Beginners should start with light red wines that fall between dry and sweet with fruity notes. Avoid wines with strong smoky, earthy or grassy notes that could overwhelm their palate.

Search out wines with low to moderate tannin levels (the “cotton mouth” sensation) and fruit-forward flavors like Gamay or Pinot Noir; these may be less expensive options compared to fuller-bodied styles high in tannins and alcohol content.

Watch out for Certain Markers.

Red wine may seem intimidating at first, but learning it doesn’t need to be intimidating. Newcomers must remember that not everyone speaks the same language when it comes to wine – there are certain markers you should watch out for so that your journey gets off on an encouraging start.

As wine can sometimes be bitter, many novice drinkers don’t enjoy experiencing it at first. This bitterness comes from tannins found naturally in grape skins and seeds; to help ensure an enjoyable first experience it’s best for beginners to start out with low tannin wines such as Pinot Grigio.

As a general guideline from nyc horus, it’s always wise to sample wine at least five times before making an opinionated judgement about whether you like it or not. This allows you to sample without becoming inebriated, providing more data-based decisions and decisions made with greater care and accuracy.

Pick the right glass.

Begin your wine tasting experience by choosing a clear glass with thin rims. This allows you to see both its color and any legs it may possess; these bits of solids that cling onto wine when it is poured out.

The shape of a glass matters because it determines how aromas travel to your nose. Narrower openings focus aromas more tightly, which is ideal for delicate wines like Rose. Wider bowls allow air flow, amplifying bolder aromas.

Red wines pair beautifully with many foods, but there are certain ones you should avoid when pairing it with wine – for instance brussel sprouts and asparagus contain sulfur compounds that react with iron in red wines to create an unpleasant fishy flavor, while red wines shouldn’t be combined with seafood because its oils may react negatively with tannins in red wines, creating bitter tasting beverages.

Pour the wine.

As a beginner to wine, try pouring your bottle of red into a specially designed wine glass to help aerate it as it flows in and release aromas and flavors more fully. This will help unlock all its aromas and flavors for optimal enjoyment!

A good wine glass features a wider bowl, which allows more air into contact with the wine during its pour. To bring out its full potential, serve chilled wines.

As you pour a glass of wine, observe its color. The deeper its hue is, the older and more mature its content is.

As a wine novice, consider selecting light-to-medium-bodied red wines such as Gamay (popular among some as “alcoholic cranberry juice”), Pinot Noir or Merlot as suitable introductions as these types have lower tannin levels making them more suitable for beginners’ palettes.

Take a sip.

As you swirl the wine, pay attention to how its color fades around the edges of the glass; this can provide an indicator of its age and whether oxidation has taken place.

Take a small sip and let it roll over your tongue – this will enable you to detect acid, alcohol (which will feel like a slow burn on the top of your mouth and gum line), tannins, body (how long the wine lingers on your palate) and body.

Avoid being intimidated by the thought of spitting! Many experts advise spitting to slow your drinking pace and to allow your senses to more accurately assess wine. Incorporating some spit in between tasting sessions also helps maintain balance among flavors; depending on the wine this could include sweet, sour, bitter or dry notes; in some cases even spicy or salty notes may occur (though less common with beginners).