red and white wine glass

White VS. Red Wine Glasses – What Are The Differences?

Originally Posted On June 3, 2023 and Last Updated On

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White VS. Red Wine Glasses – What Are The Differences?

A true wine connoisseur values the difference between red and white wine glasses because it enhances their experience with the drink. And yes, the two glasses are slightly different from one another and for specific reasons.

So if you’re going to build a complete home bar and you want to truly understand why it is important to serve each wine in its appropriate glass, then it is important to know the difference between wine glasses.

Take a minute to learn what I’ve written here so you can show of to your family and friends about your in-depth wine glass knowledge. It’ll only take a minute, and after you’ll always know which glass to serve with which wine. And if you’re being served the wrong glass!

The Shape of the Glass

The shape of a wine glass is not just for aesthetics, but it also plays a crucial role in the taste and aroma of the wine. A typical wine glass has three parts: the bowl, stem, and foot.

The shape of the bowl is influenced by the release and collection of aromas, as well as the lip, which affects the flow of wine into the mouth.

The stem is designed to be held to avoid leaving fingerprints on the bowl and to prevent the warmth, oils, and scents from the hand from affecting the wine’s temperature and flavor.

The foot provides stability to the glass and prevents it from tipping over. The shape of the glass also influences the type of wine it is used for.

Red wine glasses have wider, rounder bowls to increase the rate of oxidation, which allows the complex flavors found in red wines to be smoothed.

On the other hand, white wine glasses have smaller, narrower bowls to preserve the wine’s delicate aromas and flavors. Sparkling wine glasses are designed to preserve the bubbles and effervescence of the wine.

When serving wine, it is proper practice to hold the glass by its stem to avoid leaving fingerprints on the bowl.

Decanters are also important to consider as they help to improve the taste of wine by allowing it to breathe and release its full flavor potential.

A beautiful wine decanter and a set of good wine glasses can make the whole wine-drinking experience even more enjoyable.

Red Wine Glasses

red wine glass

Red wine glasses have wider, rounder bowls to increase the rate of oxidation, which allows the complex flavors found in red wines to be smoothed.

The oxidation process chemically alters the wine by allowing oxygen to come into contact with the liquid, enhancing both the flavor and aroma.

The bowl of a red wine glass is both rounder and wider to allow more air to come in contact with the liquid, which further enhances the flavor.

Red wine glasses are also held by the bowl since it doesn’t normally make a difference if the temperature of the wine changes from the warmth of your hand.

Red wine glasses are further divided into two common discrete shapes: the burgundy glass and the bordeaux glass.

The burgundy glass is broad and is suited to take the wine to the tip of the tongue, while the bordeaux glass is tall and not as broad as the burgundy glass.

When serving wine, it is proper practice to hold the glass by its stem to avoid leaving fingerprints on the bowl. The stem is designed to keep the warmth, oils, and scents from the hand away from the wine to properly enjoy its aromas and flavors.

The foot provides stability to the glass and prevents it from tipping over.

Bars that are looking for wine glasses for their red wine should choose glassware with a wider, rounder bowl.

White Wine Glasses

white wine glass

White wine glasses are designed to preserve the wine’s delicate aromas and flavors.

They have smaller mouths, which reduces the area of contact the wine has with the air, reducing the rate of oxidation while enjoying your white wine drink.

The bowl is slightly smaller, more U-shaped, and upright than a red wine glass. The entire glass appears thinner, and the stem is longer to keep the warmth of your hand from diminishing the cooler wine temperature.

The smaller mouth also allows the aroma to be directed more precisely towards the nose, which is a very important part of wine appreciation.

White wine glasses are meant to be grasped by their stem to avoid both fingerprints on the bowl and prevent the wine from being affected by the warmth of your hand.

Serve Chardonnay and Pinot Grigiot, as well as all other white wines, in the wider of the white wine glasses, and use the Champagne Flutes for Champagne. It affects the taste, aroma, and overall experience of drinking your white wine.

Quick Overview of the Differences of Wine Glasses

Red wine glasses have a wider, rounder bowl to release the flavors of the wine.

Features: Wide bowl with a narrow rim Wide bowl designed to release aromas in red wines Designed to be held by the bowl of the glass, not the stem Variety of bowl sizes available Stemless versions are a popular choice.

Our Expert Advice:
Bars that are looking for wine glasses for their red wine should choose glassware with a wider, rounder bowl. This allows the red wine to oxygenate, bringing out the flavors more intensely. The wider brim is also meant to allow the consumer to smell the bouquet of aromas before sipping the wine. 
VSWhite wine glasses typically have a narrow bowl with a small rim diameter.


Features: Narrow bowl with a narrow rim Narrow bowl designed to keep the delicate white wine from being exposed to too much air Designed to be held by the stem of the glass.



Our Expert Advice:
White wine is best in a glass with a narrower bowl. Because of the delicate flavors characteristic of white wine, the majority of the flavor is sensed during drinking. The narrow rim keeps the temperature and the flavor more enclosed in the glass, enhancing the white wine experience. Choose taller flutes for champagne.
Red vs. White Wine Glasses

About the Author

  • Bill Allen

    I'm Bill Allen, the guy behind this site. I've been a bartender, bar owner and sitting on both sides of a bar for almost 35 years, so I have some experience in the whole mixology scene. And now I'm just building out my site with as much helpful content as I can share with you.

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