I'll agree with tsl that groupset does not really matter in performance however you will normally find that the low grade groupsets are on the lower priced bikes and the top end are on top end bikes.

My first road bike was advertised as Sora 8 speed equipped and it rode well. Got me up all the local hills and even took a trip to France to climb a few mountains but in comparison to the next high up bike in the range- A Tiagra 9 speed equipped bike- it was 2 lbs heavier. Same frame in the range of all the bikes but as you went up the scale- the groupset and components got lighter and shinier and the wheels were of a better grade. I am not saying that Sora is as good as Dure Ace or even 105 but it works well enough and serves its purpose and did me well enough.

But even on the low end bikes advertised with a certain groupset there will be some downgrades. Bikes are made to a pricepoint and if money can be saved in production- it will be. My Sora Equipped bike had the front deraileur and gear shifters in Sora. The rear Deraileur was an upgrade to Tiagra but crankset and brakes were far inferior and cheaper and I have no idea where the wheels were dragged up from. The stems- bars and seatpost were heavy and the saddle was low grade although it did last 6 months before being replaced.

To me it does not matter what grade the first bike is as all it is there for is to get you riding and find out what bike you should have bought in the first place. Too many unknowns when you start out and things like size of frame- Your fit to the bike- Size of hills in your area that will affect the gearing choice and then finally do you like that style of bike. It is the second bike that you will find that you know roughly what you want and need and the groupset "Envy" does come in. Only thing i would say about the first bike is to Use an LBS for advice and warranty and repairs and buy buy basic and cheap- but don't buy rubbish.