Every wine glass is comprised of three different parts:  the bowl, the stem, and the base.  The base allows the glass to stand up, and the stem allows you to hold the glass without warming the wine or smudging the glass.  The most imperative, though, is the bowl—designed specifically to allow the appropriate amount of surface area for the wine you are drinking.  Generally speaking, white wine does not need to breathe as much as its red counterpart and thus white wine glasses are taller with narrower openings whereas red wine glasses are designed with a larger surface area, allowing the wine to “breathe.”

White wine glasses typically come in two shapes. Both are tall, u-shaped, and upright to help maintain the optimal cooler serving temperatures.  But younger whites, such as a crisp sauvignon blanc, require a slightly larger opening to direct the wine to the tips and sides of the tongue to allow the drinker to taste its sweetness.  More mature whites, as in a buttery chardonnay, necessitate a straight and tall glass, dispensing the wine to the back of the tongue so that its bolder flavors are sensed.

Red wine glasses are, as mentioned, fuller and rounder to allow one to dip their nose in and smell the complexities of the bouquet as the wine comes into contact with the air.  A Bordeaux glass is taller, with a slightly smaller bowl, and is designed for full-bodied red wines such as cabernet or merlot—the tall glass sends the wine directly to the back of your mouth to maximize its flavor.  The more delicate flavors of lighter red wines—think Pinot Noir—require a larger bowl to direct the wine toward the tip of the tongue.

When drinking sparkling wines, the intent is to capture the flavor while retaining the carbonation and keeping the fluid as cold as possible for as long as possible.  Fluted glasses with long stems are optimal for the enjoyment of your favorite bubbly.

Dessert wines are slightly higher in alcohol content so serving them in small glasses is ideal.  Additionally, smaller glasses direct the wine to the back of the mouth, slightly quelling its sweetness.

Practically speaking, it may be difficult to offer a glass style for every wine provided, either in your home or in your restaurant.  A general suggestion, then, would be to make sure you have flutes on hand for sparkling wines, and some sort of all-purpose red wine glass as well as an all-purpose white glass.  Or at the very least, choose a single glass with a bowl shape between that of a red and white wine glass so that it acceptable to use no matter the drink preference of your diner.

As for the material of a wine glass, the favorable choice is crystal or blown glass because the glass is thin, as is the rim, so as not to inhibit the flow of the wine you are drinking.  While designs on wine glasses can be fun, clear and smooth is preferred because it allows one to appreciate the legs of the wine, how the light affects the color, and the clarity and texture of the wine being tasted.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, how you clean your wine glasses matters.  Hand washing in hot water only is the preferred method of cleaning, as it does best at preventing soap build-up.  However, if you must use soap, remember that less is more when washing your wine glasses.

Drinking wine should be a pleasure, and while good wine is a pleasure in and of itself, pairing it with the appropriate glass can intensify your wine tasting experience.  Whether red wine, white wine, or sparkling wine is your drink of choice, give the optimal glass choice a try and see if you notice a difference.

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