How to choose (and use) your wine glass
A wine glass is more than just a container. Its shape concentrates or disperses aromas, alters the perception of acidity and tannins, and radically changes what you experience on the nose. The same wine in two different glasses can provide two very distinct experiences — and often, one is significantly better than the other. Here is what you need to know to choose correctly, without breaking the bank.
Why does the shape of the glass change the wine?
It all comes down to the geometry of the glass. A wide-bowled glass concentrates aromas in the upper section thanks to the large evaporation surface — but if the opening is too wide, the aromas disperse before reaching your nose. A glass with a tapered opening channels aromas toward the center, but can also accentuate acidity and alcohol. The balance between the bowl (the evaporation surface) and the rim (the concentration of aromas) defines a glass's "character."
The height of the glass also plays a role: a taller glass allows the heavier aromas (dried fruits, spices, wood) to settle at the bottom, while lighter aromas (florals, fresh fruit) rise. By tilting the glass slightly toward you before smelling, you are essentially choosing which aromas you want to capture.
The main types of wine glasses
There are dozens of glass shapes, but the essentials come down to a few main families:
- Burgundy-style red wine glass: wide, round bowl, slightly tapered opening. Ideal for complex reds and orange wines — it concentrates aromas well while leaving space for them to evolve. It is often the best all-purpose choice.
- Bordeaux-style red wine glass: taller and straighter than the Burgundy, with a less wide bowl. Adapted for more tannic and structured reds. The higher opening directs the wine toward the center of the tongue rather than the sides, which softens the perception of tannins.
- White wine glass: smaller and narrower than red wine glasses, to maintain the wine's freshness longer and concentrate delicate aromas. A white wine in a red wine glass that is too large will quickly lose its freshness, and its aromas will evaporate too fast.
- Champagne flute: tall and narrow, it concentrates bubbles and aromas in the central axis. Practical for light bubbles, less suitable for complex natural sparkling wines that deserve a wider glass.
- Universal glass: an honest compromise between a Burgundy and a white wine glass. Suitable for almost all styles of wine. If you only want to buy one type of glass, this is the one.
Natural wine: which glass should you choose?
Natural wines are often more expressive and complex than their conventional equivalents. They deserve a glass that gives them space:
- Light natural red wines (Gamay, Pinot Noir, Trousseau): a Burgundy-style glass or a large universal glass. The generous opening lets fruity and floral aromas express themselves without compressing them.
- Natural white wines: a white wine glass of a decent size (not too small). Avoid water glasses or overly narrow tulip glasses that block the aromas.
- Orange wines: a Burgundy-style glass or a large universal glass — exactly the same as for reds. The tannins and aromatic complexity of an orange wine unfold better in a large glass. To learn more about orange wines, our guide orange wine: what exactly is it? covers the topic in detail.
- Natural sparkling wines (pét-nat): forget the flute. A universal glass or a small Burgundy glass showcases the complexity of a natural sparkling wine much better than the flute, which concentrates bubbles too much and masks the aromas.
Should you invest in expensive glasses?
No, not necessarily. A well-chosen $8-12 glass is better than a $50 glass with a poor shape. What matters: the glass must be thin (not thick like a coffee glass), colorless (to see the wine's color), and have the right geometry for the style. Large brands like Riedel, Zalto, or Lehmann offer excellent but expensive glasses. Alternatives like those from IKEA (STORSINT series) or accessible French brands offer very good value for money.
The main enemy of a good glass: high-temperature dishwashers, which can cloud the glass and leave it smelling like detergent. Wash your wine glasses by hand, using warm water without detergent (or very little), and let them air dry, upside down on a clean cloth.
How to use your glass correctly
A few habits that really change the experience:
- Hold the glass by the stem, not the bowl. The heat from your hand warms the wine and leaves marks on the glass that interfere with observing the wine's color.
- Only fill to a maximum of one-third. The glass must have space for aromas to accumulate in the upper section. A glass filled to the brim concentrates nothing.
- Swirl the wine before smelling, in small, steady circles on the table or by holding the stem. Agitation releases the aromas trapped in the wine. Smell immediately after.
- Rinse the glass with a little of the wine you are tasting before filling it, if you have just taken it out of the cupboard. A glass that has retained a slight smell of the cupboard or linens can interfere with your tasting.
Frequently asked questions about wine glasses
Is a crystal glass really better than an ordinary glass?
Crystal is thinner and lighter, which improves the tactile experience. Its slight microscopic roughness (due to lead oxide or barium in modern lead-free crystal) also promotes bubbles in sparkling wines and micro-oxygenation in still wines. But the difference remains subtle — a good mouth-blown ordinary glass can absolutely compete with crystal for daily use.
Can you use the same glass for red and white wine?
Yes, that is the principle of the universal glass. A good versatile universal glass (like Riedel Performance or an accessible equivalent) works for whites, light reds, orange wines, and sparkling wines. The major service differences between red and white relate more to temperature than the glass.
Should you rinse the glass between two wines during a tasting?
Yes, if the wines are very different (a tannic red followed by a delicate white, for example). Rinsing with clear water is enough — no need for soap. For a tasting of similar wines (several natural reds, several orange wines), simply emptying the remainder is often enough. To go further in your tasting, our guide how to taste natural wine provides all the basics.