Choosing the Right Wine Glass

The prospect of selecting the right glass for the right wine can be a challenge if you’re uninitiated in the world of wine. In general, wine glasses are categorized as Red Wine Glasses, White Wine Glasses or Champagne Glasses, but among enthusiasts, these broader categories can be broken down even further.

For example, the broader category of “Red Wine Glass” can include Bordeaux Glasses, Pinot Noir Glasses, Beaujolais Glasses and even Chianti Glasses. With seemingly infinite variations in style and pattern, lines quickly become blurred and it’s easy to get hung up on wine glass classification.

When making a decision for your tabletop, it’s helpful to know about the basic form and function of the most popular wine glass patterns. Wine glasses are almost always formed with a stem, a foot and a bowl. Wine is served in stemware, primarily to prevent the transfer of body heat from hand to beverage.

The shape of the bowl serves additional functions:

• Narrower bowl: helps maintain serving temperature of chilled wine
• Narrower openings: concentrates the aroma of wine just below the nose
• Wider bowl and opening: allows for maximum oxidation, believed to enhance flavor and aroma
• Taper or curve: delivers wine to that part of the tongue where the beverage will be most enjoyed

A little knowledge and some common sense helps when making a decision. But remember that just as oenophiles may differ on the best wine and food pairings, so too can they differ on the best wine and glass pairings. Don’t forget to give a nod to personal preference and style when selecting the best wine glass for your holiday table.