A true-blue wine connoisseur is sure to agree that the flavor of wine and the wine drinking experience itself is augmented by drinking it in the right kind of wine glass. However, a wine glass is not just any glass with a stem, there is much more that goes into selecting the right glass for your wine.
Wine glasses are designed in such a way that they enhance the flavor of the wine. A glass with a wide bowl increases the surface area, allowing you to smell the aroma of the wine while you’re drinking it, which also enhances the taste. And, the important thing is that white and red wines taste better when you use the appropriate type of glasses.
Different wines whether it is red or white, dry or sweet, light or robust, need a particular procedure, temperature and type of glass so that you get the maximum flavor. And, it is important to understand the various types of wine glasses and what makes one better than another.
Best Glasses for Red Wine at Home
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Parts of the Red Wine Glass
Typically, a wine glass comprises 4 parts and each of these is vital to the experience of wine tasting.
- The rim i.e. the top of the wine glass.
- The bowl or the portion of the wine glass that holds the wine.
- The stem which is the piece of glass that connects the bowl of the wine glass to the base.
- The base which holds the wine glass.
These 4 parts vary depending on the type of wine i.e. white wine glass, red wine glass, port glass, champagne glass, etc.
Characteristics of a Red Wine Glass
A red wine glass is different from other wine glasses in terms of the shape of the bowl.
Red wine glasses generally have larger bowls which are more bulbous.
This helps to expose the wine to the air, which augments the aroma of the wine due to oxidation.
Usually, the rim of the red wine glass is narrow compared to the bowl, which helps to concentrate the aroma and flavor for the drinker.
Nevertheless, compared to other kinds of wine glasses, the rim of red wine glasses is much larger so that the drinker gets a “noseful” of the wine.
Types of Red Wine Glasses
There are essentially 4 types of red wine glasses:
For Young Red Wines
These are for wines that have been bottled between the last 12-18 months and requires more aeration.
A young red wine glass typically has a bulbous bowl, which directs the wine to the inner portion of the mouth, so that you have the best wine tasting experience.
For Mature Red Wines
Mature wines require glasses with a wider and taller bowl with a narrow rim that helps to concentrate, as well as aerate the aromas of the more superior-quality wine.
For Full-Bodied Wines
Wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are full-bodied and while drinking them, they should be focused to the back of the mouth in order to fill the mouth with the flavor of the wine.
So, for this purpose, using glasses with tall and broad bowls is the best.
These types of glasses are also known as Bordeaux wine glasses.
For Delicate Wines
For the best tasting experience, delicate wines such as the Pinot Noir should be focused on the tip of the tongue.
And, since the aroma of these wines is huge, it is a good idea to have taller glasses with larger bowls and these glasses are also known as Burgundy wine glasses.
Universal Wine Glasses
Depending on the frequency of your wine consumption and the type of wine, you could opt for a universal white or red wine glass.
Or if you want to use the glasses for different types of beverages apart from just wine, you could opt for a universal or multipurpose wine glass.
Buying a wine glass for red wine can be quite overwhelming, especially if you are a beginner to wine drinking.
So, here is our buying guide and reviews of some of the best red wine glasses that can help to make your buying process easier.
Bormioli Rocco Restaurant Red Wine Glass
If you are a connoisseur of wine and love drinking your wine in style, then you just can’t go wrong with the Bormioli Rocco Red Wine Glass.
The Italian Bormioli Rocco Group is associated with the tradition of wines and has been in the business of glassmaking since 1825.
The Bormioli Rocco Red Wine Glass is the perfect glass for red wine, which features an 18 oz wide bowl and a delicate stem that is extremely easy to hold.
Made of lead-free “Star Glass”, the wine glasses are pure and clear and this also makes them sturdy and durable.
The Star Glass makes the Bormioli Rocco Red Wine Glass comparable to crystal in terms of the clarity.
The wine glasses also go through the XLT treatment that helps to protect the stem from breakage due to common causes like daily use, washing and twisting and also protects it from any scratches and abrasions.
The wine glasses are quite strong, shatter-resistant, dishwasher safe and ISO IWA 8:2009 certified. The Bormioli Rocco Red Wine Glass comes as a 4-piece set, which is ideal for any small home.
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Verdict
The set of 4 red wine glasses from Bormioli Rocco are beautifully crafted with a slender and smooth stem and the thin laser cut rim allows the wine to breathe when poured.
The glasses are easy and comfortable to hold.
These aesthetically elegant set of red wine glasses from the iconic brand Bormioli Rocco reflects the time-bound wine tradition and is sure to bring elegance and style to your table.
Libbey Basics Red Wine Glass Set
If you love classic red wines, then you should surely enjoy them in equally classic red wine glasses.
The classy and elegant Libbey Basics Red Wine Glass Set is definitely the perfect wine glass set that is sure to complement the flavor and aroma of your favorite wines.
The Libbey Basics Wine Glasses have a wide and lovely teardrop shape which are casual, at the same time they are very chic.
The 10 oz red wine glasses are slightly small in size, but they are heavy-duty and quite durable.
The lead-free Libbey Basics Wine Glasses are sturdy and easy to clean by just popping them into your dishwasher.
And, the best part is that the wine glasses are fairly inexpensive and will not create a dent in your pocket.
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Verdict
The Libbey Basics Wine Glass Set has a set of 4 glasses that is just right for a small get together.
The gentle teardrop shape and the clean lines of the glass are sure to enhance the relaxed atmosphere of your intimate gathering.
So, if you want to stock up on your wine glasses without spending a lot of money, then the Libbey Basics Wine Glass Set is a great value for money investment.
Riedel Vinum Extreme Cabernet Wine Glass
If you’re looking for the perfect wine glass for your cabernet, then the Riedel Vinum Cabernet Wine Glass is the perfect buy.
Made of 24% lead crystal, the design of the Riedel Vinum Extreme is unique and is sure to enhance the wonderful flavors of your wine.
The Riedel Vinum Extreme is the attempt of the manufacturer to add to the flavor and aroma of the more concentrated and denser wines that are being developed today.
The wine-friendly Cabernet Wine Glass from Ridel is a way that wine connoisseurs can enjoy their wine better.
The 28¼ oz Riedel Vinum Extreme is a machine blown wine glass that features an extremely delicate rim.
The classy wine glasses come in a set of 2 and the large-sized diamond-shaped design of the bowl allows the wine to breathe, while the tapered rim lets you swirl the wine.
The Riedel Vinum Extreme is made in Germany and is so sturdy, that it can be washed safely even in the dishwasher.
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Verdict
The craftsmanship of the Riedel Vinum Extreme Wine Glasses indeed reflects Ridel’s commitment to form and function and the elegant and stylish design of the glasses is sure to make your wine drinking experience truly pleasurable.
The Vinum Extreme wine glasses especially enhance the flavor and aroma of intense red wines that are of medium acidity and contain a high level of tannins and are the best wine glasses for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Buying the right wine glass is more than just the basic etiquette of wine drinking, it is an “essential” that makes the entire wine drinking experience all the more pleasurable.
top image credit: AntonMatyukha (Deposit Photos)