Best Wines for Beginners

The best wines for beginners are those that will not overwhelm the budding wine drinkers senses.

Slideshow:Types of Red Wine

Well, the short answer to that question is no, not really because there are so many different, very subjective opinions when it comes to wine. The long answer is, yes, there are some great wines for the budding wine enthusiast to give a try before taking on the "big dogs" of the wine world. Keep reading for a few simple reasons as to why some wines are better than others for beginning wine drinkers.

At its bare minimum, all wine really is, is fermented grape juice. What gives the wine its body, aroma and flavor characteristics depends on the blend of grapes, the vintners technique and how the wine is stored while it's aging. Beginning wine drinkers want to stick with the simple, less complex wines so as not to overwhelm the taste buds.

If you've ever heard someone refer to the "mouth feel" of a wine, their referring to the viscosity, meaning, how heavy or light does the wine feel in your mouth. Beginning wine lovers need to find wines that are light on the palate.

Whether or not you care about the aromatics of wine depends on how much you want to delve into the wine world. If you are looking to become an expert, you need to learn how to differentiate the subtle aromatic notes in any type of wine. If you're just looking to understand a little more about what you're drinking, the basics will do.

Now, onto a quick list of the best wines for beginners.

It really is a matter of personal preference of whether or not you begin your wine drinking experience with reds or whites, but generally, it's best to begin with white wines. The reason for this is because white wines are lighter bodied and easier on the palate than reds. Here are a few great starter whites:

• Pinot Grigio – One of the most user friendly white wines on the market. Pinot Grigios are light bodied and crisp, both in finish and flavor characteristics. Give Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio a try.
• Chardonnay – Be careful with Chards if you're just getting into wine. Some, especially those from California, tend to be heavy, and sometimes overwhelming, on the oak both on the palate and aromatically. If you want to give a newbie-friendly chardonnay a shot, try Wishing Tree Unoaked Chardonnay or Hess Select Chardonnay. Both of these are exceptionally easy to drink as well as pretty easy on the wallet.

Now on to the reds.

Just as with white wines, you want to start out with simple reds. Then, as your wine palate develops, move on to the complex, full-bodied reds. Here are a few suggestions for a jumping off point:

• Pinot Noir – Light to medium bodied and super food friendly. It's so easy to fall in love with a Pinot Noir, even if you don't fancy yourself a red wine enthusiast. Need some suggestions? Try Lindeman's Bin 99, Devil's Corner from Tamar Ridge or McMurray Ranch Pinot Noir.
• Syrah – Syrah and its Australian sibling, Shiraz, are one in the same. Australian Shirazs tend to be a bit on the peppery side while Syrahs tend to be a bit more fruity. For Shiraz, pick up a bottle of Penfold's or d'Arenberg. As for the Syrah's, try a bottle of Qupe Central Coast or Eaglepoint Ranch.

Whether you begin your wine journey by taking some of the best wines for beginners suggestions made here or decide to venture out on your own, try tasting a few different bottles of a certain type of red or white wine to really get a feel for it. Remember, there really is no right and wrong when it comes to wine and never be afraid to simply drink what you love, no matter if the bottle costs you eight dollars or $80.

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