POV: you throw an impromptu party but once you’ve handed out the good glasses and the Babycham cups at the back of the cupboard, the only receptacles left are coffee mugs. Hey ho, anything will do to keep the party going.
But it turns out wine glasses are about more than looking like you’ve got your act together or making your red, white or rose appear more aesthetically appealing for the Gram. The varying shapes and considered curves help express the best of the delicious fermented grape juice within.
Richard Hemming, Master of Wine at 67 Pall Mall, Asia explains: “The fundamentals are to have uncoloured and unpatterned glasses so you can see the wine clearly, and stems are preferred so you avoid holding the bowl of the glass, which will alter the temperature.
“There are also advantages to using specific shapes for particular styles. Burgundy and other Pinot Noirs are more aromatically expressive in a wider bowl, while sparkling wine prefers a slimmer shape to preserve the all-important fizz - although the traditional flute is increasingly unfashionable in favour of a more standard tulip shape.”
He adds: “Throughout 67 Pall Mall, we use Zalto’s Universal glass, which is suitable for a wide range of red and whites, but we also have shapes designed to maximise the quality and style of Bordeaux and white Burgundy.”
Which glasses are best for red wine?
Giulia Cuccurullo is Head Bartender at Artesian Bar at The Langham. She says: “Red wine generally needs more air contact than white wines (that’s why the glasses are larger) to help the process of releasing new aromas and maintaining the correct temperature.”
Which glasses are best for white wine?
Any oenophile worth their salted bar nuts knows that there’s only one optimum temperature for white wine: chilled. Once removed from the fridge or cooler, a small glass with a narrow opening will hold your vino at the right temperature for longer. Since rose wine is also served cold, you can use the same glasses for blush wine too.
Which glasses are best for sparkling wine?
There’s simply no denying the Gatsby-esque decadence of a saucer, but the experts agree: a flute is the best option for Champagne and her Continental cousins Prosecco and Cava. The same goes for homegrown grapes, English sparkling wine.
There is, however, an exception to the rule: the more complex your bubbles, the more they’ll benefit from a larger surface area glass as the aromas from the bubbles will dispel more slowly. So for vintage sparkling, don’t be afraid to go old school all the way.
See our edit of the best glasses for wine below
Best glasses for red wine
The White Company Compton Wine Glasses set of four
An ideal shape for bringing out the best body from your glass of red, this set of four is made from high-quality crystal and makes an ideal set to bring out for special occasions.
Buy now £38.00, The White Company
Dunelm Connoisseur Crystal Glass Large Red Wine Glasses
Proving you don’t have to fork out mega bucks for a great glass, Dunelm presents these wine glasses in a set of four. Perfect for dinner parties as well as kicking back on a Friday night, they’re both dishwasher-safe and hand washable.
Buy now £24.00, Dunelm
Amisglass Stemless Wine Glasses
As red wine is generally intended to be sipped warm, heat transference from your hand doesn’t matter as much as it would do with a white. These laser cold cut stemless glasses offer a different take on red wine glasses, but feature the same wide bowl to allow your wine to unbloom and oxidise. A smashing price for a set of six.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
LSA Borough Red Wine Glass Set of 4
A slightly unusual take on a wine glass thanks to a square bottom, there’s still plenty of room in the bowl of this glass set to allow wine to breathe and taste the way the producers intended.
Buy now £50.00, Heal's
Best glasses for white wine
Ichendorf Milano Desert Plant Cactus wine glasses set of six
Inject your glassware archive with some playful flair. Ichendorf Milano’s Desert Plant Cactus wine glasses have garnered a cult following due to their kitschy designs that make for colourful dinner party essentials. Ideal for a fresh tipple of white, the vibrant pieces are crafted from pure glass and are dishwasher-safe.
Buy now £167.00, Farfetch
RIEDEL Vinum 6416/97 Montrachet Chardonnay Set of 2 Glasses
The glassware brand name most cited by bar professionals, Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate, says of Austria’s Riedel: “The finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes... The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasise enough what a difference they make.”
For dry white wine like Montrachet, white Burgundy, Chablis or Chardonnay, this set of two Riedel chalices won’t fail to hit the mark. The bulbous shape offers balanced drinking with many reporting brighter, fuller flavours.
Buy now £48.94, Amazon
Waterford Marquis Moments crystal glass white wine glasses set of four
Do your next bottle of Chardonnay justice with Waterford’s crystal glass white wine glasses, available in a set of four. They come in a gift box, making for an excellent present for the wine lover in your life.
Buy now £55.00, Selfridges
Anna + Nina multicoloured wine glass set of four
Amp up the colour with a helping hand from Anna + Nina. The quirky brand is currently stocking a kaleidoscopic collection of four wine glasses. The set’s jewel-toned hues, spanning violet to lime, and tulip-esque silhouettes will add playful tones to your tableware.
Buy now £50.00, Selfridges
Stölzle Lausitz White Wine Glasses Quatrophil 404ml
These elegant glasses with a long stem come in a set of six, making them ideal for home hosting or giving as a gift.
Buy now £32.50, Amazon
Best glasses for Champagne
Estelle Colored Glass Rose Champagne Flutes Set of Two
Look at the world through these rose-tinted glasses at your next party. Trust us, the good times will taste even better. Perfect for any kind of sparkling wine.
Buy now £48.00, Liberty
Ferm Living Ripple Smoked Grey Champagne Saucer Set of 2
Bring a sense of mystery to your next Champagne moment with Ferm Living’s rippled glass saucers, made with subtly smoked grey glass. The beautiful craftsmanship means they stand out as a wonderful gift for a special occasion.
Buy now £39.00, Heal’s
Dunelm Set of 2 Elysia Champagne Coupes
No one will be able to guess that these fabulous coupe glasses are under a tenner for a pair, giving you very little reason to rebuff them. Save for a special occasion, or just when you want to feel a bit fancy.
Buy now £7.00, Dunelm
