Does the Right Glass Really Make a Difference?
Does the wrong glass ruin the right wine?
Not usually.
Does sparkling taste better from a flute? Sometimes.
Can you enjoy a great wine from whatever clean glass happens to be within arm's reach? Absolutely.
We're firmly in the camp that says the best wine glass is the one you've actually got. We've happily drunk excellent wines from tumblers, camping mugs and the occasional coffee cup when circumstances demanded it.
That said, different glass shapes really can change the way a wine smells and tastes. None of it is compulsory, but there are good reasons certain glasses have become associated with certain styles of wine.
Here's what all those different shapes are actually trying to achieve.
Red Wine Glasses
When most people picture a wine glass, they're probably imagining something similar to a classic Bordeaux (or Claret) glass.
These tend to have a larger bowl than white wine glasses, giving you plenty of room to swirl the wine around. That extra contact with air helps soften tannins and opens up aromas, particularly in fuller-bodied reds like Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Delicate reds often prefer something different. Burgundy glasses have an oversized, almost balloon-like bowl that gives lighter, more aromatic wines plenty of space to breathe. Pinot Noir, in particular, loves this style, allowing its perfume and subtle complexity to really shine.
White Wine Glasses
White wine glasses are traditionally smaller, with a narrower opening that helps concentrate fresh, lifted aromas while keeping the wine cooler for longer.
They're ideal for crisp, aromatic styles like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, where freshness is everything.
Richer whites are another story.
An oaked Chardonnay, for example, often benefits from a larger bowl—something like the Burgundy glass used for Pinot Noir. More room means more oxygen, helping release layers of buttery, nutty and stone fruit aromas.
Around our place, these oversized glasses are affectionately known as the "fish bowls". They're also far more fun to swirl.
All Purpose Wine Glasses
The ISO Tasting Glass
You've probably seen these little glasses at wine shows, judging panels or cellar doors without realising they have an official name.
The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) tasting glass was developed as a universal standard for evaluating wine. Based on a design created by France's INAO in 1970, it provides a consistent way to assess aroma, colour and flavour across thousands of wines.
They're not glamorous, but they're brilliantly functional.
Today they're still the glass of choice at many wine competitions and have even enjoyed something of a comeback in minimalist wine bars, where practicality has somehow become fashionable.
If you're only going to own one style of wine glass, an ISO glass is a surprisingly sensible option.
Paris Goblets
These chunky, round-bowled stemmed glasses seem to appear everywhere—pubs, cafés, wedding venues and community halls.
They're the hospitality industry's workhorse: sturdy, stackable, dishwasher-safe and inexpensive. If Aunty Lois drops her fifth glass of Prosecco at your cousin's engagement party, nobody's losing any sleep over it.
Despite their humble reputation, they're actually better than many people give them credit for. Renowned wine writer Hugh Johnson once described them as "not far short of ideal for either Burgundy or Claret."
Historically, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) even recognised Paris goblets alongside ISO glasses as suitable for professional wine tasting. They tick the two most important boxes: a stem to stop your hand warming the wine, and a gently tapered rim that concentrates aromas.
Not bad for a glass you usually find beside the beer taps.
Port Sippers: Novelty or Actually Useful?
If you've ever spotted one of these peculiar glasses, you've probably wondered what on earth it was for.
Port sippers were developed in Australia during the early 1970s by Argyle Wine Tools. They work by drawing the wine from the bottom of the glass through a built-in tube, meaning very little oxygen comes into contact with the wine remaining in the bowl.
In theory, this slows oxidation and helps preserve delicate, older fortified wines.
Does it work? To an extent.
Do many collectors sip their prized Vintage Port this way?
Not really.
Like many wine gadgets, they're equal parts conversation starter and genuine innovation.
So... Does the Glass Matter?
Yes—but probably not as much as people sometimes make out.
The right glass can help highlight a wine's best features. Aromas become more expressive, textures can feel softer, and flavours may seem more focused.
Will using the "wrong" glass ruin a great bottle?
Not a chance.
If you've got the perfect stemware, fantastic.
If not, pour yourself a glass, swirl it if you can, and enjoy the wine for what it is. That's always been the most important rule.