Did you know that the shape of your wine glass affects the taste of your drink? For most of us, we choose a wine glass by how it looks and then at home we pick up either the one that’s clean, or the one we enjoy drinking from. The thought that the glass you use impacts the taste of your wine isn’t something you give much thought to, but perhaps you should. So if you’ve ever wondered if there’s a “perfect” wine glass or why some wine drinkers are so picky about their glassware, you’re in the right place. The question of how to choose the perfect wine glasses so your wine tastes just as good at home as it does in your favorite wine bar is what we are exploring.
Why the Right Wine Glass Matters
Picking the right wine glass for your drink matters. It’s not just my opinion either, there’s actually a science behind it. The shape of the glass can affect everything, from how much oxygen hits your wine to how the aromas gather in the bowl. All of this impacts the smell and the taste. Have you ever brought a bottle of wine back from a vineyard and wondered why it didn’t taste anywhere near as good when you got it home? It might just be that the glass changed the flavour experience.
As a general rule of thumb when you look at wine glasses, you’ll find that if it has a wide bowl you won’t get the same aromatic experience. Whereas tapered wine glasses will funnel the aroma so you can smell it. Being able to smell your wine is a huge part of the taste experience, so your wine glass needs to involve your nose! Different wines also have different taste profiles, so you get the best taste from having them in a wine glass that suits the personality of the wine.
Different wines need different glasses if you want that amazing taste experience for that perfect relaxing moment at home.
The names of the different parts of a wine glass
A wine glass has four key elements, a rim, a foot, a stem and a bowl.
All glasses that you drink wine from are called wine glasses, but what makes them right for different types of wine is changes to the shape of the bowl, the stem and the foot. The changes are what make a wine glass better suited to a type of wine.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wine Glass
Now that we’ve established that the right wine glass is essential, let’s get into what makes a wine glass “right.” Here are a few things you should think about when choosing a wine glass.
1. Shape of the Bowl
This is where most people can go wrong. The bowl shape can make or break your wine-drinking experience. If you like to sit at home with a nice glass of red, you want to choose a glass with a wider, rounder bowl to give the wine room to breathe. Red wines need oxygen and to get the best taste experience from your red wine it needs to air not only in the bottle but in the glass.
For whites, a smaller, narrower bowl is better because it helps preserve the cooler temperature and delicate aromas. White wine will warm up faster in a wider bowl impacting your taste.
2. Stemmed vs. Stemless
Stemless wine glasses look modern and stylish, but wine glasses have a stem so you can hold your drink by this part to prevent the wine from warming up to fast. When you buy stemless wine glasses you naturally hold them more like a whiskey tumbler. The catch with this: your hand warms up the wine faster as you hold the stemless glass. If you’re sipping a red, that’s not a huge deal. But for white wines, you’ll not have a great taste experience.
3. Glass or Crystal Wine Glasses?
This is a debate that has raged for so long: glass or crystal wine glasses? If you go to taste wine anywhere you will find that you get an ISO wine glass, which is glass. These are a standard size and designed to help you get the most from a sip, a taste. Glass is great for heavy use, frequent washing, and taste testing.
When you buy your own wine glasses you’ll find something luxurious about drinking out of crystal, particularly if you opt for a modern design like Waterford’s Elegance range where you can get every type of wine glass in a modern crystal style.
Technically, your wine will taste better in a crystal glass as the surface of the bowl is smoother, however crystal is not a budget friendly wine glass option. Unless you shop second-hand stemware. Your wine will taste fine in the right glass wine glass, but it will be better in a crystal wine glass.
Wine Glass Shapes for Different Types of Wine
There’s a specific wine glass for pretty much every type of wine. Now you don’t need every type of glass, especially if you have a particular go to wine you drink at home. But once you’ve tasted wine from the right glass, you’ll never go back to those basic multipurpose ones.
What are the different types of wine glasses?
How to choose the perfect wine glasses for the wine you enjoy drinking is key to enjoying your drink. There are different types of wine glass for different types if wine.
Red Wine Glasses
For red wine, you’ll want a glass with a large, rounded bowl. The air mixes with the wine to optimise the flavours. Now red wine glasses, as you can see come in two large sizes: a Bordeaux and a Burgundy glass.
- Bordeaux Glass: Bordeaux glasses are tall with a broad bowl, perfect for wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. They help balance the bold tannins.
- Burgundy Glass: Burgundy glasses are a bit wider and rounder, ideal for wines like Pinot Noir, which benefit from the increased surface area.
White Wine Glasses
White wines, like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, need a different kind of glass. A smaller bowl helps keep the wine cool and preserves its delicate notes. The Chardonnay glass is however slightly larger than other white wine glasses.
Sparkling Wine Glasses & Flutes
Flutes are for drinking Champagne or any sparkling wine. The tall, narrow shape keeps the bubbles intact longer. The elongated and narrow bowl helps to keep the bubble fizzing, so your drink doesn’t go flat and loose it’s delicate taste and sparkle.
Desert / Sweet Wine Glasses
These wine glasses tend to be smaller as dessert wine is not meant to be served as a large glass. It is a drink meant to complement a pudding or cheese board, rather than to be savoured at home in the garden with friends.
Choosing Wine Glasses for Special Occasions
Whether it’s a fancy dinner party or a casual Friday night, you’ll want your wine glasses to match the tone of your event at home. That why it’s important to know how to choose the perfect wine glasses when entertaining.
For formal events, consider using your delicate crystal glasses if you have them. It makes everything feel a bit more elegant, and honestly, it just looks impressive. Crystal glasses elevate your event giving it a luxury look.
For casual nights, keep it simple. Stemless glasses are perfect for creating that modern yet relaxing tone over a bottle of red wine. The stemless glass is less likely to get knocked over, and if you go for a glass that has a good weight with a thin rim your wine experience will be even better.
How to Care for Your Wine Glasses
Caring for wine glasses takes a bit of finesse, especially if you’ve got delicate crystal glasses. There is nothing worse than spending money on nice wine glasses only to break them while washing up.
Firstly, do not put your glasses in the dishwasher. No matter how tempted you are, don’t. Handwashing is a must for your really nice glasses, especially when you have invested in a set of glasses to use for different types of wine. Use warm water and a gentle dish soap, then dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid water spots. Don’t be rough or throw them all in a washing-up bowl together. Wash them one at a time.
For storage, keep them in a safe place where they won’t knock into each other. Consider investing in some wine glass storage racks if you can. They’ll keep your glasses safe, they look smart, and you’re less likely to knock your glasses into each other chipping them.
Top Wine Glass Brands to Consider in 2024
There are lots of brilliant brands out there selling exquisite wine glasses, but Riedel is one of the best for a reason. The thin glass rim is just right for wine and their designs are both modern and practical, meaning you’re less likely to knock them over. They also understand wine and glasses are shaped specifically for different varieties of wine, meaning you get the best flavour experience when having your drink at home. Zalto is another great choice, but this brand comes with a higher price point.
If you’re on a budget or just tipping your toe into the world of wine glasses and want to see whether a glass can truly make a difference to the taste experience, try Libbey. Their wine glasses are good for everyday use with a thinker stem, and don’t break the bank. Perfect for those casual wine nights when you’re not trying to impress anyone but yourself.
Conclusion
Whether you’re all about that big, bold red wine or you prefer a light, refreshing white wine, having the right glass can enhance your wine experience. Next time you’re pouring a glass, take a moment to think about what kind of glass you’re using, you might be surprised at how much better your wine tastes when you know how to choose the perfect wine glass.
