Before our favorite home goods stores came along, people had to get creative when it came to carrying and drinking wine.
In medieval Spain, shepherds and soldiers used bota bags made of goatskin to bring their wine with them. And throughout the ancient world, winemakers stored the fruitage of their labors in clay earthenware vessels.
Fast forward a few millennia, where all you have to do is Google “different types of wine glasses” and get a dizzying number of options.
Are you wondering which types of glasses belong in your liquor cabinet at home? Here are the most popular types of wine glasses available today.
Red Wine Glasses
Red wine glasses are the largest types of wine glasses. They feature a big bowl and wide opening to allow the wine to come into contact with more air. In turn, this helps to release the wine’s aromas and smooth out the flavors.
Here are some different types of red wine glasses to choose from, depending on which types of wine you normally drink:
- Standard red wine glass: medium-bodied wines like Malbec, Chianti, or Merlot
- Cabernet wine glass: Cabernet Sauvignon or other full-bodied reds
- Bordeaux wine glass: any heavy, full-bodied wine like Petit Syrah or Bordeaux blends
- Burgundy wine glass: lighter, delicate reds like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais
Pro tip: Red wine glasses tend to be the tallest and most fragile types of glasses, so you’ll need to handle them with care. Wash and dry them by hand or consider a dishwasher for wine glasses to protect your investment.
White Wine Glasses
White wine glasses tend to have a smaller bowl than red wine glasses. This helps to keep the wine cooler and creates less oxidation so there’s no interference with the wine’s taste.
Here are some common types to consider:
- Sauvignon Blanc glass: light to medium-bodied fruity whites like Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc
- Chardonnay wine glass: heavier, fuller-bodied whites like Viognier or Semillon
- Riesling wine glass: sweeter wines like Riesling or Zinfandel
Of course, there are also standard white wine glasses that are suitable for everyday drinking.
Other Types of Wine Glasses
To round out your liquor cabinet, consider some fun additions such as:
- Narrow, slender Champagne flutes for sparkling wines
- Tulip wine glasses that flare at the top and bottom (also good for sparkling wines)
- Short, broad Coupe glasses with a vintage 1920s flair
- Tiny dessert wine glasses for after-dinner sipping
- Stemless wine glasses that double as tumblers for mixed drinks
As you can see, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing wine glasses. You could stick with a few all-purpose glasses or fill your cabinet with glasses for every occasion — the choice is up to you!
Host a Wine Tasting Night in Your Home
If you want to host a wine tasting or just enjoy a nice glass of wine with your loved ones at home, it helps to have the right types of wine glasses. Bookmark this list for your next shopping adventure and make sure you have what you need!
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