7 Red Wines Perfect for Beginners (And How to Pick Your First Bottle)

Not all red wines are created equal. Here are the most approachable ones to start your journey.

Red wine can be intimidating.

You’re standing in a store staring at walls of bottles with French names you can’t pronounce, vintage years that may or may not matter, and price tags ranging from $8 to $800. Where do you even start?

Here’s the good news: some red wines are specifically made to be enjoyed by everyone, including people who aren’t sure they even like red wine. They’re smooth, fruity, and forgiving. No decoder ring required.

These are the seven red wines I recommend to every beginner. Master these, and you’ll have a foundation for exploring everything else.

What Makes a Red Wine “Beginner-Friendly”?

Before we dive in, let’s talk about what we’re looking for:

Lower tannins: Tannins are what create that dry, puckering sensation (like strong tea). High-tannin wines can be off-putting if you’re not used to them.

Fruit-forward flavors: Wines that taste like recognizable fruit (berries, cherries, plums) rather than earth, leather, or tobacco.

Smooth finish: No harsh edges or aggressive alcohol burn.

Versatile with food: Wines that don’t require a specific pairing to enjoy.

Reasonable price: Great examples available in the $12 to $25 range.

Now, let’s meet the wines.

1. Pinot Noir

Why beginners love it: Pinot Noir is the gentle introduction to red wine. Light-bodied with silky tannins, it’s often described as “elegant” rather than “powerful.”

What it tastes like: Red cherries, strawberries, and raspberries. Some versions have hints of earth, mushroom, or spice.

Where to look:

• Oregon: Fruit-forward, approachable, excellent value
• California (Sonoma, Santa Barbara): Richer, riper fruit
• Burgundy, France: More earthy and complex (and pricier)
• New Zealand: Vibrant and pure

Food pairings: Salmon, roast chicken, mushroom dishes, charcuterie

Price range: $15 to $30 for quality bottles

Try this: Look for an Oregon Pinot Noir in the $18 to $25 range. Willamette Valley is the region to know.

2. Merlot

Why beginners love it: Merlot is soft, plush, and instantly likeable. It’s the red wine for people who think they don’t like red wine.

What it tastes like: Plums, black cherries, chocolate, and sometimes a hint of herbs. Medium body with velvety tannins.

Where to look:

• Washington State: Exceptional value, plush and ripe
• California: Fruit-forward and smooth
• Bordeaux, France: More structured, often blended
• Chile: Great budget options

Food pairings: Burgers, pizza, roast pork, hard cheeses

Price range: $12 to $25 for solid bottles

Try this: Washington State Merlot, especially from Columbia Valley. Incredible quality for the price.

3. Malbec

Why beginners love it: Malbec from Argentina is like a warm hug in a glass: rich, smooth, and almost universally crowd-pleasing. It’s become one of the most popular red wines for good reason.

What it tastes like: Blackberries, plums, dark chocolate, and violet flowers. Full-bodied but with softer tannins than you’d expect.

Where to look:

• Mendoza, Argentina: The spiritual home of Malbec
• Cahors, France: The original source, more rustic
• California: Riper, fruit-forward style

Food pairings: Steak (obviously), grilled meats, empanadas, aged cheeses

Price range: $10 to $20 for excellent Argentine bottles

Try this: Any Mendoza Malbec in the $12 to $18 range. Look for “High Altitude” on the label, as it usually indicates better quality.

4. Grenache (Garnacha)

Why beginners love it: Grenache is juicy, fruity, and easy-drinking. It’s often described as having a “sweet fruit” character even though it’s technically dry.

What it tastes like: Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, with hints of white pepper and dried herbs. Light to medium body.

Where to look:

• Spain (as Garnacha): Excellent value, fruit-driven
• Southern Rhône, France: Often blended, more complex
• Australia: Ripe and generous

Food pairings: Mediterranean dishes, grilled vegetables, lamb, tapas

Price range: $10 to $20 for great examples

Try this: Spanish Garnacha from regions like Calatayud or Campo de Borja. Absurd value.

5. Zinfandel

Why beginners love it: California Zinfandel is bold, fruity, and unapologetically fun. It’s not subtle, but it’s not trying to be.

What it tastes like: Jammy blackberries and raspberries, black pepper, sometimes a hint of sweetness. Full-bodied with moderate tannins.

Where to look:

• California (Lodi, Paso Robles, Sonoma): The heartland
• Puglia, Italy (as Primitivo): The grape’s origin, often great value

Food pairings: BBQ ribs, burgers, pizza, spicy food

Price range: $12 to $25 for solid bottles

Try this: Lodi Zinfandel. The region produces ripe, approachable wines at fair prices.

6. Carmenère

Why beginners love it: Chile’s signature grape produces medium-bodied wines with an interesting herbal character that’s unique but not overwhelming.

What it tastes like: Red and black fruit, green bell pepper, coffee, and spice. Smooth tannins and a savory edge.

Where to look:

• Chile: Virtually the only source, and prices are great
• Colchagua Valley: Premium region

Food pairings: Grilled meats, roasted vegetables, Mexican food, aged cheddar

Price range: $10 to $18 for quality bottles

Try this: Any Chilean Carmenère in the $12 to $15 range. It’s one of the best value-to-quality ratios in wine.

7. Barbera

Why beginners love it: Italian Barbera is bright, lively, and incredibly food-friendly. Low tannins and high acidity make it refreshing rather than heavy.

What it tastes like: Sour cherries, raspberries, herbs, and a pleasant tangy quality. Medium body.

Where to look:

• Piedmont, Italy (Barbera d’Asti, Barbera d’Alba): The classic region
• California: Riper, fruitier style

Food pairings: Pasta with red sauce, pizza, grilled chicken, tomato-based dishes

Price range: $12 to $22 for great bottles

Try this: Barbera d’Asti. It’s generally fruitier and more approachable than Barbera d’Alba.

Quick Reference Chart

How to Pick Your First Bottle

Still feeling overwhelmed? Here’s a simple decision tree:

Prefer lighter, refreshing drinks? Start with Pinot Noir or Barbera

Like bold, rich flavors? Try Malbec or Zinfandel

Want something smooth and easy? Merlot is your friend

Enjoy savory, food-friendly wines? Carmenère or Grenache

Budget under $15? Argentine Malbec, Spanish Garnacha, or Chilean Carmenère

The Most Important Advice

Here’s what I wish someone told me when I started:

Don’t apologize for what you like. If you love sweet wines, drink sweet wines. If $12 bottles make you happy, ignore anyone who says you need to spend more.

Take notes. You’ll drink hundreds of wines over your lifetime. Writing down what you liked (and didn’t) is the fastest way to develop your palate.

Try the same grape from different places. A California Pinot Noir tastes completely different from a Burgundy Pinot Noir. Same grape, different expression. This is how wine gets interesting.

Your Next Step

Next time you’re at a wine store, pick one bottle from this list. Take it home, pour a glass, and pay attention to what you’re tasting.

Better yet, scan the label with Sommo first. You’ll get instant details on the wine’s origin, grape variety, and tasting notes, plus you can save it to your personal wine journal to remember it later.