Guides
Taste your glasses
Why You Should Match Wine Glasses with Wine
Do you use the same wine glass for all your wines, whether it’s Southern French Côte du Rhône, Burgundy Pinot Noir, German Riesling or an Italian sangiovese? So read on to find out why you should choose a glass that matches your wine on the grape or area.
The right wine deserves the right glass. This statement may sound like a cliché, but it’s true! The right wine glass can make all the difference in the experience of your favourite wine. But with so many types of wine glasses, it can be a challenge to know which one suits your wine best. In this blog post from Wineandbarrels, we will go through the different types of wine glasses and explore why the taste can vary depending on which wine glass you use. We will introduce you to the concept of glass tasting and explain how grape-specific wine glasses can make a huge difference to your wine.
Which wine glasses should I choose?
Part 1: What is the difference between red and white wine glasses?
Most people know the difference between a red wine glass and a white wine glass, where the size and shape are the biggest difference. In general, red wine glasses have a wider bowl that allows the wine to “breathe”. This width helps to release aromas that are important for the red wine’s taste experience. On the other hand, white wine glasses are smaller and often have a narrower opening, which helps to maintain the cool temperature and delicate aromas of white wine. If you want to get the best out of your wine, choose a glass that matches the wine’s grape or region.
What is the difference between grape-specific wine glasses?
Glass design and aroma: different wine glasses are shaped in a way that can concentrate the aroma and direct it to the nose in different ways. Some glasses are designed to enhance fruity aromas, while others focus on the complexity and bouquet. The shape of the wine glass can affect the way you experience the smell of the wine.
Mouthfeel and wine balance: the shape and size of the wine glass can affect the wine’s contact with the oral cavity and tongue. This can change the perception of taste, texture and balance. Some glasses can accentuate the fruity sweetness of the wine, while others can soften the tannins or enhance the acidity. All depending on where the wine first comes into contact with your tongue.
Oxidation rate of the wine: the size and opening of the glass can affect how much oxygen comes into contact with the wine. This can change the wine’s development and taste profile over time. Some glasses are designed to support the oxidation process and open the wine gradually, while others can provide a faster and more intense oxidation. Some wines will also benefit from being decanted and aerated in a carafe. Here we are specifically thinking of younger or highly tannic wines. (Also read our blog post on wine oxidation.
Burgundy glass
A bourgogne glass is known for its wide bowl and narrower opening. This shape allows the wine to be better exposed to the air, releasing the complex aromas of bourgogne wines, which are often more delicate and less tannic than other red wines. The shape of the glass can really help highlight the subtle notes of these wines.
Burgundy glass
Chardonnay glass
Chardonnay glasses often have a more medium-sized bowl that is wider at the bottom and narrower towards the top. This shape highlights the richness and complexity of the wine while helping to preserve its freshness. If you’re looking for the best wine glass for rich white wines like chardonnay, this is the ideal choice.
Chardonnay glass
Bordeaux glass
A burgundy glass is higher than a bourgogne glass, with a more straight bowl. This shape is designed to direct the wine to the middle of the tongue, where you can taste the balanced flavours of fruit and acidity that are typical of Bordeaux wines. This glass is the perfect choice for fuller red wines.
Bordeaux glass
Champagne glasses
A champagne glass is tall and narrow, designed to help keep the bubbles in the champagne for as long as possible. The narrow opening also helps to concentrate the delicate aromas of the champagne. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a glass of bubbles, a champagne glass is a must.
Champagne glasses
Riesling Glass
Riesling glasses are typically tall and narrow, designed to guide the wine to the front of the tongue, helping to highlight its high acidity and intense fruit flavour. This makes riesling glasses the perfect choice for lighter, more acidic white wines such as riesling or sauvignon blanc.
Riesling Glass
Pinot noirglas
A pinot noir glass is wide like a bourgogne glass, but with a slightly more oblong shape. This design helps to collect the aromas and direct them up to the nose, while allowing the wine to breathe. It is the ideal glass for light and medium wines on the pinot noir grape.
Pinot Noirglas
What does a port glass look like?
A port wine glass is smaller than most other wine glasses. It is designed to enhance the rich, powerful aroma and taste of port wine, often enjoyed in smaller quantities. The shape of the glass helps guide the wine to the back of the tongue, where you can best taste its sweetness. Also read our blog post about port glasses: port glass size (wineandbarrels.com)
Port wine glass
Part 2: What is a glass tasting?
How do I make a glass tasting?
A wine tasting with different glasses, also known as “glass tasting”, is an exciting and informative experience where you can learn more about how different glass designs can affect the aroma, taste and mouthfeel of the wine. By focusing on grape-specific wine glasses developed for specific wine types, glass tasting can give you a deeper understanding of the wine’s complexity and subtle nuances.
Choose wine glasses: start by choosing a range of grape-specific wine glasses that are suitable for the types of wine you want to taste. Take a look at the list above when choosing wine glasses. Make sure the glasses are clean and free of any soap or salt residue from the dishwasher. Also have a glass of water ready, as it can also be a fun experience to try the wine in it.
Choose wines: choose a selection of wines representingdifferent styles and varieties of grapes. Remember to temper the wine correctly to ensure optimal taste experiences.
You can also choose to make a blind tasting, as this is a fun way to eliminate any biases and let you focus on taste and aroma without knowing the wine first. We sell many exciting gadgets for blind tastings, including our more popular black glasses, which make it really difficult, believe it or not, to decode whether it is a rose, red or white wine. Another important element of blind tasting is the possibility of 'hiding' the bottle, and here we have the indispensable bottle socks.
Start tasting: Vinify all glasses by pouring a little wine into a glass and swirling it around, repeat in all glasses. Now pour a new sift of wine into each glass. Start by observing the colour, clarity and viscosity of each wine in each glass. Then smell the wine and identify the different aromas. Take a sip and let the wine move around in your mouth while you notice flavour notes, acidity, tannins and aftertaste. Repeat the process with each wine in each gal, paying attention to the differences in taste experience between the different glasses.
Experience: you will now probably be able to taste a significant difference on the same wine depending on the glass it is drunk in. So next time you want to explore a new wine, don't forget to experiment with different wine glasses to discover new taste experiences!
Concluding remark
Whether you prefer the classic and timeless design of Spiegelau wine glasses, the advanced shape and function of Zalto wine glasses, the shatterproof Tritan®️ glass from Schott Zwiesel or the luxurious elegance of Riedel wine glasses, we have the perfect glass for every wine and every occasion.
Glass tasting is a fascinating way to explore the complexity and nuances of wine. By using different grape-specific wine glasses, you can experience a significant difference in aroma, taste and mouthfeel.
At Wineandbarrels, we believe that the best wine glass is what makes you enjoy your wine the most. Our selection of beautiful wine glasses includes a wide range of styles and materials, including crystal wine glasses that can really highlight the beauty and complexity of your wine. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur looking for the perfect wine glass for your favourite wine, or just looking for beautiful wine glasses to offer your guests, we have something for every taste and budget.
Visit us in our showroom in Hillerød or Fredericia or find your new favourite wine glass online today!
We are always ready to help and guide you.