Red Wine Glasses

I remember when I bought my first set of red wine glasses. It was after I hosted a wine and cheese party with several friends to celebrate the opening of my first batch of homemade red wine. At the time I wasn’t a huge wine buff and hardly new the difference between types of wines let alone the glasses. Turns out I didn’t have any red wine glasses since I only drank white up until that point. I’ll admit it took me a while to even notice the difference between the types of wine glasses but I could never go back to drinking red wine from a white wine glass.

Click the above image to view my favorite Riedel red wine glasses.

Difference between white and red wine glasses

The major difference between white and red wine glasses are the shape and size of the glass. The red wine glass is typically rounder and wider, resembling more of a bowl-like shape than the white glass. It is quite easy to spot the difference between the two.

The reason for the difference in shape is to allow for a higher rate of oxidation for the red wine. Red wine interacts with the oxygen in the air to change and add to the smell and flavour of the wine. Typically, you want to avoid oxidation while making wine, but since red wines have much more complex aromas and flavours than wine wines, this oxidation can smooth them out a bit after the wine has been poured.

Click here for a cheaper red wine glass (set of four for under $20). Not quite as nice as the Riedel, but still great quality.

Styles of red wine glasses

As expected with wine, there are different types of glasses even within the red wine family. These different types of glasses compliment the different types of red wine.

Two of the more popular red wine glasses are the bordeaux glass and the burgundy glass. The bordeaux wine glass has a fairly broad bowl and is made specifically for full-bodied wines. These include a Shiraz or Syrah and a Cabernet Sauvignon. The burgundy wine glass on the other hand, is a bit more broad and has a bigger bowl. The burgundy glass is made for much finer wines than the bordeaux. Wines such as a Pinot Noir.

If you are looking to add a bit of durability and stability to your red wine glass, consider buying a set of stemless wine glasses. These make for a great addition to any party where spills and breaks are bound to occur with high stemmed glasses.

Different materials for red wine glasses

Like any glass, there are a variety of materials and types that red wine glasses come in, including glass, crystal, acrylic, and even plastic. Although each of these types are great for a variety of situations, it is argued that the glass crystal wine glass is the best glass for taste and aroma.