How To Choose The Best Wine Glasses For You

There is more to enjoying a nice glass of wine than merely choosing a good bottle. The glass that you also choose matters. If you don’t think that this is the case, all you need to do is pour out a glass of wine in a water glass and then pour one in a wine glass, and you will definitely notice a difference.

With that in mind, we are going to take a look at the importance of a proper wine glass in further depth, as well as revealing the different wine glasses out there.

Why is The Proper Wine Glass Important?

The aroma of the wine can be enhanced with the right glass shape, and this, in turn, will influence how the wine tastes. When a wine glass curves inward at the top, this is going to help the aromas concentrate in this area. When you sniff the wine and sip it, the aromas will become more distinct based on the concentration of the wine around the rim. This will ultimately impact how we perceive the wine based upon the glass that you are enjoying from it.

What Are The Different Types of Wine Glasses?

Let’s take a look at some of the different kinds of wine glasses you can choose from:

Red Wine Glasses

There are many different red wine glasses to choose from, and your selection has a lot to do with the mitigation of the tannins, helping to deliver a taste experience that is a lot smoother. There are a lot of different styles of red wine glasses on the market today, as you will quickly discover. Therefore, the kind of red wine you drink does have an impact. Of course, your budget and personal preferences are going to come into account as well.

White Wine Glasses

White wine tends to be served in a smaller bowled glass. Smaller glasses will deliver more aromas due to the proximity to the nose, express more acidity in the wine, maintain a cooler temperature, and preserve the floral aromas. Keep in mind that some white wines, such as White Rioja and oak-aged Chardonnay, may taste better when you have a glass with a larger bowl.

Bordeaux Glass

This is a large shape glass, which tends to work well with bold red wines, like Bordeaux Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Cabernet Franc. These wine glasses have a wider opening, which will result in smoother tasting wine.

“Standard” Red Wine Glass

Next, we have the standard red wine glass. This is the sort of glass you should choose if you are looking to enjoy a medium to full-bodied red wine with high alcohol content and/or spicy taste. The spice flavor tends to soften when you go for these glasses because the flavors will hit your tongue more aggressively due to the smaller opening. These sorts of glasses work exceptionally well with varieties such as Petite Sirah, Syrah, Malbec, and Zinfandel.

Bourgogne Glass

Next, we have the Bourgogne wine glass. This is the recommended choice if you have a red wine that is more delicate than the ones that we have discussed so far. This glass should be preserved for those wines that have subtle aromas. The large round bowl in these glasses functions to collect the aromas. Our favorite wines for this sort of glass is Pinot Noir.

Specialty Wine Glasses

There is also a significant market for specialty wine glasses. These are wine glasses that have been created with a specific type of wine in mind. Whether or not you purchase one of these glasses for wine is going to depend on the sort of wine you like to enjoy the most. For example, you will find that most people will have an official Port glass in their cabinet, which tends to be brought out when they enjoy Port and wine, especially during the festive period. This has a narrow mouth and a small size, which is vital for reducing evaporation.

Of course, the most common specialty glass is the champagne flute! This is a glass that we would all be able to point out a line-up.

Universal Glass

You may have also noticed that there are wine glasses advertised as universal glasses available to purchase. This is the ideal choice for someone who drinks different kinds of wine and is not too bothered about enhancing their taste buds with the right glass. If you are more of a pragmatic enthusiast and you are looking to save space in your home, you are probably going to want to go for the universal glass. This is also better on your budget since you will not have to purchase different types of glass for every kind of wine.

The Perfect Wine Glass for The Perfect Wine Tour

Once you have chosen the perfect wine glass, why not make the most out of your new purchase by going on an exciting wine tour. With Wine Country Travel, you will get an in-depth exploration of the wine scene in Sonoma and Napa Valley. Jason Broekhuizen, the Owner and Chief Concierge has visited and established relationships with more than 100 wineries in the area allowing him to plan the best tour for you, your preferred wine styles, and most importantly, your budget.

Which Type of Wine Glasses Should I Buy?

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the different types of wine glasses that are available on the market today. We would highly recommend choosing a wine glass based on the variety of wine you enjoy the most. The right glass with the right wine will certainly enhance your wine drinking experience.