A little wine glass education

I figured I better get a little more educated with all the different types of glasses, seeing as I like wine and cocktails and I want to enjoy it all to the max.

Here is some simple information for you to enjoy (preferably while sipping on some wine!).


A red wine glass bowl will be fuller and rounder with a larger opening to allow you to dip your nose into the glass to detect aroma. And, as mentioned above, the complex aromas and flavors of red wine demand a glass with a larger surface area so the wine comes in contact with more air.

For red wine, you may want both a Bordeaux and a Burgundy glass. A Bordeaux glass is taller, yet the bowl is not quite as large. It is designed for full bodied, heavier red wines such as Cabernets and Merlots. The tallness of the glass allows the wine to proceed directly to the back of the mouth to maximize its flavor.

A Burgundy glass is for lighter, full bodied wines such as Pinot Noir. It is not as tall, but the bowl is larger than the Bordeaux glass, directing the wine to the tip of the tongue to taste its more delicate flavors.



A white wine glass bowl will be more U shaped and upright allowing the aromas to be released while also maintaining a cooler temperature.
For white wine, you may also want two types of wine glasses, one for younger, crisp whites and one for more mature, fuller whites.

The wine glass for younger whites has a slightly larger opening directing the wine to the tip and sides of the tongue to taste its sweetness.

The glass for more mature whites will be straighter and taller to dispense the wine to the back and sides of the tongue to taste its bolder flavors.





A sparkling wine glass (or flute) will be upright and more narrow to retain the carbonation and capture the flavor in the beverage.





A dessert wine glass should be smaller to direct the wine to the back of the mouth so the sweetness doesn't overwhelm. Dessert wines generally have a higher alcohol content, making the small glass perfect for a smaller serving.

 
Wine Glasses for Dummies is also pretty good! Check it out here.