The Comprehensive Guide to Glassware
The ultimate resource for discovering the perfect glass for every type of beverage.
We love wine glasses, but we also understand that the right vessel can elevate the enjoyment of everything from a crisp beer to a classic cocktail. This guide will discuss the most commonly used types of glassware, the purposes they serve, and why the design of the glass is important.
The Versatility of Glassware: From Wine to Water
Wine glasses are designed to capture the uniqueness of a varietal, while other glasses are built with the shape to highlight what they hold. Knowing about these shapes may better your drinking experience.
Wine Glasses
Selecting the correct glass can really improve your appreciation of a wine’s subtle and complex characteristics. Each style of wine benefits from a shaped glass in which to maximize aeration, focus aromas, and showcase the wine. Spend some time exploring the world of wine glassware, and understand how the ideal glass changes your tasting experience.
Red Wine Glasses
Red wine glasses are large, wide bowls, allowing maximum aeration. There are many complex wines that need to “breathe”, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
White Wine Glasses
White wine glasses generally have smaller bowls, which keep the wine cooler, with concentrated delicate floral aromas. Smaller red wine glasses can also be used as white wine glasses, if you prefer the shape and style.
Sparkling Wine & Champagne Glasses
Sparkling wine, like champagne, prosecco, and cava, is all about effervescence and celebratory joy. The correct sparkling wine and champagne glasses are specifically built for maximizing the lively bubbles and delicate aromas of sparkling wine. Learn that the various shapes of sparkling wine and champagne glasses can promote a more bubbly and aromatic experience and transforms each sip into a celebration. We have put all sparkling wine and champagne glasses together as champagne glasses, and then in subcategories.
Flute Glass
The traditional glass for sparkling wines is typically tall and skinny; the height/depth minimizes the surface area of the sparkling wine which prevents the bubbles from escaping the sparkling wine too quickly, and directs the aromas to the nose.
Coupe Glass
The coupe glass was very popular in the past, but not a very bubbly option because it has a wide shallow bowl that allows bubbles to escape too quickly. The coupe glass has its purpose, and is still stylish for some cocktails or non-sparkling dessert wines.
Beer Glasses
Beer glasses aren’t just drinking vessels; proper glasses are critical to revealing both the flavour and aroma of your favourite beer. From displaying brilliant clarity to sustaining perfect head, each glass shape accentuates certain beer styles. Discover how glass shape can turn a pint into a unique experience.
Pint Glass
The trusty pint glass is a solid option for serving most ales and lagers. This glass has a simple, cylindrical shape that works well and it’s very functional.
Pilsner Glass
Pilsner glasses are tall and slender with a slight taper. A pilsner glass will display color, clarity, and carbonation of the pilsner, keeping the beer’s head intact.
Tankards & Steins
Typically used for hot beverages or large quantities of beer, these are defined by their handle, which prevents your hand from getting too warm or cold.
Snifter
With a wide bowl and narrow rim, the snifter easily allows you to capture complex aromas. They are perfect for enjoying high alcohol beers like imperial stouts and double IPAs. The snifter design allows for swirling the beer to create aroma.
Cocktail Glasses
Mixing drinks is not only about the ingredients; it’s also about presentation. The cocktail glass you choose is important for the overall look and experience of your drink. Explore different types of cocktail glasses and how each is designed to highlight certain characteristics of a drink from coldness to complex garnishes and aromatics.
Martini Glass
The classic V-shaped glass with a long stem is used for drinks served “up” (without ice). The long stem keeps your hand from warming up the drink, while the large opening allows the aromatic components of the drink to shine through.
Old Fashioned Glass (aka Rocks Glass)
The Old Fashioned, or rocks glass, is a short, wide tumbler glass meant for cocktails or spirits served “on the rocks” (with ice). The wide rim is also great for muddling!
Highball Glass
A long, narrow tumbler for “long drinks”; (cocktails that contain a great proportion of non-alcoholic mixer). Great for drinks like a Gin & Tonic or a Cuba Libre, which use a large amount of mixer and ice.
Hurricane Glass
This large glass is made for tropical and frozen cocktails – Hurricane, Piña colada – and shows off your drink with a unique curvy shape and short stem, allowing for a lot of liquid and drawn-out visual presentation.
