Choosing the right wine is an art form that has inspired movies, documentaries, and more than one argument at a wine bar. Choosing the right glass for the wine, however, is more often overlooked. In fact, using the right glass is an essential part to unlocking the ideal taste and sensation of your favorite wine.
Cabernet Glass:
Surprise! It’s not just called a “wine glass,” although the Cabernet glass is easily the most recognizable wine glass shape, as well as the most commonly used. This is due to its versatile shape, which works well with most red wines. Because of its straighter sides, it’s best suited for Cabernets. These help the wine aerate, reducing tannins and bringing out the depth of flavor of your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Bordeaux. Its design helps for free-breathing, rich wine flavor, so avoid pouring lighter whites into these glasses.
Champagne Glass:
No guesses as to what this one is for! Easily the most recognizable based on its shape, the champagne glass is traditionally tall and skinny, with a narrow flute that leans delicately inward. Its shape is designed to cradle the bubbles of champagne, prosecco, or other sparkling wine, allowing them to fizz up to the top, where they are preserved in a beautiful display of effervescence. As this ensures each sip is perfectly carbonated, it’s not just for appearances — although the end result is, undeniably, beautiful.
Chardonnay Glass:
With perhaps the largest mouth of any standard wine glass, the chardonnay glass lets all of your favorite chardonnay’s aromas loose, creating an aromatic glass that will delight multiple senses. This frees you to experience the incredible variety of flavors imparted into the vintage: from its acidity to its flavor balance, this wine glass will let you in on every element. While it's difficult to discern from the Pinot Noir glass visually, its shape enhances the spice of your chardonnay while retaining its fresh taste.
Pinot Noir Glass:
A good pinot noir is hard to find — and so is a good Pinot Noir glass. Beautifully balloon-shaped, these glasses swoop delicately around a central curve, allowing even the most subtle of flavor profiles to be opened up. It's the ideal shape for a sniff or a swirl of your vintage, as its bowl is beautifully rounded. The rim is drawn up tightly to present the bouquet you unveil, allowing you to take full advantage of your refined sense of smell. It's also a wonderful glass for burgundy or other reds in a pinch.
Sauvignon Blanc Glass:
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Ginot Grigio, even a Rosé — don't underestimate this glass by its name. Its delicate, tapered shape is just right for bringing out the complexities of even the lightest of wines. Straight sides make it easily distinguishable from your other glasses, although to the untrained eye, it may be mistaken for a smaller Cabernet glass. Don’t be fooled – this is the correct piece of glassware for your favorite light white.