How to Pick the Correct Stemware for Wine

To most, picking the correct stemware to use with wine seems simple: any glass that looks like a wine glass will do. Unfortunately, when serving wine and drinking wine, the experience is not just about quenching thirst, but rather appreciating and evaluating the aspects of the wine being served, such as its aroma and distinct properties of its flavor. There are specific etiquettes to follow in picking the correct stemware for serving wine.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a wine glass that is made from crystal, half-crystal or high quality superior glass. Stemware made from these types of material is able to be made extremely thin, with 1 millimeter being ideal for a wine glass. The base of the stemware should be sufficiently large with a long stem. The long stem will keep the hand properly placed, and therefore, not tainting the temperature of the wine being served. Also, the glass itself should be transparent or colorless and have no embellished decorations, because this will take away from the aspects of the wine being served. The wine must be the focus.

2. Serve wine in the stemware that is proper for each different type of wine. This will showcase the distinct characteristics of the type of wine that is being served so that all the properties of that specific wine are exalted. Wine stemware comes in different shapes and are made to be used with different wines, different grapes and wines produced in specific regions.

3. White wine should be served in a small and narrowed tulip shaped glass, though not as narrow as a champagne flute. On average, a white wine glass will hold 10 fluid ounces. The reason white wine stemware is narrow is so it assists in retaining the chilled temperature at which the white wine is typically served. The narrowness lends to less surface area within the glass.

4. Red wine stemware typically has a wider bowl with a taller stem. This helps the red wine breath. Red wine is also meant to be served at room temperature, and the wider bowl will cause the wine to cool faster after it has been warmed by hand contact, helping it to maintain a constant room temperature.

5. Champagne and Prosecco are served in narrow fluted and tall stemware. The narrowed flute shape will help maintain the fizzy carbonated quality of a sparkling wine, while the long stem will keep the hand from warming the wine.

Tips & Warnings

• When serving wine, it is important to remember to only fill the wine glass no more than one-third of the total volume of the glass being used.
• There are different varieties and types of stemware that are even more specific for different types of wines within the red, white and sparkling categories. You can always ask about the best type of stemware to serve your wine in when you make your wine purchase.