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Glass Guide part 1 – How to choose the right wine glass
THE IMPORTANCE OF SHAPE & MATERIAL
What many people may not realise is that the shape and size of a wine glass can have a direct impact on how the wine will be perceived. In the vast majority of cases, people choose glasses based on design without a thought of whether it fits the wines they like to drink. But if you want to learn more and get some help with choosing the right glass for your favourite wine, here are a few tips to take with you:
- A really good glass should be made of glass or crystal and not be too thick. The glass should have a nice, thin edge at the top as it makes the flavour experience much more pleasant.
- Although it is possible to use the same wine glass for both red and white wine, it is much more beneficial for the taste and experience to use wine glasses adapted for red wines and white wines respectively.
- Avoid plastic glasses as plastic is a material that emits its own flavour, so it can negatively affect the taste of the wine.
- Choose a larger glass so that the wine can take up space and air properly.
- Stem or no stem? Traditionally wine glasses come with a stem but in recent years stemless glasses have been having a moment. But it is important to note that the stem is not purely aesthetic. The temperature of a wine affects the taste, holding the bowl of a glass can cause the temperature of the wine to rise due to the heat of your hands. Of course this is might not be such an issue for red wine as it is for white, which should be chilled.
The Karlevi wine glass from Scandi Living has a soft rounded bowl making it the perfect all round glass for red or wine white!
A beloved design classic! The Essence wine glass from Iittala whose characteristic shape is available for both red and white wine.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE BOWL
A simple rule of thumb when it comes to wine glasses is what differentiates the size of the bowl:
- Large bowls with large openings are mainly for red wines, they allow the air to circulate and help bring out the robust flavours and aromas that the different grapes have.
- Medium or small bowls are designed to make it harder for the aromas of the wine to escape and are therefore better for white wines with their delicate flavours.
- For sparkling wines, long narrow flutes are the most common to preserve the refreshing bubbles for longer, however so argue that allowing more air to reach the wine can help develop the flavours.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT RED WINE GLASS
Are you a red wine lover? Then it might be a good idea to invest in a really good red wine glass. A glass with a slightly wider bowl and rounder shape is perfect. The large bowl is there to speed up the oxidation process – this is what brings out the aroma and flavour of the wine. There are two main types of red wine glass shapes to look out for:
- Burgundy - This red wine glass has a wide bowl that brings out the fine aroma of subtle grapes like Pinot Noir. The glass is shaped to help direct the wine towards the tip of the tongue, giving you a pleasurable flavour experience.
- Bordeaux - Has a narrower bowl and is specially adapted for fuller bodied wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The shape of this wine glass helps bring the wine to the back of your mouth, bringing out the best in these types of red wines.
HOW TO CHOOSE A GLASS FOR WHITE WINE
When it comes to white wines, there are a few more types of glasses to choose from - from long, narrow champagne flutes to large, wide white wine glasses - it all depends on the type of wine you buy:
- Chardonnay, Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc - are dry white wines that are best served in a white wine glass with a narrow, straight cut bowl and a small opening to emphasise acidity and freshness.
- A fruitier white wine, on the other hand, is recommended to be served in a glass with a slightly wider waist and a smaller opening to emphasise the ripeness and aroma of the wine.
- Champagne or sparkling wines - are varieties that require a tall, narrow glass, i.e. a flute glass with a small opening that keeps the bubbles in the wine for a longer period of time. We have a whole guide to choosing the right champagne glass so if you are looking for something for your sparkling wine be sure to read that here.
Photography: Angeliqa Daldorph, Saga Form, Spiegelau
