Wine Glasses

Whether sweet or dry, white or red, robust or light, wine requires very specific serving procedures in order to reach its full flavor potential. In addition to proper serving temperatures, each type of wine requires a specific style of glass for service. To get the most out of your wine collection, browse through the links below to choose the ideal wine glass for your needs.

Shop All Wine Glasses
Red Wine Glasses White Wine Glasses
Burgundy GlassBurgundy
pinot noir glassPinot
Noir
bordeaux glassBordeaux
cabernet sauvignon glassCabernet
Sauvignon
standard red glassStandard
Red
sauvignon blancSauvignon
Blanc
montrachet glassMontrachet
chardonnay glassChardonnay
riesling glassRiesling
Sweet
Dessert Wine Glasses Sparkling Wine Glasses Rose Glasses All-Purpose Glasses
port glassPort
sherry glassSherry
vintage and couple glassVintage
and Coupe
tulip glassTulip
flute glassFlute
young rose glassYoung Rose
mature rose glassMature Rose
glass with stemWith Stem
stemless glassStemless
Two glasses of champagne on a table with a stem of leaves in the background
Anatomy of a Wine Glass

A wine glass is composed of four parts – the base, the stem, the bowl, and the rim. The base is what gives the glass its stability. From there, the stem elongates the glass while giving the customer something to hold on to without raising the temperature of the wine within. It also prevents fingerprints from getting on the bowl of the glass.

Atop the stem sits the bowl. The bowl is arguably the most important feature of the glass. It should be large enough to comfortably swirl the wine without spilling or splashing it, and it should be tapered to retain and concentrate the aroma of the wine. Full-bodied red wines need room to breathe and to release their aroma; therefore, a larger bowl is needed when serving these wines. Conversely, white wines are typically served in smaller glasses, ones that are shaped like a "U" and narrower than a red wine glass. This gives the wine enough room for the aromas to be released but also helps in maintaining the cooler temperature of the white wines. Finally, flutes are often used to serve sparkling wines, as they help the bubbles last longer.

The uppermost part of the bowl is where the rim lies. A thinner rim is less distracting to drinkers as they sip their wine, and a smooth rim will not impede the wine as it flows from glass to mouth. Thicker, rounder rims are the sign of a cheaply made glass, and while the glasses serve their purpose, they may be more distracting to the drinker.

Wine Glass Types Chart
Below is a chart showing you which type of wine glass to serve with various types of wine.

Types of Wine Glasses Chart
What is a Standard Pour of Wine?
There is no legal measure for a standard pour of wine, however, in the restaurant industry, it falls somewhere around the 5 oz. mark. This allows a sommelier or host to get about 5 glasses out of any 750 mL bottle of wine. Some restaurants will pour as much as 6 oz. and some may offer less, depending on the price of the wine. Some glasses have pour lines printed on them, for a precise pour every time.

For tastings, a standard pour falls around 2 oz., enough to properly smell and taste the wine without initiating a buzz too quickly. Similarly, dessert wines are usually served in 2 oz. pours since they are much sweeter and higher in alcohol than other types of wines.

The size of the glass also plays into how much wine is poured at a time. A smaller glass will make it seem like there's more wine, whereas a big balloon glass will make even a generous pour look light. Sparkling wine is often served in 5-6 oz. servings, like white or red wine, but it might look like a smaller pour because of the shape of the flute. It's important not to overfill a wine glass, as the extra space in the glass is there intentionally, to hold aromas.

Learn how to open a bottle of wine using the proper corkscrew for the job.
Crystal vs. Glass Wine Glasses
Below we go through the differences between crystal and glass, so you can choose the best material for your needs.

What is the Difference Between Glass and Crystal?
All crystal is glass, but not all glass is crystal. In general, the lead content of glass determines whether it is classified as glass or crystal. The presence of lead softens the glass in crystal, making it more easily cut and engraved. Unlike traditional glass, crystal is heavier and diffracts light. In traditional lead glassware, the lead has a tendency to leach out of the crystal. To combat this, today's crystal glassware is typically unleaded.

When deciding between crystal and glass, consider the environment in which the wine glass will be used and your washing situation. You may choose to purchase some of each, so you can use either glass in the correct situation depending on your needs.

Crystal Wine Glasses
Burgundy Wine Glass
Crystal wine glasses enhance the aromas in wine and offer an elegant design, making them perfect for high-end dining rooms and formal events.