While a typical wine-tasting session may put off some with its highbrow approach and impenetrable terminology, it remains a fact that the right kind of glass enhances the taste of wine immeasurably.
The difference is immediately discernible to amateurs as well as experts, which is why it is important that you invest in the appropriate kind of glass for your white wines.
Best Glasses for White Wine at Home
Why Should I Get a Glass Especially for White Wine?
While this question might puzzle the newly inducted, experts will tell you that most glassware manufacturers design wine glasses for specific varieties of grapes.
The shape of the glass ensures that the wine reaches the right part of your tongue when you sip it.
In addition to this, the design of the glass helps to retain the aroma of that particular kind of wine.
When it comes to white wine, maintaining the right temperature is also important.
Red wines may be served in what is colloquially known as a “tumbler” but white wine glasses need a stem so that the wine isn’t warmed by our palm cupping the glass.
Red Wine and White Wine Glasses: What’s the Difference?
Red wine and white wine glasses differ considerably in their design, cut and function.
While at first glance it may not be as apparent, tasting your wines from the kind of glass that has been designed for that particular variety of grape will make all the differences obvious.
Do not be surprised by that statement – most glassware manufacturers worth their salt make glasses for specific varieties of grape.
Which begs the question: what is the difference between glasses for red wine, and those for white?
To start with, an important part of red wines – as opposed to white wines – is aroma, which is why red wine glasses usually have a bigger bowl size.
The generous bowl size allows the aroma of the wine to express itself fully, letting the drinker inhale the scent before the wine is tasted.
With white wines, however, maintaining the right temperature is more important.
Therefore, they are taller than red wine glasses and come with a thick, long stem that allows the glass to be held comfortably.
Also, white wine glasses are usually smaller since the portions for white wine are traditionally lesser than those of red.
Given these important differences between both grapes, it is important that you buy the right kind of glass for your wine.
3 Categories of White Wine Glasses
Chardonnay: This glass is tall and tapers towards the top.
It has a full bowl to help the aromas of white wine to be released when drinking.
Known as the “standard” white wine glass, it is similar to the Bordeaux glass for reds but shorter.
Sauvignon Blanc / Pinot Grigio: Designed specifically for the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, these glasses are shaped like Chardonnays except their height and the bowl size is smaller.
These glasses help enhance the acidity of a white wine.
White Burgundy / Montrachet: These glasses are known for their distinctly wide bowls, which are bigger than regular wine glasses.
It allows the wine to swill across a larger surface area which helps it rest properly.
This, in turn, creates a richer, fuller flavour when sipped.
Review of 3 Best White Wine Glasses
Here is a selection of three excellent glasses for white wine, one each for the three categories of white wine glasses.
Each of these glasses has earned praise from wine enthusiasts and experts alike and will be a great addition to your home or restaurant.
Riedel Ouverture White Wine Glass
Reidel comes with a long legacy: the founder, Claus Reidel was the first to design wine glasses keeping in mind the wine’s character.
While they have a reputation for manufacturing glasses on the higher end of the costing spectrum, this model is easy on the pocket.
- The Ouverture White Wine glass is the perfect glass to suit a variety of white wines
- The glass helps to release the aromas of the white wines, and balance fruit and sweetness in wines to provide structure
- This pack contains two glasses
- Machine-made and dishwasher safe
- Capacity is 9.88 ounces; glass size 2.87Lx2.87Wx7.09H (Inches)
PROS
CONS
Verdict
Drinking wine from the right kind of glass can make all the difference to your experience of its flavour and aroma.
With this glass, you get legacy gift-wrapped with an attractive price.
This combination is hard to come across.
In addition to this, these glasses are clear lending a beautiful look to your wine.
If you’re looking for a good set for your parties at home which doesn’t look or feel cheap, this is the best deal out there in the market.
Paksh Novelty Italian White Wine Glasses
It is impossible to not mention an Italian manufacturer of glassware when considering wine glasses, given that wine is an integral part of Italian culture and cuisine.
These glasses are a cut above the others in the market because of the thickness of the glass.
Fragility often means that wine glasses break easily. However, this won’t be an issue with Paksh wine glasses for white wine.
- LUXURIOUS DESIGN - Made in Italy, this exquisite 4-piece 15 oz wine glass set of # features luxurious and luminous Italian-crafted glass that’s sure to turn heads and add beauty to your bar top.
- HIGH QUALITY DESIGN - This special stemmed wine set is made of exclusive star glass, a chemical composition free from lead that produces ultraclear, pure, and stunning wine glasses. Dishwasher safe.
- PRECISE DESIGN - The laser-cut-glass process delivers uniform and thin rims on the unique wine glasses, enhancing the perceived quality and flavor of any white wine from Pinot Grigio, to Sauvignon...
- COMFORTABLE - This large wineglass has a stout bulb shape that feels comfortable when cradled in the hand. The curved design also allows the white wine to breathe, enhancing its flavors and releasing...
- HOLIDAY GIFT - Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a friend, sister, daughter, wife, or anyone that loves a crisp glass of wine? This wine glasses set also makes the perfect birthday,...
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Verdict
If you’re looking for a thick, sturdy pair of glasses that won’t break easily, this glass set is a good bet.
They’re economically priced but look quite classy, thanks to the pure crystal used in its manufacture.
It doesn’t hurt that these glasses have received 5 stars from more than 80% of its reviewers.
If you’re a wine-drinking family with young children or frisky dogs, these shatter-resistant glasses will feel reassuringly solid in your hands and light on your pocket.
Riedel Vinum Zinfandel/Riesling Grand Cru
Given that Riedel is a top manufacturer of wine glasses across the world, it comes as no surprise that they are being mentioned once again on this list of the best white wine glasses that money can buy.
These are slightly more expensive in comparison to the two glasses mentioned above but are quality enough to be worth the money.
- Set of four machine-made, fine crystal Zinfandel/Riesling glasses
- These glasses are the perfect size and shape to be used for Zinfandels or Rieslings
- Glass height is 8 1/4 inches and the capacity is 14 1/8 ounces
- Beautiful gift item or great addition to your home bar collection
- Dishwasher safe
PROS
CONS
Verdict
While it is important to choose separate glasses for reds and whites, having a pair of these – which are suitable for both types of wine – will turn out to be a dinner tip from heaven during a party.
You can simply rinse these glasses with water and use them again for a different wine to match your course of dinner accordingly.
These glasses are obviously not for the fine wine drinker, but their design and pricing make them a wonderful deal for the regular wine enthusiast who enjoys throwing regular wine-and-dine parties.
The Final Word
Whether you are searching for the right kind of wine glass for your home or restaurant, it is important to invest in a good quality glass for a particular type of wine.
There are many glasses out there in the market, each claiming to be shatter-resistant, made with pure crystal, and so on but only a few of these really stand out.
The glasses mentioned in this review have been used by many wine enthusiasts across the world and have stood the test of long usage and maintenance – two important aspects that test the durability of wine glasses.
Once you have made your decision, the difference that the right kind of glass will make your experience of your favourite white wine will make you a white-glass-convert forever.
top image credit: Syda_Productions (Deposit Photos)