Types of Wine Glasses

Some say that the types of wine glasses used affect the flavors and aromas of the wine, while others say it doesn't really matter.

Slideshow:Types of Wine Glasses

The following is a list of the different kinds of wine glasses you can expect to come across when searching for the perfect set.

• White wine glasses – Slightly taller than red wine glasses with a longer stem and narrower bowl.
• Red wine glasses – Red wine glasses have shorter stems and wider bowls as compared to white wine glasses.
• Champagne flutes – Used to serve Champagne and sparkling wine, the average flute holds about six ounces of sparkling wine or Champagne and stands around eight inches tall.
• Champagne saucers – These glasses are short and stout with a wide, shallow bowl.
• Stemless – These wine glasses are available for both red and white wines.
• Bordeaux glasses – The perfect "all purpose" wine glass, it is designed to hold both red and white wines.

There are almost as many different wine glasses made specifically for a certain varietal of wine as there are different types of wine. Buying wine glasses this way will get expensive, so unless you are a very serious wine drinker, less expensive wine glasses will do. If you simply must have your very own Pinot Noir glass from which to drink your Pinot Noir, then go with a glass made by Riedel. This 250 year old company is considered by many to be the absolute best when it comes to wine glasses.

Wondering why there are so many various kinds of wine glasses and whether or not the different designs really make a difference? Well…yes and no. It is a vigorously argued point in serious wine circles as to whether or not Pinot Noir tastes the best in a Pinot Noir glass or if a Bordeaux glass will do just fine. Some say yes there is a difference, while others say no, no difference at all.

Red wine glass

Red wine glasses aren't designed differently than other wine glasses just for the sake of being different. No, believe it or not, they are designed with a specific purpose in mind.

• The shorter stem – Most people hold the bowl of a wine glass when drinking. Stems on red wine glasses are shorter than white wine glasses because it doesn't matter if a person holds the stem of a red wine glass or the bowl. Why does this not matter? Well, because of heat transfer. When a person holds a wine glass from the bowl, their body heat is transferred to the wine, warming it slightly (that's what they say). This slight rise in temperature does not affect the flavors and aromas of red wine.
• The larger bowl – The bowl is larger in design for a couple of reasons:
  • A larger bowl allows red wine more exposure to air.
  • The slight taper of the lip on the top of the bowl is designed to deliver the red wine to the right parts of the mouth, those being the back and sides of the tongue.

White wine glass

The tall and elegant design of white wine glasses also serve a specific purpose.

• The longer stem – This allows for the person drinking the wine to more easily hold the wine by the stem. The reason for this, is again, heat transfer. Holding a glass of white wine from the bowl will warm it slightly and affect the flavor characteristics and bouquet of the wine.
• The smaller bowl – Again, the more slender shape of a white wine glass is designed as such for a couple of reasons:
  • It is not necessary to expose, or aerate white wine as it is for certain red wines.
  • The tapered lip on the top of the bowl concentrates the bouquet of white wine, which is generally more slight and nuanced than the bouquet of red wine. The lip and the bowl of the glass is also designed to deliver the wine to the proper place in the mouth, which is the front.

Just as with almost everything that has to do with tasting and choosing the "best" wines, choosing the "best" wine glass is completely subjective. Sure, Robert Parker said that the effect of Riedel glasses "…is profound. I can't emphasize enough what a difference they make," it doesn't mean they are the best for you. Remember, Robert Parker's job is tasting and critiquing wine, so of course he should have the best equipment for his job. Plus, only seasoned wine connoisseurs may only taste the difference between drinking out of a Riedel glass and a glass from your local Crate & Barrel. Treat yourself and spend the money on the wine and not the glass.

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