Selecting a wine glass can be quite confusing and daunting. Admittedly there are a lot of choices out there. From tall and short, large and small capacity glasses, the list goes on! But did you know the types of glass can affect the taste of the wine, too? According to wine connoisseurs, if you pour red wine into a white wine glass- the magic of red wine will go away.
However, before you discover the various types of crystal wine glasses for drinking, you must know how a wine glass functions and what are its main features.
Features and Functionality Of a Wine Glass
There are three parts to every stemmed wine glass:
- Base: This is also referred to as the foot; this part is required to keep the wine glass standing and stable.
- Stem: This is the functional part that the user holds (very important!); it keeps the base and the bowl together.
- Bowl: This part is the most important; this holds the wine. Filling the glass to the widest point of the bowl is recommended; this maximises the wine’s contact with the air, as you need space above the wine to collect the aromas.
Different Types of White Wine Glasses
White wine glasses are generally smaller in height and bowl size when compared with red wine glasses; this allows the wine to be in closer contact with your nose as the aromas are much lighter.
1. Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling White Wine Glasses: Generally, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling wines can be served in the same style and shape glass. The mid-long stem and the narrow bowl will taper in slightly; the bowl is usually thinner and has less capacity than red wine glasses. The smaller bowl makes it easier to detect the concentration of aromas in the wine whilst minimising the amount of oxygen in the glass.
2. Chardonnay White Wine Glasses: Glasses designed for Chardonnay are predominately the complete opposite of the above Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Chardonnay glasses have a large bowl, similar to that of the Burgundy / Pinot Noir, but slightly smaller and feature a much shorter stem. This larger bowl allows for a big surface area to be created, ideal for full-bodied white wines such as oak-aged Chardonnay.
3. All-round or Universal Wine Glasses: These are an excellent idea for someone looking to save space in their kitchen cupboards and don’t require all the varying shapes. For a user who likes a tipple of both red and white and different styles of both varieties, a universal all-around glass would be ideal.
