How Does a Wine Glass Work?
How does a wine glass work? First, there are two types of wine glasses: stemmed and stemless.
A stemmed wine glass consists of three parts:
– Base: This is also called the foot; this part is necessary to keep the glass upright and stable.
– Stem: This is the functional part that you hold; it connects the base and the bowl.
– Bowl: This is the most important part as it holds the wine. Wine experts advise filling the wine to the widest point of the glass. This maximizes the wine’s contact with air as you need the space above the wine (up to the rim) to capture its aroma.
The aroma is collected in this “space” and you can swirl the wine around the glass, releasing its fragrance and allowing you to smell the wine. All of the above applies to stemmed glasses, while stemless glasses will not have a base or stem, but instead, they will have a flat bottom to place on a table.
These parts will vary depending on the type of glass, but the shape, size, and style of the bowl are the most important.
Different Types of Red Wine Glasses
Red wine glasses are typically taller and have a larger bowl than white wine glasses; this allows the wine to come into contact with more oxygen. Red wines tend to require more “opening up”; hence, the larger bowl helps the wine breathe more as the aroma and flavor are released.
Most glassware manufacturers offer region- and grape-specific wine glasses designed for particular wine styles. This is great if your preferred choice is a specific style or grape variety, but it won’t be ideal if you don’t have a particular wine that you usually go for. In this case, an “all-purpose” glass will be perfect, as these glasses of this shape are suitable for various wines.
Bordeaux/Cabernet/Merlot Red Wine Glass
This type of glass is the tallest and has a bowl designed to hold full-bodied red wines such as Bordeaux, Cabernet, and Merlot. The wide base and medium/large stem hold a large, tapered/closed bowl at the top.
This design allows for a significant amount of oxygen to come into contact with the wine; ethanol evaporates. The wider opening makes the wine taste smoother, bringing out fruity flavors.
Syrah/Shiraz/Sangiovese/Malbec Red Wine Glass
This glass is shorter than the previous one and has a smaller bowl. It is designed for medium to full-bodied red wines. The intense flavors are mellowed as the wine gradually hits your palate from the smaller opening. The narrower bowl tends to be slightly tapered, helping to retain the aroma.
Burgundy/Pinot Noir Red Wine Glass
The widest and shortest red wine glass commonly used is designed for Burgundy and Pinot Noir. The shorter stem and wider bowl help collect more intense aromas and direct the flavors to the right part of your tongue. Hence, the larger surface area clearly allows for more oxygen to come into contact with the wine.
Types of White Wine Glasses
White wine glasses are usually shorter and have a smaller bowl than red wine glasses; this allows the wine to come closer to your nose as the aroma is much more delicate.
Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling White Wine Glass
Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling wines are usually served in the same style and shape of glass. The long, middle stem and narrow bowl will taper slightly; the bowl is often thinner and holds less wine than a red wine glass. The smaller bowl also helps to easily detect the concentration of flavors in the wine while minimizing the amount of oxygen in the glass.
Chardonnay White Wine Glass
The glasses designed for Chardonnay are the opposite of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. The Chardonnay glass has a large bowl, similar to the Burgundy/Pinot Noir glass, but slightly smaller and with a much shorter stem. This larger bowl creates a larger surface area, ideal for full-bodied white wines such as oak-aged Chardonnay.
All-Purpose Wine Glass
This is a great idea for those who want to save space in their kitchen cabinets and don’t require all the different shapes. An all-purpose wine glass will be perfect for those who drink both red and white wines, as well as different styles of both.
