Choosing the Right Glassware

Choosing the right wine glasses can enhance the overall wine-drinking experience and impress your guests. You want the wine to present as intended and glassware matters! We’ve broken down how to make your selections by red and white varietals so you can host your next dinner party with confidence.

Red Wine Glasses:

• Large “Bordeaux” glass
  • Wine Types: Bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Insignia
  • Why: The larger surface area helps to deliver more aromatics in bold wines with tannin structure
• Medium Sized Red Wine glass such as Syrah/Shiraz
  • Wine Types: Bold to medium reds with spicy and peppery notes like Malbec and Syrah
  • Why: The spice flavor is softened by the smaller opening.
• “Burgundy” glass
  • Wine Types: Delicate red wines with floral aromas, like Pinot Noir.
  • Why: The large round bowl helps collect all the fragrant aromas.

Images from Riedel

White Wine Glasses:
White wines are typically served in smaller bowled glasses to preserve floral aromas, maintain cooler temperatures, express more acidity or sweetness in the wine, deliver more aromas, due to the proximity to the nose.

• Chardonnay glass
  • Larger than other white wine glasses, with a wide bowl that allows the wine to breathe and the full-bodied flavors to be appreciated.
• Sauvignon Blanc glass
  • A smaller bowl than Chardonnay glasses, which helps to preserve the wine’s crisp, fruity flavors. They also have a narrower rim, which allows the wine to be sipped directly, rather than poured into the mouth.
• Riesling glass
  • Similar in shape to Sauvignon Blanc glasses, but they tend to be slightly larger, which helps to accentuate the wine’s sweetness and fruitiness.
• Pinot Grigio glass
  • Smaller than other white wine glasses and have a more delicate shape, which helps to preserve the wine’s light, refreshing flavors.

Images from Riedel