Best Wines for Blind Tasting (Beginner-Friendly Picks)
Choosing the best wines for blind tasting doesn’t have to be stressful. You don’t need fancy bottles, rare grapes, or anything that sounds like it belongs in a sommelier's exam.
The best blind tastings are simple and surprising. They create those, “I never drink red, but that’s really nice” moments.
Here’s a list of wines suitable for beginners in blind tastings. They’re affordable, easy to find, and sure to foster a love of wine.
See my How to Host a Blind Wine Tasting Party: Step by Step Guide, for everything you need to know on hosting a party.
1. Crémant (The Champagne Lookalike Without the Price Tag)
Crémant is one of the biggest “why didn’t I try this sooner?” wines.
It's made similarly to Champagne but from different French regions. This means you get elegance, tiny bubbles, and that tasty, toasty vibe for half the price.
How Crémant Tastes:
Gentle and approachable.
Creamy bubbles.
Softer fruit and subtle toastiness.
A Champagne feel without the Champagne price.
Easy-going for all palates.
What to look for:
Crémant de Loire or Crémant de Bourgogne
Brut
£10–£16
Why it works:
Cremant is the ultimate blind tasting trickster. People often guess it’s Champagne because the style is so similar, and the reveal is always a great surprise.
It’s classy, budget-friendly, and an easy crowd-pleaser.
Perfect if you want to impress without spending like you’re hosting a royal banquet.
Recommendations
Antech Cuvée Eugénie Crémant de Limoux 2023
Lemon, nutty, and pastry flavours
Precise sparkling wines
Mousse-like feel with a clean finish.
Sainsbury's Blanc de Blancs Brut, Taste the Difference
Fine bubbles
Biscuity depth
Creamy texture
Alternative to Crémant
English Sparkling (Bright, Zesty, and Seriously Underrated)
English sparkling wine has had a major glow-up in the last decade and, honestly, it deserves every bit of the hype.
Grown in cool areas with chalky soils like Champagne, these wines are fresh and lively. They burst with citrus and orchard fruit.
How Sparkling Wine Tastes:
Fresh and vibrant
More acidic (in a good, mouth-watering way)
Apple, lemon, and orchard fruit forward.
Surprising for people who have never tried it.
What to look for:
Brut
Traditional method
£18–£25
Sussex, Kent, or Hampshire producers
Why it works:
In blind tastings, English fizz almost always catches people off guard. It’s fresher and more energetic than Champagne, but just as elegant.
Many people haven't tried many English sparkling wines, so their reactions are great. There's curiosity, surprise, and lots of “Wait, I actually love this.”
It’s a great way to show your friends something different, without going too off-piste.
Recommendations
2. Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand vs France)
Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, aromatic white wine known for its zesty acidity and fresh flavors of citrus, green apple, and often herbaceous notes like grass or gooseberry.
This grape gives the most dramatic reactions during blind tastings.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc:
Bolder than French Sav B
Very fruity and zesty
The flavours jump out at you more
French Sauvignon Blanc:
More subtle
A mineral taste along with the fruit flavours
Elegant and softer
Why it works:
Once people convince themselves they’re drinking a certain Sav Blanc, there’s no changing their minds.
Recommendations
New Zealand - Black Cottage Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Ripe kiwi fruit, pineapple.
Salty minerality and mouthwatering acidity.
Easy-going, fun-loving character.
French - Clement & Florian Berthier Coteaux du Giennois Blanc 2023
White flowers and citrus zest
Touch of minerality
Refreshing wine
3. A Fresh, Easy Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a light, refreshing white wine known for its crisp acidity and clean flavours of green apple, pear, and citrus with a dry, easy-drinking finish.
Why it works:
People pick out Pinot Grigio because its bright, crisp, no-nonsense style is easy to recognise and even easier to enjoy.
What to look out for:
Italian Pinot Grigio, especially from Veneto, Friuli or Alto Adige
Stick to bottles labelled 'dry', 'crisp' or 'mineral'.
The sweet spot is around £9–£12 for the best quality-to-price balance
Recommended
Luigi e Lucina Pinot Grigio 2023
Bright citrusy fruit
Award Winning
Hints of ripe pear and apple
4. Rioja (Popular and loved red)
Rioja is a medium-bodied Spanish red wine known for its smooth tannins and flavours of ripe red berries, vanilla, spice, and a subtle oaky finish.
Why it works:
People recognise and enjoy Rioja because it’s soft, familiar, and well-balanced — offering rich flavour without being too heavy or challenging.
What to look out for:
Spanish Rioja DOCa, especially labelled Crianza or Reserva (has to be aged for a minimum number of years)
Look for flavour cues like vanilla, spice, oak, or red fruit
The sweet spot is around £10–£15 for excellent quality and value
Recommended
Viña Bujanda Rioja Reserva 2017
Aged for 3 years in total.
Blackberry and sticky plum.
Complex notes of tobacco and cedar.
5. A Bold Malbec
Malbec is a full-bodied red wine known for its deep, juicy flavours of black cherry, plum and spice, with a smooth, velvety finish.
Why it works:
People enjoy Malbec because it’s rich, fruity, and easy to love. It delivers bold flavours without feeling too complex or intimidating.
What to look out for:
Argentinian Malbec, especially from Mendoza.
Look for black fruit, cocoa, spice, or smooth.
The sweet spot is around £9–£14 for great quality and value.
Recommened
Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.
Dark plum and crushed blackcurrants.
Full-bodied and velvety wine.
6. A Wildcard Bottle (The Fun One)
This is where you surprise people.
Pick ONE slightly unexpected bottle:
Beaujolais - Light, fruity, and chilled. People expect heavy red and get something fresh and juicy instead.
Albariño - Like Sauvignon Blanc’s warmer, friendlier cousin, crisp but softer.
A Dry Provence-Style Rosé - People expect white or red, with he bonus of rosé being an easy drinker.
Why it works:
The wildcard is always the most talked-about wine of the night
Where to Buy Your Blind Tasting Wines
You can get everything you need from:
Majestic
Waitrose
Sainsbury’s
Aldi/Lidl
Local wine shops
Online retailers
Don’t overthink it — £6–£15 is the sweet spot.
Final Tips for Choosing The Best Wines for Blind Tasting
Don’t be afraid to add a mixture of wine styles.
Consider adding one cheap bottle and one premium bottle to keep things interesting.
Aim for 3–5 bottles minimum.
Don’t tell anyone the price range until the end.
Blind tastings aren’t about picking the “best” wine. They’re about surprising yourself, having fun with friends, and enjoying wine without the pressure to know it all.
Grab a few bottles, wrap them up, and let the tasting begin.
See my How to Host a Blind Wine Tasting Party: Step by Step blog to get you started.