Different Types of Wine Glasses

There are several types of wine glasses, each designed to serve different wine styles. Many glassware manufacturers sell wine glasses made specifically for a certain grape or region. Others make wine glasses for all types of wine. Generally speaking, red wines should be served in a Bordeaux glass, which is the tallest of all wine glasses and has a large bowl and a medium to large stem. Here's a guide to the different types of wine glasses.

White wines do not require as much breathing space as red wines. White wines need a smaller bowl to better express their aromas, so these glasses typically have longer stems. These glasses also help to prevent wine from warming by the hand of the drinker. While white wines can be served in either glass, white wine glasses are recommended to keep them at a cooler temperature, so they are typically served with longer stems. The longer stems will also keep the drinker's hand farther away from the bowl, reducing the risk of warming the wine.

The bowl is the most important part of a wine glass, since it defines the type of wine being served. Some bowls feature designs, while others don't. Some people believe that different shapes of bowls will alter the taste and smell of a wine. That's why it's important to choose the right glass for your particular wine. The stem isn't the most important part of the wine glass, but it does play a vital role in the experience of drinking wine.

Red wine glasses are generally shaped like a cylinder. This gives the drinker more room to smell the aromas and taste. White wine glasses, on the other hand, have narrow bowls and are suited for subtly aromatic white wines. While the spheres of white wine glasses are designed to preserve the color and aroma of the wine, they also allow the drinker to see the viscosity and texture of the wine.