Finding the right glasses for your home may be quite unnerving when you have hundreds of brands, shapes, and styles to choose from. Not only do wine glasses vary in form; some are designed to be minimalistic while some are constructed to be glamorous statement pieces to help elevate your entertaining experience. Proper wine glasses typically feature a bell-shaped bowl allowing your wine to aerate. Oxidisation changes a wine’s aroma and tastes in a good way, so much so that using the right wine glass can unlock new scents of good quality wine.
What are the different types of wine glasses?
Different wine glasses are specially designed to uncover different notes of wine through a sensorial experience of smelling and tasting. Before you consider various aspects of drinking wine, think about the kind of wine you often serve at home and which ones you like to use to entertain guests. You don’t need a glass for every region, but depending on how you wine and dine, here are some of the wine glasses that are popular in most households and restaurants:
Red Wine Glass: Burgundy/Pinot Noir Glass – shaped like a teardrop with a tapered rim and shorter stem, focuses on refreshing, fruity aromas concentrated in the bowl to maximise the intensity of the wine’s aroma. Thanks to the bowl’s large surface area, more oxygen can reach the wine better, while the tapered rim allows the wine to have proper aeration.
Bordeaux/Merlot/Cabernet Glass – typically tall and has straight sides, shaped like a tulip, and has a wide bowl with a tapered rim to allow the wine’s aroma to develop fully. The main use of a Bordeaux glass is to magnify the earthy, conventional style of wines made in Bordeaux (which is located in Southwest France).
White Wine Glass: Standard White Wine Glass – typically built with a smaller bowl to preserve the floral aromas and maintain cool temperatures.
Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling Glass – features a narrow aperture with a thinner bowl, a mid-long stem build, and holds less capacity than a red wine glass. The smaller bowl minimises oxygen in the glass and helps detect the concentration of aroma, making this type of glass ideal for serving light-bodied white wine.
Chardonnay Glass – the complete opposite of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling glasses. The Chardonnay glass features a large bowl with a shorter stem; ideal for full-bodied white wines like oak-aged Chardonnay and Muscat.
Champagne Glass – probably the most recognisable in shape, the champagne glass is typically tall and skinny with a narrow flute that curves slightly inwards. This type of glass is designed to cradle the bubbles of your favourite champagne or any sparkling wine so you can enjoy each sip perfectly carbonated.
Universal wine glasses – these glasses are often found in most restaurants and homes. Generally, these glasses are medium-sized and designed for your typical reds, whites and sparkling wines.
Does the shape of your wine glass matter?
Yes! There is a distinct difference in taste depending on the glass and type of wine. Red wine glasses generally have wider bowls than white wine glasses to allow the wine to oxidise and aerate to deliver a smoother-tasting wine. Most white wine glasses have smaller bowls to lower the amount of oxygen in the glass, making it easier to detect the rich concentration of the bouquet. Regardless of how high quality the glass is, the shape of a wine glass matters (at least to wine aficionados).
Universal glasses vs. varietal-specific glasses
Universal glasses usually feature a regular bell-shaped bowl with a mid to long stem. These glasses are the type to use if you’re lacking storage space, needing versatile, budget-friendly wine glasses, or if you’re new to drinking wine. Although universal glasses are designed for all types of wines, these glasses will not fully enhance the wine’s natural characteristics accurately in comparison to varietal-specific glasses. Our best recommendation (even for the average wine drinker) would be to purchase a set of red and white wine glasses so that you can truly appreciate and enjoy your quality wine. Leave the universals for when you’re opening a cheap bottle on a Tuesday night!
What other features to consider when buying wine glasses?
Stemmed glasses or stemless wine glasses – traditionally, wine glasses feature either a mid-long stem to ensure perfect twirling of your wine. Stemmed glasses also prevent your hand from touching the bowl of the glass, which causes the wine to warm up faster.
Thickness of the rim – a good quality wine glass will have a thin lip to enable a smoother transition from glass to mouth; cheaper ones are commonly thicker or have a bump around the edge that hinders the flow.
Size of bowl – for red wines, go for a glass with a wider bowl as it will allow the aromas of the wine to diffuse and redirect again as the glass narrows. As for white wines, the glass bowls are usually narrower in shape for minimal oxidising unless if you have a full-bodied wine like chardonnay, then go for a larger bowled glass. The right type of wine glass will allow the aromatic profile of your wine to sit in its order.
Set number – consider whether you are using the glasses for your consumption or for entertaining guests. Having a set of two wine glasses is ideal for just you and your partner. If you often host dinner parties, consider sets of four or more, depending on your regular party size.
Dishwasher safe vs. handwash only – delicate wine glasses like crystal material and several other brands require glasses to be hand-washed so the glasses will not cloud or shatter easily.
What are the different wine glass styles?
Vintage wine glasses generally have a shorter bowl made using a thick glass, with some featuring an embossed surface for a stylish touch. You’ll find various bowls that are probably uncommon today, like a funnel, trumpet, thistle, bell, and ogee-shaped bowls.
Modern style glasses are designed with function, elegance, and style in mind. The contemporary elements feature clean, seamless lines with brilliant clarity to admire the wine.
Stemless glasses can be more convenient at times. These are easier to hold, more durable, and less prone to breaking easily. You can also find stemless glasses that cater to specific types of wine, and universal stemless glasses that cater to every occasion and type of wine. Stemless glasses are also ideal for outdoor entertaining. If you don’t want to hold onto your glass all day, you can simply use a wine glass holder. Riedel stemless wine glasses are a prime example of high-quality stemless glassware.
