If you could have it your way, you might drink a bottle of Bordeaux, straight from the bottle. If that were to happen, you either had a truly heinous day at work or are celebrating something that can only be truly honoured by polishing off an entire bottle of red wine.
But unlike beer, which can be consumed upside down, through a tube or in one go, from a can (ceremoniously crushed on the forehead afterward), wine requires a more delicate, more elegant way of drinking. Wine is meant to be savoured with every sip. And one contributing factor to this whole experience is the kind of glassware you use.
Not every wine glass is suitable for wine varieties. You see, some stemware are designed for reds while others strictly for bubblies, or champagne. Here’s a quick and easy rundown of the kinds of stemware you might shop for, if you love wine.
Red Wine
Most glassware for reds tend to have wider bowls because this design is intended to catch the bouquet of the wine’s aroma. But since wine varieties not only differ in grapes but also in age, the glassware you use should also be appropriate for the vintage of the wine.
Mature reds taste exquisite in a tall glass that has a narrower opening; the design captures the aroma better, giving you a complete taste of the wine. Very mature and full-bodied reds meanwhile require bigger wine glass, with a wider bowl and tapered mouth, allowing oxygenation of older wines that have developed milder tastes. As for younger reds, the wine glass is similar to that used for white wines: large bowl, straight lip.
White Wine
Wine glasses for whites, like Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Grigios, and Chardonnays, will have narrower bowls than reds. The design is perfect for the lighter and more delicate aromas of white wines. But much like reds, there will be subtle differences in shapes meant for the age of the white wine.
Mature white wines will be larger with a straight lip; the larger mouth allows for the complex mix of aromas to mature fully while the straight lip lets the roundness of the wine to be fully enjoyed. Younger white wines are better served in glasses with openings that flare outward. The design helps you appreciate the flavours of the young wine.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine glasses tend to have funnel shapes, as this enables the aromas to be released properly. For champagnes, however, you’ll need the classic flute shape.
Finally, when shopping for your wine glasses, consider these reminders:
- Wine glasses that feature designs will not show the brilliance and colour of the vintage.
- Glassware with thin edges tend to diminish the tasting quality of the wine.
- Wine glasses that are thin will alter the bouquet.