© Shutterstock

How to Choose the Right Wine Glass?

Wine glasses are important. Here is how to choose the right one.

Is there a right and wrong shape of wine glass? 

The only attribute a wine glass must have is that it tapers towards the top – a tulip shape is ideal, this goes for any kind of glass, whether it is narrower or wider. Why is this important? The tulip shape means you can swirl your wine to make it release its volatile aromas. The tapering shape prevents these aromas from dispersing, and you can smell them when putting your nose to the glass. 

Why do wine glasses have a stem? 

Wine glasses have a stem, so that we can hold the glass by the stem without changing the temperature of the wine in the glass. The stem also allows us to tolt the glass and look at the wines colour, viscosity and, in the case of sparkling wine, its bubbles. 

Is there a universal wine glass? 

Yes, there is such a thing as a universal wine glass – essentially it is a hybrid between a traditional white and red wine glass. Good examples of universal wine glasses are Zalto ‘Universal’, Riedel ‘Vinum Riesling’ or Jancis Robinson’s ‘One’. The most important thing is to choose a glass that feels good in your hand. 

What is the right glass for red wines? 

While some manufacturers offer red wine glasses for various specific grape varieties, there are two basic shapes: Bordeaux and Burgundy. They will cover for most other styles of red wine.  

A Bordeaux-shaped glass is tall with a relatively big bowl directing the wine towards the back of your tongue. This is supposed to emphasise the wine’s richer expressions. Bordeaux-shaped glasses are ideal for wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Carmenère, richer Cabernet Franc and Malbec, i.e. full-bodied wines with tannins and texture. 

A Burgundy-shaped glass is traditionally a bit shorter but has a wider bowl shape. This is supposed to emphasize the fragrance and aroma of the wines. It directs the wine more towards the front of the mouth. Burgundy-shaped glasses are great for Pinot Noir from around the world as well as aromatic wines like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and cooler-climate Cabernet Francs, i.e. translucent wines with fragrance. 

What is the right glass for white wine? 

Choose a slim, tall glass for fragrant lighter-bodied styles. If the wine is richer in texture and body and oaked, opt for a wider bowl version. 

What is the right glass for sparkling wine? 

Great sparkling wine is wine with the bonus of bubbles. It is for this reason that a universal or a white wine glass is better than a flute. This way you can smell the wine better and get more pleasure out of it. Flutes are so popular for sparkling wine because they allow us to watch the bubbles rise, when used at catering events, they also ensure an even serving size, but they do very little for the wine’s aroma. Coupes are very stylish and timeless, but bubbles disperse quickly in them. They have a place when it comes to very mature, expressive and rich sparkling wines whose foam is dissipating anyway. The best way to enjoy sparkling wine is in a purpose-made, tulip-shaped sparkling wine glass. A universal or white wine glass is always better than a flute

Why do wine glasses have a stem?

Wine glasses have a stem, so that we can hold the glass by the stem without changing the temperature of the wine in the glass. The stem also allows us to tolt the glass and look at the wines colour, viscosity and, in the case of sparkling wine, its bubbles.

 

Is there a universal wine glass?

Yes, there is such a thing as a universal wine glass – essentially it is a hybrid between a traditional white and red wine glass. Good examples of universal wine glasses are Zalto ‘Universal’, Riedel ‘Vinum Riesling’ or Jancis Robinson’s ‘One’. The most important thing is to choose a glass that feels good in your hand.

What is the right glass for red wines?

While some manufacturers offer red wine glasses f

Choosing the right glass for the right wine can enhance the experience of drinking. But which glass is right? Is there a right and wrong shape of wine glass? 

Is there a right and wrong shape of wine glass? 

The only attribute a wine glass must have is that it tapers towards the top – a tulip shape is ideal, this goes for any kind of glass, whether it is narrower or wider. Why is this important? The tulip shape means you can swirl your wine to make it release its volatile aromas. The tapering shape prevents these aromas from dispersing, and you can smell them when putting your nose to the glass. 

Why do wine glasses have a stem? 

Wine glasses have a stem, so that we can hold the glass by the stem without changing the temperature of the wine in the glass. The stem also allows us to tolt the glass and look at the wines colour, viscosity and, in the case of sparkling wine, its bubbles. 

Is there a universal wine glass? 

Yes, there is such a thing as a universal wine glass – essentially it is a hybrid between a traditional white and red wine glass. Good examples of universal wine glasses are Zalto ‘Universal’, Riedel ‘Vinum Riesling’ or Jancis Robinson’s ‘One’. The most important thing is to choose a glass that feels good in your hand. 

What is the right glass for red wines? 

While some manufacturers offer red wine glasses for various specific grape varieties, there are two basic shapes: Bordeaux and Burgundy. They will cover for most other styles of red wine.  

A Bordeaux-shaped glass is tall with a relatively big bowl directing the wine towards the back of your tongue. This is supposed to emphasise the wine’s richer expressions. Bordeaux-shaped glasses are ideal for wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Carmenère, richer Cabernet Franc and Malbec, i.e. full-bodied wines with tannins and texture. 

A Burgundy-shaped glass is traditionally a bit shorter but has a wider bowl shape. This is supposed to emphasize the fragrance and aroma of the wines. It directs the wine more towards the front of the mouth. Burgundy-shaped glasses are great for Pinot Noir from around the world as well as aromatic wines like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and cooler-climate Cabernet Francs, i.e. translucent wines with fragrance. 

What is the right glass for white wine? 

Choose a slim, tall glass for fragrant lighter-bodied styles. If the wine is richer in texture and body and oaked, opt for a wider bowl version. 

What is the right glass for sparkling wine? 

Great sparkling wine is wine with the bonus of bubbles. It is for this reason that a universal or a white wine glass is better than a flute. This way you can smell the wine better and get more pleasure out of it. Flutes are so popular for sparkling wine because they allow us to watch the bubbles rise, when used at catering events, they also ensure an even serving size, but they do very little for the wine’s aroma. Coupes are very stylish and timeless, but bubbles disperse quickly in them. They have a place when it comes to very mature, expressive and rich sparkling wines whose foam is dissipating anyway. The best way to enjoy sparkling wine is in a purpose-made, tulip-shaped sparkling wine glass. A universal or white wine glass is always better than a flute

Stefan Neumann MS