The Shape of Wine Glasses

The choice of a wine glass is really a matter of personal choice, but there are certain factors to take into consideration if you want to get the best out of wine.

To get the most out of the aroma and the flavor, the glass needs to be completely free from detergent as it often leaves a film which can affect the wine. When tasting wine in the correct way and to ensure an accurate assessment of a wine's appearance, the glass needs to be clear and colorless. In order to swill the wine to release its aromas, the glass should be narrower at the top and filled only a third of the way up to avoid any spillage. This also helps retain the wine's aroma in the glass.

Generally, red wine glasses are larger then those for white wine, allowing the wine to breathe and fully release its aromas.

Sparkling Wines
The flute is the traditional glass of choice. The shape is slightly conical, lengthening the time it takes to fill the glass.

White Wines
Almost never aged, white wines can be served in a glass with a wide or narrow aperture: a narrower aperture helps to concentrate the wine©^s bouquet. A tulip is often an ideal choice for whites.

Rosé Wines
Sweeter that whites and fuller in aroma, rosé are best appreciated from a glass with a slightly flared rim, which delivers their sweetness to the tip of the tongue.

Red Wines
For reds, always use a glass with a wide bowl. Be careful not to fill the glass more than a third: this allows the wine to aerate, while increasing its bouquet. This aeration is essential for big reds like Barolos and Brunellos.

Dessert Wines
Always use a small glass with a small aperture to help concentrate the rich aromas of these wines. The old favorite is the sherry "copita": it is filled two-thirds of the way so as to better release the wine's aroma.