Why The Wine Glass Matters
PUBLISHED ON: 11.29.2022
A good wine glass helps you to fully experience the wine you are drinking. This includes noticing the flavors and aromas of the wine, and how the flavors feel on your palate. If you enjoy wine and want this experience then your wine glass absolutely matters, and you will want to put thought into your wine glass choices.
Here are a few tips on buying the right wine glass
Think about the type of wine you drink the most and purchase your wine glasses based on what you enjoy. If you enjoy big full-bodied reds, then a bordeaux wine glass is ideal for you. These larger bowled glasses allow the red wine to aerate, helping them to open-up and display the aromas and flavors of the wine.
If Pinot Noir and Burgundy wines call your name then glasses with an extra-large bowl allow for plenty of oxygen, and concentration of the delicate aromas. This will showcase the bright, rich fruits of these styles of wines.
If you enjoy crisp whites or rosé these wines are best served in a glass with a narrower bowl (slight tulip shape) to preserve the fruit and floral aromas and keep the wine at a cooler temperature.
If you enjoy sparkling wines, these wines are ideal for flutes which are slender and tall. This elongated shape helps to preserve the fine bubbles in your glass. However, flute glasses are not your only option with sparkling wines. Tulip shaped glasses are also ideal to enjoy the bubbles and aromatics of your wine.
If you don’t want to choose which glass goes with which wine, then a universal glass is the choice for you. These wine glasses fall somewhere in the middle. They have mid-size bowls that allow the wine to aerate and tapered rims to focus on the delicate aromas. It’s the most versatile option to enjoy your favorite wines, including sparkling.
At the end of the day, however, you choose to enjoy your wine is always the right way.
Joel Greene
I just tend to reach for my 32 oz. Flanigan’s plastic cup, but I don’t claim to be a sommelier.
Chef Mimi
I like Joel! I used to have almost all of the Riedel glasses, but I could never remember which was which. So I gave up. Now I just have pretty glasses, but I also serve good wine. Even to myself!
sherry
i certainly have favourite glasses for particular drinks. it all adds to the experience and yes to the taste!
Larry
Good info Velva.
Alfreda James
Appreciate the lesson!
David Scott Allen
I have a lot of different varieties and they do make a difference. Bt, “any port in a storm” is the way I look at it. I do dislike thick-rimmed glasses — hand blown types. And I don’t like drinking wine from a plastic cup, either. (Snob? Perhaps…) Mark (a historian) was once asked what the difference is between a teapot, coffee pot, and chocolate pot. His answer always makes me laugh: “It is whatever you put in it!”
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
Couldn’t agree more, Velva. Although I have to say I’m not above enjoying wines from a bistrot glass if the mood hits me. Obviously not the good stuff…
2pots2cook
Well, there are times I like to treat myself properly but I also love have red wine in a little bowl and dip bread into it. All depends on the occasion. As long as you enjoy, it’s good!
Jeff the Chef
Thanks for the info, Velva!
Balvinder
I can’t thank you enough for writing this. I was only aware of the red and sparkling wine glasses.
Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina
I sure needed this information, since I’m clueless about anything regarding wine. I love the really tall Reidel glasses though. So beautiful!
Hope you’re enjoying the holiday season, Velva!
Judee
This information is really interesting. I had no idea. Thanks