What makes a good glass
- Fine, clear crystal, with no cuts or colours, so you can see the wine and feel less glass on your lip.
- A tulip-shaped bowl: wider at the bottom and slightly closed at the top, so the aromas are concentrated.
- A generous size: you pour up to a third, and the rest is space for the wine to breathe and move.
- A stem: so you can hold it without warming the wine.
The basic shapes
Red: Bordeaux or Burgundy
The Bordeaux glass is tall, with a wide bowl and a slightly closed mouth: it’s great with reds that have structure and tannin, such as a Ribera del Duero, a Rioja or a Priorat. The Burgundy glass is wider, like a balloon, and suits more aromatic and delicate reds, such as a Pinot Noir or a fine Mencía.
White
Smaller than the red one, to keep the wine cool and concentrate the aromas. For young, aromatic whites (Albariño, Riesling, Gewürztraminer) a glass with a narrower bowl works; for aged or age-worthy whites (a great Godello, a white Burgundy), a slightly wider glass.
Sparkling: flute or tulip
The flute keeps the bubbles well and is practical for cava and young sparkling wines. For Champagne and long-aged sparkling wines, more and more people prefer a tulip-shaped glass or even a white wine glass: it lets the wine express itself on the nose without losing its bubbles. The wide, flat glass (the “coupe”) is pretty, but the bubbles and aroma disappear in no time.
Universal
If you only want one glass, there are “universal” models designed for all types of wine, such as the Gabriel-Glas or the Josephine N° 2. They’re not perfect for everything, but they do it very well.
How many glasses do I need?
To start with, six red and six white glasses of good quality. If you drink Champagne or cava often, add a few sparkling wine glasses. Tasting-grade hand-blown glasses are best bought in twos, for your best bottles.
Cleaning
Hot water and, if needed, a tiny bit of neutral soap; rinse thoroughly and dry with a microfibre cloth. Many quality glasses are dishwasher-safe: always check what the manufacturer says.
