White Wine Glasses
White wine glasses vary enormously in size and shape, from the delicately tapered Champagne flute, to the wide and shallow glasses used to drink Chardonnay. Different shaped glasses are used to accentuate the unique characteristics of different styles of wine. White wines which are best served slightly oxidized are generally full flavored wines, such as oaked chardonnay. For lighter, fresher styles of white wine, oxidization is less desirable as it is seen to mask the delicate nuances of the wine. To preserve a crisp, clean flavor, many white wine glasses will have a smaller mouth, which reduces surface area and in turn, the rate of oxidization. In the case of sparkling wine, such as Champagne or Asti Spumante, an even smaller mouth is used to keep the wine sparkling longer in the glass. This section will examine three different types of white wine glasses.
Sauvignon Blanc Wine Glasses
The perfect Sauvignon Blanc glass is tall and slim, offering the freshness and aromas of the wine on the nose. The glass has a long stem and narrow bowl, slightly tapered at the top. The volume ranges from 5/6 ounces.
Chardonnay Wine Glasses
Chardonnay glasses have a wide bowl and a slightly tapered top. The volume can be anywhere from 5/7 ounces, leaving plenty of room for swirling and sipping. Possessing a longer stem, Chardonnay glasses are focused on keeping the wine as cool as possible
Riesling Wine Glasses
Narrower and taller than Chardonnay glasses, Riesling glasses are made to concentrate the fruity aromas in the upper portion of the glass. The volume ranges from 6/7 ounces, and a longer stem keeps the wine chilled; the sweet nature of Riesling calls for a cool serving.