The art of serving wine begins with the perfect glass. Experts agree that a suitable vessel allows the wine’s flavors and aroma to reach its full potential.
However, it can take time to pick the right one since many options are available. So, what are the types of wine glasses? This article will reveal the various types and the best wine to pour into them.
White Wine Glasses
A white wine glass is designed to preserve the drink’s aroma. It features a U-shaped bowl that also keeps the wine at a cool temperature. Its long stems also contribute to preventing heat transfer from your hand.
The smaller bowl of a white wine glass can also:
- Keep wine cold
- Preserve floral notes
- Keep cool temperature
- Offer more proximity to the nose to convey the aroma
Chardonnay Wine Glass
The wide opening of a Chardonnay glass directs the wine to your tongue’s sides and tip. It allows the palate to appreciate the wine’s taste and concentrate on its aroma. It also balances the palate’s acidity and sweetness. The bowl’s shape also offers the right amount of aeration.
Recommended for full-bodied wines like:
- Chardonnay
- Viognier
- Semillion
Sauvignon Blanc Wine Glass
The Sauvignon Blanc glass features a slender bowl and a tall stem. These innovative features guide the fruity and floral aromas of the wine to the nose.
The glass’ shape enables the wine to go to the palate’s front and center. These areas detect acidity the most. The glass’ innovative design allows tasters to savor the wine’s flavor smoothly.
Recommended for light to medium-bodied wines like:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Fume Blanc
- Loire
- White Bordeaux
- Other floral or fruity wines
Montrachet Glass
Complex white wines found a home in the Montrachet glass. It has a large bowl that air to interact with the wine. The resulting reaction opens up the wine’s flavors.
The glass’ wide opening also allows the taster to smell the wine’s complex aromas. In addition, it also enables the liquid to flow from the tongue’s edges to its sides. It fosters a balanced tasting of acidic and sour flavors.
Recommended for complex white wines like:
- Montrachet
- Corton-Charlemagne
- Meursault
- White Burgundy
Riesling Wine Glass
This wine glass is the smallest in the white wine collection. It has a rounded bowl that tapers towards the rim. Its opening is also smaller than other wine glasses.
It allows the wine to head toward the mouth’s back and center. This design prevents the drinker from getting overwhelmed by the wine’s sweetness.
Recommended for sweet wine varieties like:
- Riesling
- Gruner Veltliner
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Zinfandel
Here is a table summarizing the type of wine glass and the wines they’re perfect for:
| Wine Glass | Recommended Wine Varieties |
| Chardonnay Wine Glass | ● Chardonnay
● Viognier ● Semillion |
|
Sauvignon Blanc Wine Glass |
● Sauvignon Blanc
● Fume Blanc ● Loire ● White Bordeaux ● Other floral or fruity wines |
| Montrachet Glass | ● Montrachet
● Corton-Charlemagne ● Meursault ● White Burgundy |
| Riesling Wine Glass | ● Riesling
● Gruner Vetliner ● Sauvignon Blanc ● Zinfandel |
Red Wine Glasses
One of the goals of a red wine glass design is to control the spicy notes or tannin bitterness.
Some experts claim that glasses with wide openings result in a smooth-tasting wine. You may notice that red wine glasses are primarily large. They have wide openings and full-styled, rounded bowls.
The glass features offer air interaction on the surface. It allows the wine to present its unique flavors and aromas.
Pinot Noir Wine Glass
You can identify the Pinot Noir glass by its wide bowl. This feature allows an ideal interaction between the air and wine. Additionally, it also enhances the drink’s flavors and aroma. The characteristic thin rim enables the drinker to sample the wine easily.
Recommended for light red wines like:
- Pinot Noir
- Grenache
- Zinfandel
- Gamay
Bordeaux Wine Glass
This glass has a broad bowl and the longest stem among all red wine glasses. The design allows an ideal distance from the mouth to the wine. It allows the ethanol to waft to the nose. It also enables the tannins to soften by allowing more oxygen into the glass.
This innovation makes the bitterness pleasant instead of offensive. Additionally, the Bordeaux glass design guides wine toward the mouth’s back part. Therefore, it maximizes the flavor profile and minimizes the tartness.
Recommended for full-bodied, heavy, and high-tannic wines like:
- Bordeaux blends
- Petite Syrah
- Malbec
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Glass
This wine glass may be shorter than the Bordeaux glass. However, it also has a formidable height. Its wide bowl allows the wine to breathe.
Its narrow mouth collects the wine’s aroma and emits it at the perfect time. Some rims vary across brands, but it does not significantly affect the taster’s experience.
