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.
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 Sauvignonand 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.
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.
