How To Choose The Perfect Wine Glass
Scientific evidence suggests that some wine glasses perform better than others. That being said, which wine glasses are best for you? You can drink wine from any vessel, whether a wine glass, a coffee mug, a mason jar, or a dixie cup. You can skip the glass and drink straight from the bottle if you want to.
However, using the correct glass enhances the flavour of the wine and does not have to break the bank.
The Importance of Using the Correct Glass
There are numerous wine glasses, but the basic shape remains the same. No proof supports the significance of the glass stem. Images captured with a special camera by A Japanese medical group demonstrated how different glass shapes affected the position and density of vapours at the openings of glasses with different shapes in their study.
Why are vapours essential? They transport aromatic compounds into your nose. The vast majority of flavours in wine are produced by aromatic compounds.
Why are there so many different wine glasses?
Among the many available, some shapes of wine glasses are better for enjoying certain types of wine. It doesn’t really matter whether your glass has a stem or not. It’s all about how the vessel’s shape collects aromas and deposits wine into your mouth.
The primary glass shapes are summarised below, along with the wines performing well in these shapes.
Before we begin…those short stemmed supermarket glasses that you fill to the brim aren’t really wine glasses, are they? They’re called hipster cups. The space above the wine is where aromas collect, and with enough room there, you can truly savour your wine.
Glasses for White Wine
In general, white wine glasses are smaller than red wine glasses. This design keeps flowery smells while still keeping the temperature cool.
Glasses for Full Bodied Whites
Full-bodied whites, such as Chardonnay, are served in glasses with a bowl that is smaller than that of a red wine glass but larger than that of a light-bodied white wine glass. This contour is excellent for collecting aromatic vapour.
Light-Bodied White Wine Glasses
White wine glasses with a light body are the smallest of the lot.
Their thin form helps to keep the wine cool.
Glasses for Red Wine
A red wine glass can help reduce the bitterness of tannin or spicy flavours, resulting in a smoother-tasting wine.
After tasting wines from different glasses for several years, we’ve discovered that red wines taste smoother from a glass with a wide opening. Of course, the distance between you and the fluid influences what you smell.
The Large “Bordeaux” Glass
This glass shape complements bolder red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Cape Blends. Because it is farther away from the nose, it delivers more aroma compounds than ethanol burn. The increased surface area allows ethanol to evaporate to enable a smoother taste.
The Standard Red Wine Glass
This glass is suitable for medium- to full-bodied red wines with a high alcohol content or spicy notes.
Spice is mellowed because flavours gradually hit your tongue due to the smaller opening. With this glass, try Malbec or Shiraz.
The “Bourgogne” / Aroma Collector Glass
This is an excellent choice for lighter, more delicate red wines with subtle aromas. The large round bowl aids in the collection of all the aromas. Try this glass shape with Pinotage or Cinsaut.
Come and experience the magic of Bellevue, a wine tasting farm located in Stellenbosch! Our beautiful estate is nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Cape Winelands region, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in our exquisite selection of wines. We offer a variety of tastings for all guests, with choices ranging from Estate wines, to blends and more. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you in selecting the perfect bottle of wine for any occasion.
