You may have noticed that there are so many wine glass shapes out there. Really, there are more than you can poke a stick at. And often there are glasses designed specifically for certain varieties i.e. a Pinot Noir glass vs a Shiraz glass. But why are there specific glasses for different wines? And does the wine glass shape really make a difference? This wine guide dives into everything you need to know about glasses. It looks at why there are so many available, and what you should look for.
Does it really matter?
As a marketer, I came to this topic with a little scepticism. Convincing everyone that they need specific glasses for each wine they drink sounds like the perfect way to make money to me – I mean why convince wine lovers they only need one set when you could convince them they need 10?
I think we should all come at it from this angle because realistically, not all of us are going to be able to afford, or be able to store, a set for each wine we enjoy. Unless you have unlimited storage and an unlimited budget, you simply won’t be able to. So it’s most important to look at this topic from a lens of learning more about how they work. I’m not going to go into all the specific designs and what you should use for what. Instead let’s look at why there are specific glasses for different wines, and what we can learn from this. Then if you want to start expanding your collection, you can do so with confidence!
Why are there specific glasses for different wines?
The reason behind having different glasses for different wines comes down to the impact of the shape of the glass on the tasting experience. Think about it: there are so many wine varieties from red, to white, to sparkling wine. Every wine you drink has something different to experience, whether it is an aroma, bubbles, or notes on the palate. The idea behind having a glass for each variety is that they can help you experience the true nature of the wine.
Why? Well, the glass shape allows aromas to escape while you sip, as well as shaping where the wine lands on your tongue. All of these factors elicit different flavour responses. So using different glasses basically gives you the best tasting experience possible.
What Are the Benefits?
So what are the benefits of matching the appropriate glass with the wine you’re drinking? Here are some reasons to consider it:
- Correctly aerated wine: Some wines need exposure to air before serving to allow the wine to breathe. This is especially important with tannin-heavy, bold reds. The aeration allows the wine to “breathe,” literally oxidizing particular chemical compounds to unearth the full expression of its unique flavours. Although best done in a decanter, a larger glass will help this process.
- Full bouquet and nose: A proper white or red glass permits appropriate wine aromas to escape, which allows you to fully experience the wine you’re tasting.
- Appropriate temperature: Every wine varietal has an ideal serving temperature. Depending on the stem type and shape, a drinker’s hand may envelop the entire glass, causing heat to transfer and raising its temperature above ideal serving conditions.
- For the aesthetics: Ok maybe not a scientific benefit, but I think this is one of the most important personally. It’s so fun having more than one set, and can really enhance the drinking experience for you and your friends. Nothing beats a pretty glass!
What are the main components?
So now that we know the benefits, rather than going into the specifics of each glass, I thought I’d explain the main components. This helps to understand why wine glasses are different.
- The rim: Wine glass rims are the part that comes into contact with your lips as you drink. For this reason, you’ll often hear the rim called the “mouth” of a glass. Thickness is the defining quality of wine rims.
- The bowl: Wine glass bowls are the basin portion you pour the wine into. The wider the bowl, the easier it is to swirl your wine, which is important for helping aromas open up. Generally, red wine glasses will have wider rims than most white wine glassware.
- The stem: Stems are the long, thin part of the glass drinkers hold without having to touch the bowl, avoiding heating the wine with your hands.
- The base: The foot of a wine glass is the circular base allowing the dishware to stand upright. The majority of wine glass types have this.
Together the rim, bowl, stem and base impact how the wine swirls and sips, temperature and aromas. These are the fundamental reasons for different shapes, so understanding them helps you to know what you need.
Which Glass for Which Type of Wine?
So now you know why there are specific glasses for different wines, should you stock up on different shapes? Unless you have unlimited budget and space, I don’t think you need to. It is simply not feasible. However, if you want to start expanding your collection, there are a couple of things you can look for. What I would start with is finding glasses for the four types of wines so you have all your bases covered.
- Glasses for red wine: Generally speaking, red glasses are usually larger than white glasses. Aim for glassware with taller stems, generous bowls and a slight-to-medium inward taper at the rim. This prevents red wine’s stronger tannins from assailing your nose with every sip, whilst ensuring the wine can open up enough.
- Glasses for white and rosé wine: For white wine and rosé, opt for glassware that is smaller, lighter, upright and traditionally U-shaped. This prevents too much aeration from dulling any delicate flavours.
- Glasses for sparkling wine: Select tall, slender and straight stemware like flutes and tulips. Although flutes do the trick, the tulip is the best for optimal drinking of sparkling wine.
In summary
So all in all, there is a reason for different glasses, sure. And if you want to, you can definitely get a glass for every wine you drink. There really are endless options out there. But if you don’t want to fill your house with glasses, there are also a few you can look out for to get enough wine glasses to tick the boxes generally. But hey, if you don’t have the budget or space, only having one wine glass isn’t going to ruin your wine! You can still get plenty of enjoyment out of wine regardless of what it’s in. So make the call for yourself on how many you want to buy!