Which glass for which type of wine : the Chef&Sommelier guide

Since the creation of the first wine glass in the 14th century, glass experts have evolved their art to be able to taste all wines in the best conditions. We explain how to find the best glass for every situation.

Why are there different types of wine glass ?

The characteristics of a wine greatly influence the way you should taste it. A young wine needs oxygenation and therefore space, while an old wine needs to be “locked up” in a glass to keep all its aromas. This is why experts in the art of the table such as Chef&Sommelier offer you collections of wine glasses adapted to the tasting of all types of grape varieties and appellations.

What are the different parts of a wine glass ?

A wine glass is made up of different parts, all of which have a role to play in the tasting process. Starting from the bottom of the glass, there are : the base, the stem, the knob, the bowl, the shoulder, the chimney and the rim.

•  The base is the foundation on which the glass rests. It also has a strong aesthetic dimension.
•  The foot, or leg, connects the base to the container. This is where you should hold your glass to avoid staining the chalice and heating the wine.
•  The knob is the joint between the container and the foot.
•  The goblet is just above the knob and is the bottom part of the container. Round (balloon shape), curved or straight (tulip shape), its shape plays a key role in tasting.
•  The shoulder is the widest part of the bowl and marks the upper limit that you should not exceed when pouring wine.
•  The chimney is the upper part of the glass. It is generally narrower and allows the aromas to be retained and directed directly to your nose when discovering a wine.
•  The rim is the edge of the glass. It should be as thin as possible to allow you to enjoy your tasting to the full.

At Chef&Sommelier, we offer a range of wine glasses that meet all the needs of gastronomy professionals and wine lovers in general. Our products are made of Krysta, a unique material (guaranteed without added lead) that has the brilliance of crystal, but is much more resistant to shocks and multiple washings.

Types of glass by container

Generally speaking, wine glasses are classified by their container. There are red wine glasses, white and rosé wine glasses and champagne glasses. Here are their different characteristics.

The red wine glass : a narrow chimney to retain the aromas

The red wine glass has a wide base and a narrow chimney to release the aromas during tasting. This is particularly interesting for concentrated wines which tend to be not very volatile. Their aromas need to be guided to reach your nose. The best example of this type of glass is the Bordeaux glass. When serving, the wine poured should not exceed 50% of the chalice to enhance the tannins.

To make the most of the aromas and flavours of your favourite red wine, we suggest the Cabernet collection balloon glass for complex red wines or the Open’Up glass for younger or foreign red wines.

The white/rose wine glass: an extended bowl for good oxygenation

The ideal white wine tasting glass is significantly wider and flared than the red wine glass, but it should also be smaller. When serving, fill no more than a third of the container and keep the rest cool. This will preserve the taste and finesse of your favourite white wine. The Burgundy glass is perfect for enjoying the unique aromas of Chardonnay from Chablis.

For white wine tasting, we offer high quality glasses in all our collections. The Macaron 30 cl wine glass is ideal for young or organic wines. The Open’up soft stemmed glasses reveal the finesse and softness of classic white wines with fruity notes. The Sublym stemmed glasses up to 55 cl have an elegant curve and a fine rim, which delight the eyes and the taste buds.

The champagne glass: the flute or another glass ?

To retain the effervescence of champagnes and bubbly wines, the flute is the king glass. Its tulip shape allows the effervescence of the beverage to be retained for a perfect tasting experience. You can opt for other types of glass, such as the champagne glass, which are more suitable for parties and cocktails.

To bring a design touch to your table and serve your best bubbly wines, choose our Exaltation lilies, Reveal’Up flutes, Macaron, and our Champagne & Cocktail glasses. These products from the best French glassware magnify the unique character of bubbly wines for optimal tasting pleasure.

The universal wine glass: what are its characteristics ?

Finally, you can also turn to the universal stemmed glass. The characteristic of this glass is that it is suitable for tasting all types of wine. It has a perfect balance in terms of the size of its chalice and its chimney to preserve the flavours and aromas of your best bottles.