10 Wine Tips for Beginners

Wine can feel like an overwhelming world to start to explore. It may seem obsessed with labels, terminology and flavor descriptions that make little sense (Gasoline? Chalk? Celery?). It may seem like there are too many rules to remember, from how to drink wine to how to serve it.

Shouldn’t wine be just enjoyable? Of course! Read on for what you need to know.

To help you break through the jargon and get you up to speed on the wonderful world of wine, we’ve created a beginner’s guide to wine. It features a list of the top wine tips that cover the basics you need to set you on the right path.

The Beginner’s Guide to Wine: 10 Wine Tips

1. Choose the Right Glass

It can be easy to think that once you’ve poured your wine, it’ll taste the same from whatever glass you drink it from.

However, this isn’t true.

Once your wine is out of the bottle and exposed to air, oxygen starts interacting with it, changing its aromas, flavor profile and taste. It’s surprisingly important to have the correct glass to serve your wine—to expose it to the right amount of oxygen to draw out all the wonderful flavors and aromas you’ll want to experience.

While specific wine stemware is best suited to certain wine types, beginners should opt for a universal-style wine glass with a medium-sized bowl to suit a wider variety of wines.

Browse our full range of wines now.

2. Get to Know Wine Terminology

Aroma. Body. Tannins. Vintage.. What does all this mean?

There’s a lot of terminology in wine, and while only the experts will need to know everything, it helps if you know a few key phrases and some of the more useful jargon. This can help you find new, exciting wines to try in the future, but also help you figure out what your wine preferences are. Don’t let the sheer number of terms put you off—begin your adventure in wine, and you’ll pick up the terminology in no time.

Here are a couple to get you started:

Body: means the richness and weight of the wine in your mouth.

Aroma: the unique smells of the grape variety.

Vintage: the year the grape was harvested and the wine made.

3. Sip and Savor

Unlike a cool beer or cocktail on a hot summer day, wine is meant for slower sipping.

Sipping wine means you can take the time to taste and appreciate the complexity of its style, aroma and flavors. As with any alcoholic drink, if you drink wine too quickly, more alcohol enters your bloodstream faster than if you were sipping, so pace yourself and drink responsibly and enjoyably.

4. Store Wine Properly

Storing wine is more than storing it until you want it. How wine is stored can impact how it tastes and—ultimately—your enjoyment.

The general rule for all wine styles is to store your bottles in a cool, dry place without direct sunlight. This will help preserve its aromas and flavors. However, there are some exceptions, so some personal research might be needed depending on the style of wine you’ve bought.

Read our guide on storing wine.

5. Feel Free to Experiment

Considering how many grape varieties and styles of wine are available, it’s great to grab any opportunity to experiment with something new.

The best way to learn about wine and what you like is through tasting, so don’t be afraid to pick up a wine you’ve never tried before and give it the good old college try.

A great way to try new wine styles is to join a wine club. Discover all the benefits of becoming a Laithwaites Wine Club member now.

6. Try a Wine Tasting

Wine tastings are events held by wineries to showcase their products and answer any questions, making them the perfect place for wine beginners to learn more from the experts and try something new.

Most tastings need booking in advance, and you may need to pay a small fee, but it’ll be worth all the knowledge, advice and the chance to try different styles of wine you may have previously sipped. It’s also a great chance to spend a relaxing afternoon with friends.

Explore a range of wines at Laithwaites Festival of Wine in New York.

7. Make a Note of the Wines You Like

As you visit the wine section at your local liquor store or explore the fantastic range of wines at Laithwaites, it can be easy to lose track of the styles you have and haven’t tasted.

To keep your wine exploration on track and avoid accidentally revisiting ‘been-there-done-that’ wine styles, note all the wines you’ve enjoyed to help you choose well with future wines. At Laithwaites, we make this easy. Simply log in to your account and head to Beyond the Label. There, you’ll find the inspiring stories and juicy details behind each wine you’ve tried—online, anytime. You can also add a wine as a ‘Favorite’ if you want to remember it for the future.

8. Explore Different Wine and Food Pairings

Wine and food go together like buffalo wings and ranch—and there’s probably a wine pairing for that.

Different wines pair well with specific dishes from across the globe, so why not take your favorite meals to another level and swap out the soda for a complimentary wine? You could even make an evening of it with friends, with everyone bringing their favorite dish and a matching wine.

9. Learn How to Taste Wine

To make the most of your wine, you need to know how to taste it properly.

Before taking a sip, swirl the wine in your glass and quickly place your nose over the rim—this will help you enjoy the wine’s aromas. Once you’ve savored the aromas, sip a small amount and hold the wine on your tongue before swallowing to appreciate the wine’s flavors.

10. Join a Wine Club

Wine clubs are a great way to try expertly chosen, top-quality wines delivered straight to your door without breaking the bank. Not only will you receive the highest-quality wines, but some wine clubs even include exclusive VIP offers, rewards points or the option to customize the wines you receive to suit your tastes.

If you join the Laithwaites’ Wine Club, you can expect 12 expertly selected, conveniently delivered to your door every three months. You’ll also receive a members-only savings of at least 20% on every case you take plus exciting bonuses, like upgrades to a 1.5-liter magnum or luxury bottle.

Courtney, Personal Wine Advisor

One of my greatest intrigues is people and how complex, unique, & exciting each of us is. I find my love of wine stems from those same characteristics, just on the other side of a corkscrew.

WSET – Level 2 Wines Certified

Lightly Oaked Pinot Noir • South African Viognier • Portuguese Red Blends • Bright & Fresh Rosé • Australian Cabernet

courtney@laithwaites.com | (203) 523-2121

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