5 Best Red Wines for Beginners and Casual Drinking

3. Merlot

Insider Monkey Score: 11

Merlot is good for casual drinking as it contains low acidity and tannins. Also, it does not have the sharp-tasting notes of other red wine staples. Merlot’s best quality lies in its versatility, making it an excellent choice for casual occasions where a crowd-pleasing and easy-drinking red wine is desired.

Found in vineyards from California to France to Italy to Australia, Merlot is one of the world’s most popular red wines, and America’s second favorite after Cabernet Sauvignon.