Recommended for bold red wines like:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Malbec
- Syrah
Burgundy Wine Glass
The Burgundy glass has a narrow rim and a large bowl. This feature leads the wine to the tongue’s tip, enabling the taster to identify various flavor hints. Drinkers can easily sip the wine due to its thin rim. The wide bowl allows the wine’s delightful aromas to accumulate/
Recommended for delicate and light red wines
- Red Burgundy
- Dolcetto
- Beaujolais
Here is a table summarizing the type of wine glass and the wines they’re perfect for:
| Wine Glass | Recommended Wine Varieties |
| Pinot Noir Wine Glass | ● Pinot Noir
● Grenache ● Zinfandel ● Gamay |
| Bordeaux Wine Glass | ● Bordeaux blends
● Petite Syrah ● Malbec ● Cabernet Franc ● Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Glass | ● Cabernet Sauvignon
● Malbec ● Syrah |
| Burgundy Glass | ● Red Burgundy
● Dolcetto ● Beaujolais |
Here’s an educational video on the best red wine glasses.
Dessert and Sparkling Wine Glasses
The main goal of using wine glasses is to showcase the wine’s sweetness and aromas. The glass design is meant to contain smaller pours of these high-alcoholic wines.
People usually consume a smaller amount since dessert wines are after-dinner drinks. If you often serve a full-course meal, it’s time to collect the following dessert wine glasses.
Port Wine Glass
The port wine’s narrow mouth aims to reduce ethanol’s evaporation. It also collects the aromas at the glass’ top part. It features a small shape like other dessert wine glasses. However, tasters can still swirl the glass to release the heady aromas.
The glass design guides the wine to pass through the mouth’s center slowly. This feature allows the drinker to revel in the sweetness without getting overwhelmed.
Recommended for:
- Port wine
- Dessert wine
Sherry Wine Glass
A sherry wine glass shares the same small shape as a port wine glass. Its narrow rim enables easy sipping and prevents the alcohol from evaporating.
Through the glass’ unique shape, the wine leads to the mouth’s rear part. This design ensures that the palate can handle the sweetness.
Recommended for:
- Sherry
- Cordial
- Dessert wines
Sparkling Wine Glass
Champagne glasses are one of the most common glasses used in movies and events. Its characteristic height and shape are vital in the sparkling wine’s flavors.
A typical sparkling wine glass features a slender bowl that can preserve the wine’s flavor and bubbles. The design keeps the wine more enjoyable without turning flat.
Recommended for:
- Champagne
- Prosseco
- Rose
Here is a table summarizing the type of wine glass and the wines they’re perfect for:
| Wine Glass | Recommended Wine Varieties |
| Port Wine Glass | ● Port wine
● Dessert wine |
| Sherry Wine Glass | ● Sherry
● Cordial ● Dessert wines |
|
Sparkling Wine Glass |
● Champagne
● Prosseco ● Rose |
How to Choose the Best Wine Glass
Using the best glass for wine can enhance the whole tasting experience. It presents an opportunity to appreciate the wine’s flavors and aromas better. Choosing the best wine glass for your needs is crucial, mainly if you have limited storage space.
Why is it vital to choose the right glass?
It is essential to choose the best glass for your red, white, or sparkling wines because they showcase the following features:
- Full nose and bouquet
- Proper aeration
- Aesthetic appeal
- Right temperature
These characteristics contribute to the taster’s overall satisfaction. Wines have the perfect balance of aromas and flavors. The ideal vessel should be able to highlight them.
The appropriate glass also enhances the wine’s flavor profile. It’s important to note that most wines shine at an ideal temperature. The best glass can maintain the required temperature for maximum enjoyment.
Tips for Buying a Wine Glass
Buying your first set of wine glasses can be an exciting experience. We want to make it more fun by sharing the following shopping tips we’ve gathered from wine lovers.
- Choose a wine glass based on the wine you’ll serve or drink.
- Opt for transparent and thin glass so you can view the wine.
- Remember that a thin glass will not strain your hand or arm.
- Consider the area that can allow your wine to breathe.
- Select a glass with at least 20 ounces of volume capacity.
- Consider the following factors when picking a wine glass:
- Stem length
- Foot size
- Curve at the top
- Rim thickness
- Stemmed or stemless
- Bowl shape
- Stem length
These elements all contribute to having a well-balanced wine glass. Since they can be expensive, it pays to spend time and effort scrutinizing each piece. Drinking wine is a sensory experience, and the wine glass can help you achieve that.
A sommelier shares his knowledge of wine glasses in this video.
Conclusion
It’s great to know, “what are the types of wine glasses?”. It eliminates the guesswork of purchasing pricey yet vital glassware. Knowing the best type of vessel for your favorite wine allows you to maximize the wine’s excellent potential.
George Moore, co-founder of Wine Flavor Guru, is a charismatic entrepreneur with a rich background in California’s wine industry. Alongside Sylvia, he transformed a Sonoma County vineyard into a source of premium wines. George’s expertise in sourcing exceptional grapes and his approachable style make wine appreciation both accessible and engaging.
