When most people drink wine, they don’t pay a lot of attention to the glass they use. However, on top of causing issues with serving sizes, different wine glasses actually suit certain wines better than others. In fact, picking the right glass can end up improving your overall wine drinking experience…
Wine Glasses: Choose The Right One
White wines
White wine glasses tend to depend on the body of the winein question. In general, it’s best to place these wines in a glass with a small bowl. This is done for a couple of reasons. Smaller bowled glasses help to improve aromas, maintain cold temperatures, and make acidity more pronounced.
However, this is mainly for lighter-bodied white wines. If your white wine is more full-bodied, then you’ll want to opt for a glass with a bit more of a larger bowl. These newer, larger glasses help to improve the more creamy mouth textures of these full-bodied options.
Red wines
Red wine glasses have some of the most variety. Again, the best choice mainly depends on the body of the wine. Still, unlike the with white wines, red wines have three major glass types. These types are the large “Bordeaux” glasses, the “standard” glasses, and the smaller “Bourgogne” glass.
The “Bordeaux” glass is best for very bold red wines, as it helps them taste smoother and brings out more aromas. The standard glasses are best for medium- to full-bodied reds, as it helps the wine progressively hit your tongue. Finally, the “Bourgogne” style works well with light, delicate reds with lighter aromas.
Specialty wine
Specialty wine glasses have some of the more interesting and noticeable shapes out there. For instance, everyone is aware of the narrow Champagne flute. These glasses work well with sparkling wines like Champagne because the narrow shape helps keep the wine carbonated for longer.
There’s also dessert or fortified wines to consider. Think of wines which might be flavored like a dessert, or ones boosted with extra alcohol like a Port. These glasses are the shortest out there, with wide bodies and narrow mouths. These features help keep the wine’s flavors strong while you drink it.
