Which wine glasses go with which wine?
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Not every wine glass suits every wine. The shape and size of a glass influence how a wine smells and tastes. A Pinot Noir is best enjoyed in a different glass than a Cabernet Sauvignon, and champagne requires a completely different glass than white wine. Knowing which glass goes with which wine allows you to get more out of each bottle, without needing an extensive set of glassware.
Red wine: large and round
Red wine glasses have a large, round bowl that provides maximum aeration. This softens the tannins in red wine and allows the aromas to develop. But even within the category of red wine glasses, there are differences.
For full-bodied, tannin-rich red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, a tall, wide glass with straight sides is most suitable. This type of glass is also known as a Bordeaux glass. The straight sides direct the wine to the middle of the tongue, where the taste is best perceived.
For lighter, fruitier red wines like Pinot Noir and Gamay, a bulbous, wide glass with a narrower opening is better. This type is known as a Burgundy glass. The bulbous shape captures the subtle aromas of light red wines and presents them concentrated to the nose.
For everyday use, a universal red wine glass that works reasonably well for both styles suffices. The Amore wine glasses from Mémoire have a bowl capacity of 450 ml and are suitable as a universal red wine glass due to their round bowl shape.
White wine: narrower and more tapered
White wine glasses are smaller than red wine glasses and have a narrower, more tapered bowl. This narrower shape keeps white wine cooler for longer and directs the fresh aromas upwards in a concentrated manner. There are also differences in white wine glasses depending on the wine style.
Full-bodied, oak-aged white wines like a Chardonnay or a white Burgundy benefit from a slightly wider glass with a more spacious bowl. This gives the wine more room to breathe and present its complex aromas. Fresh, light white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling are better served in a narrower, taller glass that directs the fresh acidity and fruity aromas upwards in a concentrated manner.
Champagne and sparkling wine: the flute
Champagne and other sparkling wines belong in a flute: a narrow, tall glass with a small opening. The narrow shape keeps the bubbles intact longer because there is little surface area for the carbon dioxide to escape. The rising column of bubbles in a clean flute is not only beautiful to behold, but it also indicates that the glass is clean and grease-free.
A coupe model, the wide, shallow champagne glass, has a retro look but is less practical. Bubbles escape quickly, and the wine warms up faster. For those who want to truly enjoy champagne at its best, a flute is the better choice. View the champagne glasses in Mémoire's wine glass collection.
Rosé: white wine glass or universal glass
Rosé does not have its own glass type. A white wine glass or a universal wine glass works well for most rosé wines. Light, fresh rosés are best served in a narrower white wine glass that directs the fruity aromas upwards. Fuller, more structured rosés, such as a Provençal rosé with a bit more body, can also be poured into a slightly larger universal glass.
Dessert wine and port: a smaller glass
Dessert wines and port are served in smaller glasses because the portions are smaller and the wine is more intense in flavour. A port glass has a bowl capacity of about 100 to 150 ml and a narrower opening that presents the intense, sweet aromas in a concentrated manner. Pouring dessert wine into a large red wine glass also works, but the intensity of the aromas is then partly lost in the large bowl space.
Overview: which glass for which wine
| Wine type | Glass type | Bowl capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Full-bodied red wine (Cabernet, Merlot) | Bordeaux glass | 500 to 600 ml |
| Light red wine (Pinot Noir, Gamay) | Burgundy glass | 400 to 500 ml |
| Full-bodied white wine (Chardonnay) | Wide white wine glass | 350 to 400 ml |
| Crisp white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling) | Narrow white wine glass | 300 to 350 ml |
| Champagne and sparkling wine | Champagne flute | 150 to 250 ml |
| Rosé | White wine glass or universal glass | 300 to 400 ml |
| Port and dessert wine | Port glass | 100 to 150 ml |
Do you need a different glass for every wine?
No. For everyday use, a universal wine glass that works reasonably well for most wine types suffices. A universal glass has a bowl large enough for red wine but narrow enough to keep white wine cool. Those who want to go a bit further can opt for two sets: a set of red wine glasses and a set of white wine glasses. Those who drink champagne regularly can add a set of flutes.
You can read more about how many wine glasses you need in your home in how many wine glasses you need at home. And for tips on the most beautiful wine glasses, read the most beautiful wine glasses.
Combining wine glasses with a carafe
The right glass works even better in combination with a carafe. Red wine that has breathed in a decanter tastes rounder and is at a better temperature when poured into the glass. View Mémoire's decanter collection and carafe collection for models that combine well with the wine glasses in the range.
