Wine Ware: The Art of a Glass

As fans of Louisvale Wines’ harvest know, the right temperature, handling, and even how you pour or decant a wine can greatly affect the taste experience. Did you know that the glass you use can matter, too? The differing shapes of wine glasses aren’t just an amusing oddity, they serve a real purpose in the taste experience- so today our expert team are walking you through everything you need to know about pairing your favourite reds and whites to the right glass.

Finding the Right Glass

Nor are all those fancy glasses just a fad- even science backs them up! The shape of a wine glass affects how the ethanol vapours (fancy speak for the evaporating scent of the wine) send the aromatic compounds of the wine wafting into your nose- and thus, how you experience each wine’s unique flavour. Some shapes are better at retaining the chill you need to fully experience a wine, while others are better at sending those aromas straight to your waiting nose.

The Right Glass for White Wine

So, what makes a glass perfect for a crisp Cape Chardonnay like Louisvale’s? While there’s some wriggle room for personal taste and aesthetics- for example, there’s no need to look for a stemmed wine glass if you prefer stemless, because the magic is all in the bowl- there’s a few key characteristics when shopping for the right glass for your white wine.

Whites typically benefit from a little chill. They also lean more acidic, and tend to have stronger aromas than reds (we bet you didn’t know that). These aromas also tend to be floral, light, and fruity.

This means a smaller bowled glass is the best choice- not a thin flute, however! We still want some roundness. If you lean to full-bodied and creamy whites, like our oak-aged

, you can choose a wider bowl to really accent those creamy undertones. These are sometimes called Montrachet glasses.

Red Wines in the Right Glasses

On the flip side, red wines are known to be heavier, bringing bitter tannins and spicier flavours to the table. This means that they benefit from greater oxygen in the mix (remember wine decanting?) and a wider bowl. 

The classic Bordeaux Glass, with its wide, almost bell-shaped bowl, is perfect for bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet, and, of course, Bordeauxs. You get a smooth taste from the large surface area, and having the aroma at the perfect distance to emphasise the bouquet is a great added extra.

For lighter full-bodied reds, as well as medium-body wines, you have the slightly narrower ‘standard’ red wine glass. With a smaller opening, it suits Shiraz and Zinfandel types, softening their spice and creating a smooth drinking experience.

True wine fans may also want to add a Bourgogne Glass, or Aroma Collector, to the collection. This is a large, round-bowled red wine glass designed to enhance lighter and delicate reds with subtle aromas. The perfect match for a Pinot Noir.

The Crystal Conundrum

While much of the taste experience from wine glasses comes from the bowl shape, it is worth noting that you get standard glassware and then the elite crystalware glass types. While crystal- a type of glass made with metal oxides in the glass- allows for fantastic sparkle and a thinner, delicate glass, it is also pretty hard to care for. It’s not dishwasher safe, and can break easily. They can be a great investment for the right home, but aren’t strictly necessary to enjoy a great wine. If you prefer easy-care glasses, prioritise the thicker glassware types, or opt for a stemless design that will be less delicate.

And there you have it! Now you not only know what to serve your favourite Louisvale Wines in, you also know why it matters!