost. Try to choose fruits that are already present in your wine. Strawberries, raspberries, oranges, lemons and limes are fruits that are commonly added to wine. If this is something that you enjoy, try our Sangria wines. We have a classic Red Sangria as well as a Lemonade Sangria and a Blood Orange Sangria. 

The type of wine you ultimately choose depends on many factors, including your flavor preferences, mood, and food choice. When picking wine as a beginner, it’s best to purchase somewhere with great selection and service. Stop by one of our tasting rooms and one of our wine consultants can help you pick out the perfect bottle (or two) for the person you are buying for. The best part is that you can even have a taste before you purchase!

Ready to learn more? Continue on with your wine learning journey – learn more about the structural elements of wine here or about the nine basic styles of wine here.