Wine tumblers are similar in shape to stemless glasses, but can be made from various materials like stainless steel, plastic, and other types of durable materials. These wine tumblers are hardy alternatives to regular glasses as they are shatterproof and more durable - ideal for picnics or beach outings. Plumm wine glasses are the perfect example of quality, unbreakable wine glasses. Plumm’s Outdoors range is made using polycarbonate and designed to look and feel similar to an actual wine glass. These BPA-free plastic wine glasses are perfect as your go-to outdoor or picnic wine glasses, plus a great alternative to disposable wine glasses. Some wine tumblers also have lids that minimise spills and prevent dust or bugs from contaminating your wine. Insulated wine glasses or tumblers have the additional feature of retaining your wine at a temperature for a longer period.
As for crystal wine glasses, their beauty comes from their unique structure and sparkle. Most crystal glasses are infused with lead to increase weight, clarity, and cleavage, giving the glass that beautiful shine which in turn enhances the wine’s appearance. But with great brilliance also comes great responsibility; crystal glasses are best to be hand-washed to avoid the surface from being scratched and to prevent dullness in appearance.
The Best Wine Glasses by brand in Australia
Riedel - a popular choice favoured by wine connoisseurs, Riedel wine glasses are made in Austria and known for their extensive variety of wine glasses that can enhance different types of wine. The design of each glass is based on the physics of how the shape delivers the aroma and flavour to the wine drinker, engineering each rim diameter, the curve of the lip, and how far one needs to tip their head back to drink.
Krosno – renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and unique design by glasswork artists, Krosno wine glasses are one of the best in wine glass making. With nearly 100 years of experience, this Polish icon has become a household glassware brand worldwide.
Waterford – crafting luxury crystalware for centuries, Waterford crystal wine glasses are carefully made by master glassmakers and designers with decades of experience that has enabled Waterford to pave its way to becoming the pinnacle of luxury crystalware. Waterford wine glasses are all crafted in the heart of Waterford, Ireland.
Luigi Bormioli – creating outstanding sparkle for lead-free crystalware using traditional craftsmanship and modern glassmaking technology, Luigi Bormioli wine glasses are as clear as pure quartz for perfect wine colour efficiency.
Bormioli Rocco – as a distinguished leading Italian glassware brand since 1825, Bormioli Rocco wine glasses offer timeless and elegant pieces boasting high-quality standards that are well-made for entertaining and everyday use.
FAQs:
What is the difference between red and white wine glasses? White wine glasses generally have a smaller-sized bowl with a narrow aperture. This allows the tongue to form a U-shape and guides the liquid right down to the centre of your palate, avoiding the sides where acidity is often picked up. This glass type works well for any aromatic white wine apart from Chardonnay, which will require a wider-shaped bowl.
Red wine glasses, however, are the complete opposite. Generally, red wine glasses have a large surface area for a bowl. Most glasses also have a tapered rim or shape comparable to a broad teardrop to hold the aromas in the bowl. This is to alleviate the bitterness of tannin for a smoother-tasting wine.
Do you need specific wine glasses for pairing wine? There is a specific wine glass for every type of wine, so if you’re obsessed with wine, the answer is yes! But, if you’re an average-wine-loving drinker, we recommend getting your wine glasses in a set, preferably one for red and one for white wine. If you could only buy one set, splurge on a crystal wine glass set. Most may not even have the budget or capacity to own different fancy wine glasses or dessert wine glasses, and it's also impractical for an average person to spend that sort of money. The good news is that you’ll save plenty of space in your kitchen. Go for a good wine glass that will have a thin lip. In contrast, cheap wine glasses have thicker rims or may have a bump around the edge that obstructs the flow.
Do wine glasses really make a difference to taste? Yes, wine glasses do make a slight difference as they allow the wine to fully pick up every aroma. However, it also depends on the quality of the wine. Some argue that it is not the vessel but the wine that matters. No matter the glass, the best kind is a standard stemmed wine glass. Stemmed wine glasses are ideal for serving wine formally. The stem prevents your hands from touching the bulb of the glass, which could warm the wine.
Do you drink rosé out of a red or white wine glass? Rosé is best served in white wine glasses. The narrower bowls are usually the best, and the long stem will aid in maintaining the cool temperature.
What is the difference between lead crystal and lead-free crystal wine glass? The difference lies in its weight and sparkle when cut. Lead crystal glasses must typically have between 10% to 24% lead content to be considered crystal. You can find various types like crystal red wine glasses and crystal white wine glasses in the Australian market. Although similar in clarity, lead crystal is deemed a true crystal, whereas lead-free crystal is a brilliant type of glass that is slightly harder than lead crystal glass.
Lead crystal is also priced higher than regular lead-free crystal glass. This is due to lead crystals having a higher refractive index which means more brightness and a clearer appearance. Ultimately, it comes down to your preference and budget, whether you want crystal stemless wine glasses, lead-free crystal white wine glasses, or any other type of crystal wine glass.
Is a wine glass set a good gift to give someone? A good wine glass gift set makes the perfect housewarming or wedding gift for your loved ones. Wine glasses are elegant and often a classic option that never goes out of style. You can also opt for quirky ones like a big wine glass for a work colleague just for laughs, pink wine glasses for a bachelorette party, or coloured wine glasses for your loved ones to add to their wine collection.
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