Sure, you can totally drink wine out of a Red Solo Cup, a coffee cup, or whatever, but if you actually want to taste the wine and consume it the way it was meant to be consumed, drink it out of the “correct” wine glass! It really does help maximize your wine drinking experience.

But, why? Here we go…

Shape of the Glass

Did you know aromatic compounds are responsible for producing the vast majority of flavors in wine? The curve of a wine glass concentrates the aroma of the wine and makes it more intense. More aroma means a bolder flavor!

Another note about aroma: Don’t fill your wine glass to the top if you want to get the full taste. You need space above the wine in the glass to collect aromas!

White Wine

White wine glasses are smaller, because white wine is meant to drink chilled (a majority of the time), and smaller portions stay cooler longer.

Red Wine

Within red wine, there are also actually a few different glasses, depending on varietal (because, of course there are…)

Large “Cab” Glass

This glass shape is best with bolder red wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, or Bordeaux Blends, because it minimizes the burn of ethanol in the aroma, as the wine farther from nose, and the larger surface area allows the ethanol evaporate quicker. The wider opening also makes the wines taste smoother.

“Standard” Glass

Try wines with spicy notes or high alcohol content from these glasses, like Zinfandel, Malbec, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. The spice is softened in this glass because there’s a smaller opening so flavors hit your tongue more progressively.

“Aroma Collector” Glass

This glass is for delicate red wines, like Pinot Noir, Gamay, or Nebbiolo. The large round bowl helps collect the aromas and directs the wine to the tip of the tongue to taste the delicate flavors.

Rosé

Proper rosé glasses have a flared rim which directs wine to the top of the tongue, to temper acidity, and a moderate width to emphasize the fruity aspects. However, since rosés are fairly similar in fermentation process as white wines, the use of a white wine glass or a “Standard” red wine glass works, too!

Champagne

The champagne flute is tall and skinny because this shape helps keep the wine carbonated. With less surface area exposed to the air, the bubbles can’t escape as quickly — and aren’t bubbles the reason we all drink champagne?

Port

The small size and narrow mouth of the traditional Port (dessert wine) glass directs the wine to the back of the mouth so the sweetness doesn’t overwhelm, and it keeps the alcohol vapors under control — as Port traditionally has very high alcohol content. (It also helps you drink less of this sweet wine!)

Stemless

Stemless glasses are often convenient, but the reason wine glasses have stems is because the stem is where you should hold your glass. When you hold the bowl, the heat from your hand warms up the wine quicker. There’s no choice but to hold the bowl with stemless glasses, so just be careful — warm wine isn’t delicious…

However you drink your wine, I hope you enjoy!

Cheers!

 

“Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.”
― Andre Simon

 

SOURCES:
Food & Wine
Wine Enthusiast
Wine Folly
Saveur