Best Wines for Non-Wine Drinkers
June 7, 2022
Despite what we’d like to think, not everyone in the world enjoys wine or considers themselves a wine drinker. We understand that the taste of wine doesn’t appeal to everyone, just like the taste of beer or liquor doesn’t appeal to everyone. We to put together a quick list of certain types and varietals of wines that even the non-wine drinker may enjoy.
Even if you consider yourself a non-wine drinker, the wines listed below are a great place to start on your wine drinking journey. They will give you a good overview of what sweet and dry wine taste like, what an earthy wine might taste like compared to a fruity wine, and how a red wine would compare to white wine.
In our eyes, non-wine drinkers are just people that haven’t found the right wine yet. And while we know that’s not always the case, we hope that you’ll at least give a few of these types of wines a try.
If, after trying a few of these listed below, you’re still not sold on wine we’ll understand, but we hope you’ll at least give it a chance!
What Wine Should I Drink if I’m Not a Wine Drinker?
Riesling
One of the best introductory wines for non-wine drinkers is Riesling. This grape is very light and aromatic, which produces white wines ranging in style from bone-dry to very sweet. The slight sweetness and fruity aroma can help non-wine drinkers get acclimated to the taste of wine.
In fact, a lot of veteran wine drinkers will pass on a glass of Riesling due to the fact that it can almost be too sweet for some occasions. However, a nice crisp, sweet, light wine is just what a non-wine drinker should be looking for as they dip their toes in the water.
There are dry versions of Riesling, but in most cases when you’re ordering a Riesling, you’re looking for something on the sweeter side. It also offers a fruitier flavor profile compared to some other wines.
This is a great place to start for the non-wine drinker who might be overwhelmed with the fuller-bodied flavor of red wine.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is another lighter white wine that is typically a bit drier than a Riesling, but still offers a bit of sweetness. This is a great beginner white wine that goes well with a variety of different foods and will be easy on the palate.
Pinot Grigio is a light-bodied wine that features notes of apple, lemon, and peach. The fruity flavor profile provides a nice starting point for non-wine drinkers as it can sometimes seem almost “plain”.
So, while Riesling offers that sweetness with more of a flavor punch, Pinot Grigio will offer you more of a clean slate as far as wines go.
If you’re looking for something that might not be as sweet as Riesling but will still let you experience great-tasting wine, then Pinot Grigio can be the wine for you!
If you’re looking to try red wine, we also have a few suggestions for you.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir wine is a very safe red wine. It’s not as full-bodied as a lot of other red wines and has a nice fruity taste that can be easy on the palate.
Typically, people that don’t like wine seem to gravitate more towards white wine when the options are presented, but a nice glass of Pinot Noir tends to surprise a lot of those same non-wine drinkers. The combination of fruit flavor profiles and lower alcohol content can make for a delicious glass that pairs well with a lot of foods.
The one thing you’ll want to be aware of is that Pinot Noir is typically a dry wine, which can sometimes turn off some non-wine drinkers who are expecting something sweet. At the same time though, the dryness of the wine can be exactly what a person is looking for, it really all depends on your tastes. For example, beer drinkers typically stay away from the sweeter alcoholic beverages because they enjoy the way beer tastes, while someone who enjoys cocktails, hard ciders, or seltzers may gravitate more towards a sweet wine because that’s what they are used to in the drinks.
Syrah
Syrah is a bit of a step up from a Pinot Noir in that it’s more of a full-bodied red wine with medium-high tannins, which means that it is typically on the dryer side. It also has a slightly higher alcohol content which can lend to the flavor profile.
This wine tends to be darker in overall color than the Pinot Noir, but also a bit more fruit-forward. It can also have a bit of spice to it depending on which brand you are drinking.
Overall, Syrah would still be a great choice for a non-wine drinker who’s looking to sip on a glass with dinner. It goes great with a lot of different foods, especially red meats, and can be found around the world.
Wine for Non-Wine Drinkers
Whether you’re looking for a red or a white wine, as a non-wine drinker it can sometimes be hard to find something that is appealing. The choices above are great options for those that want to dip their toes in the water and see what the fuss is all about.
If you try the wines above and still don’t feel that wine is for you, then at least you can say you’ve given it your best effort and can continue to drink whatever you feel most comfortable with. But we will encourage you to continue to try different wine varieties, different brands, and wines from different areas of the world. You never know, you might just find one out there that really speaks to you.
PC: Cass Winery, J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery, J Dusi Wines, Calcareous Vineyards, Halter Ranch Vineyard