Does Size Matter?

Always, especially when it comes to wine glasses!

You can drink your wine from any receptacle you desire. Moreover, I’m a wine glass, SNOB! A good wine glass can make a colossal difference in your experience. The proper wine glass will enhance the aromas and flavors, allowing the wine to “open up.”  

There are many, many, many different wine glasses, and choosing one can be as overwhelming as buying wine. I recommend at least two sizes for white and three for red. A white wine glass should hold 13 to 20 oz, and a red wine glass should hold 17 to 30 oz. Glassware should have a rim, bowl, stem, and foot.

Stem or Stemless?

Stem! It looks fancy, feels right, and can create an experience.

For white wine, a smaller bowl keeps the wine cooler, brings aromas closer to the nose, and expresses more acidity. A full-bodied white wine aged in oak, such as Chardonnay or Viognier, is best consumed in a larger bowl. 

For red wine, a larger round bowl will collect aromas, mitigate high tannins or spicy flavors, and present a smoother-tasting wine. A wider opening will allow the ethanol to evaporate so you can enjoy the wine's aromas rather than the smell of alcohol.  

Stemless…I'm not overexcited about a stemless glass (unless you opened the 3rd Bottle, which is highly recommended), but if you choose a stemless glass, it's best suited for reds. The warmth from your hands will warm up the glass and wine, making it unsuitable for a white. 

The best advice is to buy wine glasses you can afford to break! I fell in love with a Riedel Burgundy Grand Cru wine glass, priced at $100. This was way more than I ever wanted to spend on a wine glass, but I loved it, so I bought two. After breaking and replacing them four times (I cried each time). I have two left, and when I use them, it's usually on a special occasion, and it's NOT after I have opened the 3rd Bottle. 

Fun Fact…Winemakers will propose that the “aroma” of the wine is more important than the “taste” of the wine. So stick your nose in the appropriate wine glass and drink up! 

Cheers! 

About The Author ~ Jeanine is a California-based jet-setting entrepreneur passionate about wine, travel, family, and fun. A retired Sergeant (LASD) and newly retired flight attendant (SkyWest), she’s swapped her wings for a passport full of winery stamps! With WSET Level 1 and 2 certifications, Jeanine brings an informed and adventurous palate to every tasting. She blends her love for discovering hidden gem wineries—from California’s sun-kissed vineyards to Europe’s historic wine regions—offering a vibrant, down-to-earth perspective to everything she touches.