| Red Wine Glasses | | | | very special wine is served. This is often the only |
| Red wine glasses are characterized by their | | | | glass for big red aficionados. Also considered a |
| rounder, wider bowl, to give the wine a chance to | | | | chardonnay glass because of the white Burgundy |
| breathe. The more mature and full-bodied the | | | | lineage. These glasses are mostly used for |
| wine, the wider the bowl of the wine glass. The | | | | Burgundy, Grand Cru, Pinot Noir and Syrah. |
| wider bowl not only promotes oxygenation or | | | | There is also an ISO red wine glass, ISO stands |
| breathing but also the development of the | | | | for International Standards Organisation. The |
| aromas. | | | | glasses are made to a particular size, shape and |
| Since most red wines are meant to be consumed | | | | standard for a specific use. It's rounded shape and |
| at room temperature, the wider bowl also allows | | | | smoothness gives an ideal relationship between |
| the red wine to cool more quickly after hand | | | | surface area and volume. The tapered bowl allows |
| contact has warmed it. The stem of a red wine | | | | free circulation of wine and the funnelling of its |
| glass is an important feature as it provides a way | | | | vapours. The ISO glass is mostly used for wine |
| to hold the glass without warming the wine from | | | | tasting. The glass is maybe a little bit small for |
| body heat. It also prevents fingerprints from | | | | drinking wine. |
| smearing the wine glass, and makes the glass | | | | Orrefors Glassworks and other glassworks that |
| easier to swirl. | | | | makes hand blown glasses, have refined the |
| Red wine glass sizes usually vary from under 9 | | | | design of wine glasses with unique size and shape |
| ounces (270 ml) up to 14 ounces (415 ml). The | | | | for most wines. Orrefors red wine glasses are |
| shape of the red wine glass is very important, as | | | | crafted to match the varietal quality of an array |
| it concentrates the aroma (or bouquet) to | | | | of red wines. The proper red wine glass has the |
| emphasize the varietal's characteristic. The shape | | | | ability to highlight the regal flavor of Cabernet |
| of the red wine glass also directs the wine itself | | | | Sauvignon, the elusive perfume of Pinot Noir, the |
| into the best area of the mouth from the varietal. | | | | fruity Pinotage, and the brooding power of a |
| In general, the opening of the red wine glass is | | | | Burgundy. Hand blown wine glasses with design |
| not wider than the widest part of the bowl. | | | | has been popular because of the visual beauty |
| Whereas shape can greatly enhance the | | | | and feeling. Hand blown red wine glasses results in |
| enjoyment of the wine, design can make the | | | | a better vessel, with a thinner lip, and is usually |
| experience a visual feast. | | | | acceptable for casual wine drinkers. If you're |
| The large tulip or narrowing goblet is the most | | | | looking for red wine glass ideas for your home, |
| useful as it allows swirling but has a narrow | | | | visit |
| opening to concentrate the aroma or bouquet. | | | | When you have to clean the wine glasses, try not |
| Many wine drinkers call this shape their red or | | | | to use soap. Instead use hot water and rinse |
| all-purpose glass. These glasses are mostly used | | | | thoroughly. Soap can become trapped within the |
| for Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. | | | | glass release soapy odors. |
| Large format glasses allow the maximum | | | | You can see samples of hand blown wine glasses |
| exposure to air for a big or closed wine. They | | | | at Midnightsun Designs. |
| also add a note of drama to the table when a | | | | You can read about other stemware here. |