How to Pick Wine When You Don’t Know Anything About Wine

Walking into a wine section can get overwhelming fast. Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, blends, regions, vintages, labels that tell you almost nothing—it can feel like you need to know way more than you actually do.

The good news is you really don’t need to be a wine expert to pick a good bottle.

The easiest place to start is by deciding whether you want red, white, rosé, or sparkling. From there, think less about what you’re “supposed” to like and more about what sounds good to you.

If you want a red wine that feels smooth and easy to drink, Pinot Noir is usually a great place to start. It tends to be lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon and often has flavors like cherry, raspberry, earth, and spice. It works well with a lot of foods too, which makes it a good bottle to bring to dinner when you’re not sure what’s being served.

If you like bold flavors, Cabernet Sauvignon might be more your style. Cabernet is typically fuller-bodied, with darker fruit flavors and more tannin. That’s the dry feeling you sometimes notice on your tongue after taking a sip. It pairs really well with steak, burgers, roasted meats, and other rich foods.

Malbec is another easy red to try. It usually falls somewhere between smooth and bold, with plenty of dark fruit flavor and a little spice. It’s one of those wines that can be pretty approachable even if you don’t drink red wine all the time.

For white wine, Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice if you want something crisp and refreshing. It often has citrus, green apple, tropical fruit, or herbal flavors and works well with seafood, salads, lighter meals, and appetizers.

Chardonnay can be a little trickier because the style can vary so much. Some are bright and crisp, while others are richer and more buttery with vanilla and oak flavors. If you’ve had Chardonnay before and didn’t like it, don’t automatically write off the entire category. You may have just had a style that wasn’t for you.

Pinot Grigio is another safe choice for someone looking for something light and easy. It’s typically crisp, clean, and not overly complicated. It’s a good wine for warm afternoons, casual dinners, or just keeping chilled in the fridge.

If you want something fun and easy for a group, rosé and sparkling wine are both great choices. Rosé can range from very dry to slightly fruity, while sparkling wine is surprisingly versatile with food. Prosecco, Cava, and Champagne all have their own personalities, but you don’t need a special occasion to open any of them.

Price doesn’t automatically tell you whether you’re going to like a wine either. There are excellent bottles at approachable prices and expensive bottles that simply may not fit your taste. Instead of shopping only by price or grabbing the label that looks coolest, tell us what you normally drink and what you’re eating.

Even something as simple as “I like smooth reds,” “I don’t want anything sweet,” or “I need a bottle for pasta tonight” gives us plenty to work with.

Wine is supposed to be enjoyable, not intimidating. Stop by Boone’s Wine & Spirits and tell us what you like, what you’re cooking, and what you want to spend. We’ll help you find a bottle you’ll actually want to drink!