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Wine glasses are a type of glass stemware used to taste and drink wine. The selection of an appropriate glass for a particular style of wine is important, as the glass shape can influence the perception of the wine within it.
Wine glasses generally comprise three parts: the bowl, the stem and the foot. The stem, as important a part as it is, is the most ignored. The proper way to drink from a wine glass is by holding the stem. The purpose of this is so that the temperature of the wine is not affected, as the stem is not in direct contact with the wine. Holding a glass by its stem also allows for easier swirling of the liquid within, and better release of its aromas. The shape of the glass is also important as it concentrates the flavours and bouquets of the wine to emphasise the characteristics of its particular varietal or varietals.
Wine glasses made of cut glass or fused glass will often interfere with the flavour of wine, and drinking from a glass with a rough or thick lip will also not be as pleasant. Thus, blown glass results in a better vessel from which to enjoy wine.
Except for the wine connoisseur, wine glasses can be divided into three main types, namely red wine glasses, white wine glasses and champagne flutes.
Glasses for red wine are characterised by their round, wide bowl, which gives the wine a chance to breathe. Most red wines are meant to be consumed at room temperature, and a wider bowl allows the wine to cool more quickly after hand contact has warmed it. Within the genre of red wine glasses one finds particular styles, such as Bordeaux glasses or Burgundy glasses. The Bordeaux glass is tall with a wide bowl, and is designed for fuller-bodied reds such as Cabernet or Merlot. A Burgundy glass is larger than a Bordeaux, and has a larger bowl to better accumulate aromas of more delicate reds such as Pinot Noir.
White wine glasses are generally narrower, although not as narrow as champagne flutes, with somewhat straight or tulip-shaped sides. The narrowness of the white wine glass allows the chilled wine to retain its temperature for two reasons: the reduced surface area of the glass means less air circulating around the glass and warming the fluid within it; and the smaller bowl means less contact between the hand and the glass.
Champagne flutes are characterised by long stems and have tall, narrow bowls perched on top. This shape keeps sparkling wine desirable during consumption. The glass is designed to be held by the stem to avoid the transference of heat, and the warming of the liquid in the glass, while the bowl helps retain the carbonation of the beverage, as the surface area is greatly reduced.
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