Choosing the Right Wine Glasses
The types of wine glasses you drink from can greatly affect the aroma and taste of the wine, so it is important to know how glasses pair with various wines. Research shows choosing the proper wine glass is certainly important. In 2015, a Japanese medical group1 conducted a study that utilized a special camera to record images of ethanol vapors found in different wine glasses. These vapors carry aromatic compounds, which produce the various flavors in most wines, to your nose. The study's research group found different styles of wine glasses affect the position and density of vapors at their openings. For this reason, serving wine in the proper glass is imperative if you want to ensure your customers are getting the best taste and aroma from your wine.
The Different Types of Wine Glasses
Several factors should be taken into consideration when deciding which wine glasses to use. First, you should decide which types of wines you plan on serving your guests. Some glasses can be used with several wines, while others are suited for one specific type. Remember smell, taste, and even how smoothly the wine goes down depend on using the proper wine glass. Also, with red wines, you must account for the amount of tannins in the beverage as they will affect the wine's dryness, bitterness, and astringency. In the sections below, we'll go over popular wine glasses and the wines they pair best with.
Reds
Bordeaux
A Bordeaux wine glass typically has a broad bowl that enables the wine to breathe. It pairs best with full-bodied, heavier red wines high in tannins. Bordeaux glasses are also designed to help the wine go down smoothly.
Pairs best with: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec
Burgundy
A Burgundy wine glass is the tallest of all red wine glasses and features a broad bowl; however, it is not as broad as other glasses. It is designed to enhance the intensity and acidity of full-bodied red wines.
Pairs best with: Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, and red Burgundy
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon wine glasses are designed with a wide base but an average-length stem and, typically, a narrow rim. This type of glass enhances the wine by enabling it to come in contact with oxygen to bring out the flavor and reduce the tannins.
Pairs best with: Cabernet Sauvignon and other bold reds
Pinot Noir
Shaped similarly to the Bordeaux glass, Pinot Noir glasses have a wide bowl, which enables the wine to come in contact with air, enhancing the aroma and flavor of the wine. The out-turned rim directs the wine’s flavor and aroma straight to the drinker's senses.
Pairs best with: Pinot Noir and lighter reds
Zinfandel
Zinfandel glasses have a broad base with a narrower top. This design tempers the wine, enhancing the taste and smell of spices and fruit. It is designed to focus on the aroma and direct the flavor to the mid-palate.
Pairs best with: Zinfandel
Whites
Chardonnay
Slightly smaller than Pinot Noir glasses, Chardonnay glasses are designed with a wide bowl and a slightly tapered top. These glasses are made to keep white wine tasting fresh while balancing its acidity and sweetness.
Pairs best with: Chardonnay, Semillon, and other full-bodied whites
Riesling
Riesling wine glasses are narrower and taller than other types of white wine glasses. They feature a small rim, and their tall, tapered shape helps concentrate the fruity aroma and direct the wine towards the back of the mouth, preventing it from tasting too sweet.
Pairs best with: Riesling and other sweet white wines
Sauvignon Blanc
Featuring a narrow bowl that is slightly tapered with a long stem, Sauvignon Blanc glasses have a tall, slim design. This shape enables the drinker to detect the wine's aroma while also reducing the amount of oxygen in the glass, keeping the wine fresh.
Pairs best with: Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Blanc, and Pinot Grigio
Sparkling Wine and Champagne
Champagne
Champagne glasses – also known as flutes – are tall and slender with a taper-free design. They are made to keep Champagne and its bubbles on the tip of your tongue, making sure you get the drink's aroma on your first sip.
Pairs best with: Champagne and Prosecco
Sparkling Wine
Much like Champagne glasses, sparkling wine glasses enhance the sparkling wine's bouquet. They have a wider bowl than Champagne glasses, which enables richer, more complex flavors to develop. The wider base also helps ensure the tall glass remains stable.
Pairs best with: Prosecco and other sparkling wines
- Japanese Wine Study. Royal Society of Chemistry. Accessed May 2020.
