A Guide to Types of Wine Glasses

Hitting the stemware section of any homeware store can be overwhelming. Walk down the aisles, and you’ll see wine glasses in every shape and style. If you’re wondering why there are so many types of wine glasses and whether it even matters which wine glass you use, we’ve got the answer. The shape and size of your glass can greatly impact your wine’s aroma, taste and overall experience, so knowing which wine glass to choose is a good starting point.

Why Different Glasses Matter

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 dynamic compounds, and slow down how quickly the wine hits your taste buds. In other words, the right glassware can really make a wine shine.

Stemmed wine glasses are the most common, and there are four parts to every stemmed glass:

Base—the bottom of the glass, aka the “foot.” The base keeps your glass stable.
Stem—the elegant length of glass that connects the base to the bowl. Stems are a good thing, because they keep warm hands away from the bowl. As body heat transfers to the wine, it negatively affects the expressiveness of aromas and flavors.
Bowl—along with the rim, this is the most important part of the glass. The size and shape of the bowl 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 rim varies in size, thickness and shape, all of which work together to determine how the wine is delivered to your mouth.

Red Versus White Wine Glasses

The main difference between red and white wine glasses is their size. Red wine glasses are bigger and taller, with more dramatically curved bowls. As white wine doesn’t need to breathe in the same way as red wine, white wine glasses are smaller with narrower openings.

Red Wine Glasses

There are two main options for red wine glasses: Bordeaux and Burgundy. Bordeaux (aka Cabernet Sauvignon) glasses are tall and broad, tapering slightly towards the rim to help direct aromas to your nose. This shape helps soften the impact of tannins and alcohol on the palate. Use Bordeaux glasses for full-bodied, bolder wines made from grapes with thicker skins: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. They’re a solid choice if you want to buy a versatile set of red glasses.

Then there are Burgundy/Pinot Noir glasses. Instantly recognizable thanks to their wide bowl, these glasses unlock the delicate notes of wines made from grapes like Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. That generously sized bowl allows the aromas to gather and concentrate where they might otherwise be a little shy in a Bordeaux glass.

You’ll also come across Syrah glasses. They’re similar to Bordeaux glasses but with a shorter stem and slightly smaller bowl. Break out Syrah glasses for Malbec, Tempranillo and Sangiovese as well.

White Wine Glasses

Designed to capture the heady fragrance of aromatic wines, the Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc glass has a smaller bowl and tapers towards the rim. Like the Bordeaux glass for reds, Riesling glasses are a good catch-all for unoaked white wines.

For those gorgeous oaked Chardonnays and lush Viogniers, a Chardonnay glass (aka white Burgundy glass) is the ideal choice. The wide bowl maximizes the layers and complexities of opulent white wines.

Rosé Wine Glasses

A few stemware producers make glasses specifically for rosé, but there’s no need to buy different wine glasses here. Drink your rosés from a Riesling glass.

Sparkling Wine Glasses

Pouring bubbles? Take your pick between the classic flute, the tulip and the coupe. Festive and fun, the flute and tulip are fixtures when popping Prosecco or tucking into canapes and Cava thanks to their long, narrow shape, which allows the fine bubbles to stream up. Tulips are better for fresh, aromatic sparkling wines like Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti. The flare at the rim collects the fruity, floral aromas of their easy, breezy bubbles.

Pro-tip: if you’re popping open a vintage Champagne, use a Chardonnay glass. The nuances of a mature bubbly get lost when using the standard sparkling wine stemware.

Dessert Wine Glasses

If you’re someone who prefers to drink their dessert, having a few dessert glasses in your wine glass collection is a must. A Port glass resembles a mini Riesling glass, while stemware for Sherry looks more like a tulip. Though the shapes are different, the goal is the same—a small bowl concentrates the intense aromas of the wine, while the shape of the rim aims to gather the aromas. Though small, dessert glasses are tall and narrow, allowing the wine to slowly enter the mouth where it can be savored.

Do I Need Different Glasses for Every Wine Type?

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 crafted for a specific wine style can enhance your sensory experience, it’s not a hard must-have.

As a basic collection of stemware, a pack of six Bordeaux glasses, a pack of six Riesling glasses and some flutes should suffice. If you’re short on cabinet space, pick up sets of four instead of six.

Eileen, Wine Advisor Team Manager

I have always enjoyed working with passionate people that I can learn from. Most importantly, we are all partners in wine who continue to grow, challenge and share our knowledge daily. What could be better?

WSET – Level Wines & Spirits Certified
Sake Level 1 Certified

Red Burgundy • Barolo • Rhone Red • I’ve never met a Rosé I didn’t like!

eileen@laithwaites.com | (203) 523-2161

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