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Venture into the glassware section of any homeware shop, and you’re likely to be faced with an array of wine glasses in every conceivable shape and style. If you’re puzzled by why there are so many types of wine glasses, and if it really matters which one you use, we’ve got the answers for you here.
It might seem like a small detail, but the shape and size of your glass can impact your wine’s aroma, taste and your overall drinking experience. So, having the right wine glass for your wine is an important starting point for getting the most out of your favourite bottle.
Why does the type of wine glass matter?
There’s more to the design of different types of wine glasses than simply looking pretty and being easy to hold.
Glass shape is designed to capture and direct the aromas of the wine to your nose, allow the ideal ratio of surface contact between wine and oxygen to release those signature flavours, and slow down how quickly the wine hits your taste buds. In other words, the right glassware can make a wine shine. Wine glasses can be broadly categorised into two types – stemmed and stemless. Stemmed are the most common and can be broken down into four components: the base, the stem, the bowl and the rim.
Base: Also known as the ‘foot,’ the base provides stability.
Stem: This is the slender tube of glass that connects the base to the bowl. This is the ideal place to hold your wine glass as it reduces heat from your hand warming the wine (too much heat could negatively impact the wine).
Bowl: One of the most crucial parts of a glass. Its size and shape affect how much oxygen is in contact with the wine. Large bowls are ideal for swirling to release compounds in the wine, which react with the air, enhancing aromas and softening tannins and alcohol.
Rim: The lip of the glass. The size, thickness and shape of the rim each affect how the wine is delivered to your mouth.
Red wine glasses vs. white wine glasses
The most obvious difference between red and white wine glasses is their size. Red wine glasses are larger and taller, with more rounded bowls to allow for more oxygen exposure. White wines don’t need as much aerating, so their glasses are typically smaller with narrower rims.
Different types of red wine glasses
There are two main style options for red wine glasses: Bordeaux and Burgundy.
Bordeaux glasses, also known as Cabernet Sauvignon glasses, are tall and broad, with walls that taper to a narrow rim so it can direct the wine’s aromas to your nose. This design also tempers the effects of high levels of tannins and alcohol, which is why it is the perfect glass for robust, full-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. They’re a solid choice if you want to buy a versatile set of red glasses.
Burgundy glasses (or Pinot Noir glasses as they are sometimes known) are easily identifiable because of their big bowls. These glasses are adept at revealing the subtle hints of cherry and spice in Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo wines. That generously sized bowl allows the aromas to gather and concentrate where they might otherwise be a little shy in a Bordeaux glass.
Less common than Burgundy or Bordeaux glasses are Shiraz glasses. Similar to Bordeaux glasses, this type of wine glass is slightly smaller overall, with shorter stems and smaller bowls. This type is ideal for serving Malbec, Tempranillo and Sangiovese wines.
Best type of glass for tasting white wine
White wine glasses also come in a variety of types, designed to best suit the unique characteristics of certain white wine varieties. Aromatic wines such as Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are best served in Riesling glasses, with petite bowls and narrow rims that trap these varieties’ floral and citrus aromas. Like a Bordeaux wine glass, a Riesling glass is a versatile glass type for several different white wine varieties and a good choice if you only want to invest in one set of wine glasses.
For richer, full-bodied wines such as an oak Chardonnay or rich Viognier, a Chardonnay glass is the perfect choice. These glasses have rounded, ample bowls designed to highlight these wines’ complex layers of aromas. This type of glass is also known as a white Burgundy glass.
What type of glass do you serve rosé wine in?
Specific rosé glasses are few and far between. But, you don’t need a specific glass to enjoy a rosé wine’s juicy, refreshing character – just opt for a Riesling glass.
What type of glass do I use for sparkling wine?
The go-to glass for sparkling wine is the classic flute – tall, slender and elegant. But did you know you could also serve your fizz of choice in a coupe or tulip glass as well? It just depends on what type of fizz you’ve selected.
Italian Prosecco and Spanish Cava are best served in a classic flute, the tall bowl allowing their lively bubbles to travel and burst on your lips when you take a sip. They’re also easier to hold when juggling festive canapés and presents.
Prosecco can also be served in a tulip glass, just like Moscato d’Asti. The flared rim on this type of wine glass better collects those delicate floral and citrus aromas when their bubbles pop.
But if you’ve gone all out and popped the cork on a bottle of vintage Champagne, avoid a flute or tulip glass – opt for a Chardonnay glass instead. Vintage Champagnes have stronger, richer aromas that can’t be fully appreciated in smaller designs. A younger Champagne should be enjoyed in a coupe glass, with more oxygen allowing its delicate nutty and toasted aromas to be released.
Dessert wine glasses
If you’re someone who prefers to drink their dessert or drink with their dessert, having a few dessert glasses in your wine glass collection is a must.
A Port glass looks a bit like a miniature Riesling glass, while a Sherry glass is more tulip-shaped. Despite their different forms, they have the same goal – a small bowl condenses the wine’s powerful aromas, while the shape of the glass’s rim concentrates these scents. Dessert wine glasses, although small, are tall and narrow, allowing you to slowly sip the wine.
Do I really need a different type of wine glass?
We know there isn’t enough room in most kitchens to have different types of wine glasses for every style and variety of wine out there. So, do you really need a different wine glass for each variety or style you might conceivably drink? Of course not. While it’s true drinking out of a glass designed for a specific wine style can enhance your enjoyment, it’s not a must-have.
As a basic collection of glasses – a pack of six Bordeaux glasses, a pack of six Riesling glasses and some flutes should suffice. If you’re short on cabinet space, you can always pick up sets of four or two instead of six.
And our top tip? Get glasses you love. It will immediately elevate your experience and make the wine taste better.
About the author
Brogan Wilson
Qualified to WSET Level 2 Wine, Brogan is a relatively new member of the team, having joined in September 2023. She previously worked as the sole copywriter at a creative marketing agency, and before that, as a primary school teacher. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find her growing her knowledge, asking lots of questions, and crafting both digital and print copy. An ardent red wine drinker, Brogan is also fond of Crémant.
