Mastering the Basics: Different Types of Wine Glasses
Drinking wine is a sensory experience that goes beyond the taste and aroma of the beverage itself. The glass in which the wine is poured has a considerable impact on the overall drinking experience. Every part of a wine glass, from the stemware to the bowl shape determines how the liquid is perceived. This guide will help you find the perfect vessel for each wine and elevate your tasting experience.
What’s the difference between wine glasses?
There are many shapes and styles of wine glasses, and this can influence the tasting experience. Each style is designed to enhance the aroma, flavor, and overall experience of the tasting.
Why are there special glasses for wine?
Wine is served in unique glasses to enhance the sensory experience. These glasses are designed with each type of wine in mind: red, white, rose, or sparkling and how their unique elements can be best enjoyed.
How to hold a wine glass?
It is generally recommended to hold a wine glass by the stem rather than the bowl. This keeps the heat from your hand from warming the wine and affecting its flavor. Holding the stem also helps you to appreciate the color and clarity of the beverage without creating smudges on the glass.
In this guide, we will explore the vast world of wine glasses and help you discover the appropriate one to enhance your next wine drinking journey, from classic ones to specialty options like champagne flutes. Find different styles and amazing photos of wine glasses in the beautiful collection of the Austrian glass maker Riedel.
Bordeaux / Cabernet / Merlot Red Wine Glass
The most well-known wine glass shape is the classical Bordeaux type. It has a tall stem, a wide-base bowl that closes at the opening. Designed to celebrate full-bodied reds such as Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This shape allows the wine to breathe and evenly distributes the aroma to the nose. The larger opening – compared to other styles – makes the wine taste smoother and enhances the fruity aroma.
Check some of our favorite wines to have in this glass:
Bordeaux
Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux, Bordeaux 2017
Chateau De Camarsac Bordeaux Supérieur
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon Terrapura Classic
Graffigna Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon
Kenwood Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Shiraz / Malbec Red Wine Glasses
This style is smaller in width than a Bordeaux glass and has a more narrow opening. The strong aromas of the reds are softened because the wine hits your palate more gradually.
Shiraz
Malbec
Pinot Noir Glasses
These glasses are wider and shorter compared to the previous ones. The design helps the aromas to hit the correct part of your tongue and expose a larger surface of the liquid to be in contact with oxygen.
Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc / Riesling White Wine Glasses
When compared to red wine glasses, the ones made for whites have a smaller bowl and a more U-shaped design. This shape helps white wines keep their cooler temperature and allows the subtle aroma to be more concentrated when reaching your nose.
Sauvignon Blanc
Jackson Estate Stich Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
Jacob’s Creek Reserve Riesling
Chardonnay White Wine Glasses
Glasses designed for Chardonnay are similar to the Pinot Noir ones but with a shorter stem and slightly smaller bowl – this lets the alcohol vapors to go over your nose and enhances the full bodied aroma of Chardonnay.
The Champagne Flute
The champagne flute is ideal for sparkling and Champagne for a few reasons. The champagne flute’s elongated shape and narrow opening allows the bubbles to rise gracefully while keeping the scents and flavors throughout the drinking experience. This form is just as suitable for delicate rosé wines, both sparkling or not.
J.De Telmont Champagne Grand Rose
Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato
The Stemless Wine Glass
Stemless wine glasses have become more popular in recent years for people looking for a more casual approach to wine drinking. These glasses do not have a stem and have a larger bowl. Although they do not have the same amount of fragrance concentration as stemmed glasses, they are useful and versatile for everyday use and casual occasions.
Conclusions
Remember that, while the glass is important, wine tasting is an individual journey. The goal of any tasting experience is to enjoy the moment in a way that gives you the greatest pleasure. Cheers to discovering the ideal wine glass to compliment your favorite wines!
