Wine glasses: What you need to know
Wine glasses are an essential part of the wine-drinking experience. The right wine glass can enhance the flavors and aromas of the wine, while the wrong wine glass can mute or even distort the wine's taste.
Phase 1: A few basic things to keep in mind when choosing
Size: The size of the wine glass affects the amount of air (specifically Oxygen) that comes into contact with the wine. This can affect the wine's flavor and aroma. Red wine glasses are typically larger than white wine glasses because red wines need more air to open up.
Shape of the bowl: The shape of the wine glass also affects the way that the wine tastes. Red wine glasses typically have a rounder bowl than white wine glasses, because red wines are more full-bodied and need more surface area to breathe. White wine glasses typically have a taller, narrower bowl than red wine glasses, because white wines are more delicate and need more concentration of the aromas and these help to preserve the freshness of the wine.
Material: Wine glasses are typically made of glass or crystal. Glass is more affordable, but crystal is more durable and can enhance the appearance of the wine. This is more of a personal choice - go with your aesthetic
Phase 2: A Guide to the most common types of wine glasses:
Red wine: Red wine glasses are typically larger and have a rounder bowl than white wine glasses. This is because red wines need more air contact to open up and reveal their full flavor profile.
White/Rosé wine: White wine glasses are typically taller and narrower than red wine glasses. This is because white wines are more delicate and need more concentration of aromas.
Sparkling wine: Champagne flutes are used for sparkling wines, such as Champagne and prosecco. The tall, narrow flute helps to retain the bubbles in the wine.
Dessert wine: Dessert wine glasses are typically smaller and have a rounded bowl. This is because dessert wines are typically sweeter and more concentrated than other types of wine.
