Wine glasses for different types of wine

Types of Red Wine Glasses

The three most common shapes are tailored to the body and tannin levels of different grape varieties. 

Bordeaux Glass (Full-Bodied Reds): This is the tallest red wine glass with a broad bowl and a gently tapered rim. Its height creates distance between the wine and your nose, allowing ethanol to evaporate so you smell fruit and spice instead of alcohol "heat"

Best for: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux Blends, and Syrah.

Burgundy Glass (Light-Bodied Reds): Features the widest bowl of any wine glass, often described as balloon-shaped. The extra width provides a massive surface area to collect the subtle, delicate aromas of thin-skinned grapes. It typically directs wine to the tip of the tongue to highlight sweetness.

Best for: Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, and Gamay.

Medium-Bodied / "Standard" Red Glass: Smaller than a Bordeaux glass with a narrower opening, designed to deliver wine progressively to the palate to soften spicy notes.

Best for: Zinfandel, Malbec, Shiraz, and Chianti.

 

Types of White Wine Glasses

Different white wines have unique characteristics that benefit from specific bowl shapes and rim diameters. 

Sauvignon Blanc / High-Acid Glass: These feature a tall, slender bowl with a slightly tapered rim. This design directs the wine toward the front of the palate to highlight zesty acidity and citrus notes while preserving fresh, delicate aromas.

Best for: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, and Albariño.

Chardonnay / Full-Bodied Glass: These have a larger, wider bowl and a wider opening, similar to a smaller version of a Burgundy glass. The extra space allows bolder whites to breathe, accentuating creamy, buttery textures and complex, oak-aged flavors.

Best for: Oaked Chardonnay, Viognier, and White Burgundy.

Riesling Glass: Typically the smallest and most tapered white wine glass. The narrow opening helps balance sweetness and acidity by directing the wine toward the back of the mouth, preventing the sugar from overwhelming the palate.

Best for: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Muscat.

 

Types of Sparkling Wine Glasses

Tulip Glass (Expert's Choice): This is widely considered the ideal glass for high-quality sparkling wine. It features a wider bowl that tapers at the rim, which captures the complex "brioche" and "stone fruit" aromas of aged Champagnes while still maintaining a steady stream of bubbles.

Champagne Flute (Traditional & Festive): Its tall, narrow shape minimizes surface area, which keeps the wine fizzy for longer and showcases the visual "train" of bubbles. However, the small opening restricts your ability to smell the wine's nuances.

Coupe Glass (Vintage & Glamorous): A wide, shallow saucer-style glass popular in the mid-20th century. While visually striking for parties, its large surface area causes bubbles and aromas to dissipate very quickly.

White Wine Glass (Practical Utility): Many sommeliers use standard white wine glasses for sparkling wine because the larger bowl allows the wine to "breathe" like any other fine wine.