Red vs. White Wine Glasses: Do You Need Both?
By Bordeaux Brian for Pair It & Share It · Published
BOTTOM LINE
You don't need both. Makers design shapes for specific grapes and styles, but one good all-purpose glass works for most wine. Add a second shape when you regularly drink one style and want the glass its maker designed for it.
Quick decision
- Just starting out→ One all-purpose glass
- Mostly big reds→ Add a red wine glass documented for your grape
- Lots of sparkling→ A Champagne wine glass or a white wine glass
What makers do
Glassmakers such as RIEDEL design different shapes for specific grapes and styles. Those are the maker's recommendations — useful guidance, not a rule that one bowl is the only right choice.
How to decide
Start with what you actually drink most. The Wine Glass Finder shows only glasses whose makers document that wine, and lets you filter by budget and dishwasher care.
Sources
Want a glass its maker actually documents for your wine? The free Wine Glass Finder only shows manufacturer-documented matches. Find My Glass
Want the answer for your exact meal, taste and budget?
General wine advice can get you close. Pair It & Share It narrows it down for you.
About the author. Bordeaux Brian brings more than 30 years of wine experience and firsthand experience in vineyards and wine regions around the world. His focus is practical: helping people make better wine decisions without the intimidation.