The Best Red Wines for Beginners.

Do you ever feel bewildered at the grocery store when you stand in endless rows of wine? We have all been there. No need to scour all the different type of red wines. Today we're going to talk to you about the 5 best red wines for new wine drinkers and get your palate salivating. Welcome to Wine Basics by Philip Pino, where we create wine education videos for beginners and wine lovers. There are more than 50 different types of red wine, and as a new wine drinker, your taste buds may be a bit inexperienced. Every wine professional started here and learned how to enjoy different types of red wine. You will too, but for starters, here is what we recommend. Our first red wine pick is Pinot Noir. Although it is one of the most prized wines in the world, its light-bodied structure is perfect for beginners, having lower tannins and food-friendly levels of acidity. Pinot Noir is light in character but bursting with bold fruit aromas. The acidity is higher than some other red wines, but it's very enjoyable. The birthplace of Pinot Noir is in Burgundy, France, where some of the most expensive wines in the world are made. This wine grape grows in most wine regions in the world, and wine drinkers are seduced by its red fruit, herbal, and earthy characteristics. Though Burgundy is the capital of Pinot Noir, those made in California, Oregon, Germany, and New Zealand are excellent and should not be missed. Pinot Noir will pair with most food types due to its versatility, plus it's a real palate-pleaser. It's a good all-around wine to have stocked for any meal or social occasion that might arise. Our second red wine pick is Zinfandel. More specifically, Red Zinfandel, which should not be confused with the sweet rosé style called White Zinfandel. Zinfandels from California are a sure-fire winner for drinkers who are just discovering red wine. Its fruit-forward profile makes it a crowd-pleaser for beginners. It's classified as being a medium-bodied to full-bodied wine, with medium acidity, medium tannins, and a generous level of alcohol. Medium-bodied wines are the in-between happy place for the red wine drinking world. It has a concentrated taste that is packed full of jammy flavors, blueberries, cranberries, cherries, plums, and licorice. Its finish often displays black pepper and spicy notes. Meats such as turkey, pork, ham, and veal make a solid pairing match. But brisket and sausage dishes that are rich in flavor will make your Zinfandel sing. Our third red wine pick is Sangiovese. Sangiovese is the most planted red grape in Italy. It's found in Umbria, Toscana, and Compagna, and is a bit of a chameleon. The vines adapt to the environment they grow in, and this is reflected in the variations in flavor of the final wine. Sangiovese has bright red fruits such as strawberries, red plums, and red cherries. Other flavors and aromas include dry roses, potpourri, roasted peppers, oregano thyme, earthy hints of leather, clay, and bricks. Wines are usually aged in neutral oak, so you may notice some light oak nuances in the blend. Though high in acidity and tannins, you will fall in love with this bright and savory red wine, especially if you pair it with rich roasted meats, cured sausages, and strong hard cheeses. The good news for vegetarians is that it is perfect with roast veggies and dishes that are rich in butter and olive oil. But of course, Sangiovese is a perfect match for Italian dishes. Our fourth pick is the mighty Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted red wine grape in the world, and arguably the most popular. This is a wine every beginner should know. It's a full-bodied wine that appeals to all levels of wine drinkers. Cabernet Sauvignon originates from France, where it is made into some of the most coveted and expensive wines in the world. Why? Because Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most age-worthy wines that is often saved in personal wine cellars and collections, with some wines still tasting great after 50-plus years. It is the king of red wines and has been planted in every part of the wine-producing world, but most notably in Bordeaux, France, and Napa Valley, California. Cabernet Sauvignon is also known to play well with others and is blended with other grape varieties in other wine regions. It has high tannins and acidity that are coupled with rich, dark fruit flavors such as cassis, black cherry, and blackberry. You might discover green and black pepper notes or even vanilla, clove, and tobacco, with pleasant hints of oak. It has a beautiful fruity softness that endears to any red wine drinker. Cabernet Sauvignon will happily pair with most meat dishes, perfect for a burger that is garnished with aged cheddar cheese, mushrooms, or bacon. The bold tannins and rich acidity cut right through the fat of a nice piece of prime rib steak, a classic pairing. Cabernet Sauvignon is vegetable-friendly and loves a variety of different mushroom dishes or a nice plate of smoked tofu. Despite being a full-bodied wine, Cabernet Sauvignon is easier to pair with food than you might imagine. Another friendly full-bodied wine is Malbec. Malbec has become synonymous with fine Argentinian wine over the past 30 years. Here, it has grown in some of the highest elevations in the world. Argentina is also the biggest exporter of Malbec wine. But although Malbec is celebrated as an Argentinian, the origins of Malbec are French through and through. Originally from southwest France, it was planted by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Malbec is very approachable, and though it is full-bodied with strong tannins, it will seduce you with black and bold fruit flavors that lead to a long and delectable finish. One popular characteristic of Malbec is its opaque purple color and bright magenta rim. Argentinian Malbec is more fruit-driven and has higher alcohol levels, with vivacious full flavors of blackberry, plum, and cherry. French Malbec is more austere, with red fruit and red plum flavors, as well as black pepper and smoky tobacco notes. Both are excellent and pair well with rich foods such as duck, steak, pork, poultry, and lamb. Fatty fish such as salmon is also a perfect match. Avoid acidic dishes as this can make the wine taste a bit metallic. A great idea would be to try an Argentinian and a French Malbec at the same time and compare them to each other. Now you're ready to get started in the wonderful world of red wine. Now that you have five red wines to try, run to your nearest wine shop or grocery store and try these out!