Six wines every wine lover should know

Jacqueline Louw - Finding a good wine you enjoy drinking can be a real challenge.

Whether you're looking for something to sip at the fireplace, a prize bottle with dinner, or a wine to go with snacks, let's take the legwork out of finding tonight's perfect vintage.

With all the different grapes, the indecipherable labels, and the weird rituals of swirling and sniffing, it can be a bit overwhelming. But, just like you wouldn't cannonball into the deep end on the first day of a swimming class, you don't have to dive head first into a bottle of Burgundy with a label you can barely read. There are plenty of easy-drinking varietals to start dipping your toes into. Herewith, six basic wines every respectable wine enthusiast ought to know:

Riesling

Riesling is a great gateway wine, perfect for people who normally order fruity cocktails or just hate the taste of alcohol. Riesling is a white wine that smells like it could be a playful Marc Jacobs perfume with bright apple and tangerine notes. It also tastes like liquidized lemon dessert bars. These wines are generally luscious and sweet, and are one of the only wines that pairs well with spicy foods.

Pinot Noir

New drinkers' biggest complaint about red wine is about the tannins, otherwise known as "the sensation of eating a dryer sheet." But Pinot Noirs are generally light with very little tannins, making them an excellent example of the wonderful flavours found in red wine without the notes of bounce. Their bouquets and flavour profiles are fruit-forward, with big cherry and cranberry, light spice, pepper, tobacco and even earthy flavours like mushroom. Fresh and succulent, Pinot Noir is pretty much as close to juice you can get while still getting tipsy.

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

Two names, same grape. Unfortunately, this won't be the last time you encounter a varietal trying to trip you up. Many varietals have different names depending on the region they're from. The name "Pinot Gris" comes from France and "Pinot Grigio" comes from Italy, but no matter what it is called, these white wines are on the drier side, with poppy, lemon and lime acidity, peach and faint floral notes. These wines scream "sunny afternoon day-drinking with friends"!

Gamay

Gamay is not related to Pinot Noir at all, but if it was, Gamay would be Pinot Noir's younger, sassy cousin who only wears short shorts. Gamays are spritely red wines that are barely aged, making them light and drinkable. They have all the same berry flavours as a Pinot Noir, but are tart, poppy, and fun, like sparklers and spontaneous first kisses. If you don't see a wine explicitly labelled as Gamay, grab a Beaujolais. This famous French region's wines are all entirely made of Gamay.

Sauvignon Blanc

If the words "fruity" or "sweet" send you running back to a vodka soda, Sauvignon Blanc may be the white wine for you. This is the white wine that could make you regret saying you only drink red wine. Dry and crisp, this wine has the energetic citrus that we love in light white wines, but combines it with garden qualities like bell pepper, basil, and fresh cut grass. Think of a long summer afternoon after the sprinklers have run - that's what Sauvignon Blanc tastes like. Pair with goat cheese and say hello to your new favourite snack.

Zinfandel

If you've heard of this wine, chances are you've heard someone describe it as "jammy". Although that description is thrown around more often than it probably should be, Zinfandel is in fact quite jammy with mouth-smacking cherry and blueberry. What sets Zinfandel apart from Pinot and Gamay is its smoky and slightly tannic taste. It's also a bit spicy and warm despite being so light. I like to think of it as the cashmere pullover of wine. Yes, you could wear it in March, but you can also snuggle with it in August.

Sources: Netwerk24; www.winefolly.com/wine-basics-beginners-guide; www.elle.fr.com