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Red wine wants air
Red wine has tannins and bold aromas that only emerge when the wine comes into contact with oxygen. A large, rounded bowl provides a large surface area exposed to air and room to swirl. That's why a red wine glass holds 45 to 75 cl, sometimes more, even though you only pour 12 to 15 cl. The more space above the wine, the more aromas collect.
The wide rim spreads the wine across your tongue, making the tannins feel softer. Read about the different shapes for red wine in our article about the Burgundy or Bordeaux glass.
White wine wants to stay cold
White wine is served at 8 to 12 degrees, and its charm lies in its freshness and acidity. In a large glass, a small amount of wine warms up quickly and loses its freshness. A narrower glass of 30 to 45 cl keeps the wine cooler and its aromas concentrated near your nose. The narrower rim directs the wine to the tip of your tongue, where the acidity and fruit come through best.
Full-bodied white wine, such as an oak-aged chardonnay, falls somewhere in between and can be served in a larger glass. Treat rosé like white wine.
Do you need both?
Not necessarily at home. A universal glass of 45 to 55 cl does justice to both wines and saves cupboard space. You only really taste the difference with a special bottle. If you drink red and white every weekend, a set of six of each is a lovely addition, from the same range so they look good together. Read our article about the universal wine glass.
Find all sizes and shapes in the wine glasses collection, with separate collections for red wine glasses and white wine glasses.
The right glass
The Schott Zwiesel Banquet wine glass holds 36.8 cl and is a classic white wine glass made from Tritan crystal glass. The RCR Aria Burgundy glass holds 72 cl, for red wines that need to breathe. Find all series in the wine glasses collection.
Schott Zwiesel Banquet wine glass 36.8 cl (6 pieces)
RCR Aria Burgundy glass 72 cl (6 pieces)
Good to know
Can you drink white wine from a red wine glass?
Yes, and with a full-bodied white wine, that’s even better. With crisp white wine, it warms up faster; pour a little less each time.
Why is a white wine glass smaller?
Because white wine needs to stay cold and loses its freshness in a large bowl. Less air, less warming.
What size for rosé?
The same as for white wine, 30 to 45 cl. Read all about sizes in our article on wine glasses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a red and a white wine glass?
A red wine glass is larger and rounder (45 to 75 cl) to let the wine breathe. A white wine glass is smaller and slimmer (30 to 45 cl) to keep the wine cool and fresh. Browse our wine glasses.
Does the glass really affect the taste?
Yes. The size determines how much air the wine gets and how quickly it warms up; the rim determines where the wine lands on your tongue.
Do you need both red and white wine glasses?
Not at home. A universal wine glass of 45 to 55 cl works well for both. If you drink wine often, two sets are worth having.
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