Wine Glasses for Red, White and Sparkling Wine

Wine Glasses: Choosing the Right Bowl Shape, Capacity and Size

A good wine glass provides enough room to smell, swirl and drink the wine comfortably. At Discountershop, you can compare Wine Glasses for red, white and sparkling wine. For other types of drinkware, browse Glasses or explore the wider Cooking & Dining range.

Bowl shape, opening and capacity: which size suits your wine?

Red wine glasses often have a larger bowl than white wine glasses. The extra room makes swirling easier, while an opening that is narrower than the widest part of the bowl helps collect aromas above the wine.

White wine glasses are often more compact. A smaller bowl means less wine needs to be poured at once, which can also help reduce the time a chilled wine sits warming in the glass.

When comparing wine glasses, look beyond the listed millilitres:

• Bowl diameter: affects how much room the wine has to move when swirling.
• Rim opening: a tapered shape helps keep aromas concentrated near the top.
• Overall height: important for cupboard shelves and dishwasher clearance.
• Stem height: gives you a place to hold the glass without warming the bowl.
• Foot diameter: determines how much space each glass needs on the table or shelf.
• Set size: choose according to how many guests you usually serve.

The range includes wine glasses around 370 ml and taller stemmed designs, so measuring cupboard and dishwasher space before ordering is worthwhile.

How full should you pour a wine glass?

The maximum capacity of a glass is not the recommended serving amount. Leave enough room above the wine to swirl without spilling and to create an aroma space inside the bowl.

For tastings, smaller pours are particularly useful because they make swirling easier and allow several wines to be compared without filling each glass too high.

Hold a stemmed wine glass by the stem where practical. This reduces heat transfer from your hand to the bowl and keeps fingerprints away from the area you use to judge the wine's colour and clarity.

For water alongside wine, use Water Glasses. Long Drink Glasses provide more room for ice and mixers, while Whiskey Glasses suit spirits.

Cleaning wine glasses without putting stress on the stem

Always check whether the specific glass is dishwasher-safe. If it is, leave enough space between glasses so they do not touch one another, cutlery or moving dishwasher parts.

When hand washing:

• use warm rather than boiling water;
• rinse detergent away thoroughly;
• support the bowl while drying;
• avoid twisting the base and bowl in opposite directions;
• use a soft, lint-free cloth;
• allow the glass to cool fully before storing it.

A stem can be one of the more vulnerable parts of a wine glass. Twisting while drying can place unnecessary stress on the connection between the bowl, stem and base.

For the table, combine your glasses with Coasters, Placemats, Napkins or Tablecloths.

How to store wine glasses safely

Store stemmed glasses upright with enough room between the rims. Do not place one glass inside another, and avoid storing heavy kitchen items where they can press against the bowl or stem.

Measure the usable shelf height before ordering a larger set. Tall wine glasses need considerably more vertical clearance than low tumblers.

Keep stored glasses:

• completely dry;
• away from strong household odours;
• separated from heavy crockery;
• positioned so rims do not touch;
• on a stable, level shelf.

For serving at the table, browse Carafes. Serving Jugs are useful for water, while Drinking Bottles and Thermos Bottles suit other situations. See the broader Water Filters & Drinking Bottles range as well.

Wine glasses for dinner, tastings and a home bar

Use Table Accessories to organise the rest of the serving area. Serving Boards and Tiered Serving Stands can keep snacks separate from fragile glassware, while Kitchen Utensils help with preparation.

For corkscrews, stoppers, pourers and related serving tools, browse Wine Accessories.

If you also serve spirits or mixed drinks, Whiskey Accessories and Cocktail Accessories are more relevant. For crown-capped bottles, use Bottle Openers.

Browse Drinks & Bar Accessories

If you keep a separate outdoor smoking area, position it away from wine, food and glassware. Cigarette Accessories can be viewed separately for that space.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wine Glasses

What size wine glass works better for red wine than for white wine?

Red wine is often served in a larger, wider bowl, while white wine generally suits a smaller, narrower bowl. Compare bowl diameter and capacity rather than relying on the label alone, as larger bowls provide more room for swirling.

Can one 370 ml wine glass be used for both red and white wine?

Yes. A medium-sized universal wine glass can work for both if you prefer not to store several glass types. More specialised shapes may affect how aromas collect and how quickly chilled wine warms.

Why do wine glasses often narrow towards the rim?

A bowl that narrows near the opening helps collect aromas in the space above the wine. The wider middle of the bowl still provides enough room to swirl the wine gently before smelling it.

Why should you hold a wine glass by the stem?

Holding the stem reduces heat transfer from your hand to the wine and keeps fingerprints off the bowl. This is particularly useful with chilled white, rosé and sparkling wines.

How do you dry a wine glass without twisting the stem?

Do not hold the base and bowl while twisting them in opposite directions. Support the bowl separately and use a soft, lint-free cloth so less stress is placed on the stem connection.

Should wine glasses be stored upright or upside down?

Upright storage avoids leaving the glass weight resting on the delicate drinking rim. Leave enough space between glasses so the rims and stems do not touch when items are moved in the cupboard.

Why can stored wine glasses pick up cupboard smells?

Strong-smelling cleaning products, spices or other household items can leave odours inside a closed cupboard. Store wine glasses clean and fully dry, preferably away from strongly scented products.

Is clear glass better than coloured glass for wine tasting?

Clear, colourless glass makes it easier to assess the wine's colour, clarity and development. Coloured glass can work for decorative serving, but it hides some of the visual information used during tasting.

Can sparkling wine be served in a normal wine glass?

Yes. A tulip-shaped wine glass with enough bowl space can work well. A very wide coupe exposes more surface area, allowing carbonation to escape faster than from a narrower glass.

How many wine glasses do you need for six guests?

If you serve one wine at a time, six glasses may be enough. If red and white wine will be served simultaneously, twelve glasses are more practical so each guest has a separate glass for each wine.