Wine glass manufacturers have spent many years perfecting their products to enable wine enthusiasts to enjoy the full potential of what’s inside the glass. Below are some key points to consider when deciding which wine glass to use:

• Tulip-shaped glasses are designed to intensify the aromas of the wine. There are currently two trends when it comes to glasses: those that are rounded, and those with an angular bowl.
• Glasses with thin walls and a sharp edge to the rim are essential for bringing out the finesse of the aromas.
• The stem of the glass is also a crucial consideration when it comes to the optimal taste experience. It enables the glass to be easily swirled, and also prevents any unwanted warming from the heat of your hand.

Building up a good inventory of wine glasses may take time, but wine enthusiasts can get off to a good start with high-quality universal wine glasses, which are good all-rounders for any type of wine. However, those who want to experience the multitude of nuances in their wine will need to use the right glass for the right wine.

1. Sekt

The classic teardrop flute is the most common type of Sekt glass. This shape emphasises the fruit and freshness of sparkling wines and allows the tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide rising to the surface to be easily admired. Thanks to the nucleation point etched into the bottom of the glass, the bubbles all rise from the same point and create a more uniform sparkling effect.

2. Classic, fresh white wine

This type of glass, or one of a similar shape, is a must-have for any wine connoisseur. It is best suited to fruity, light- to medium-bodied, dry white wines. Ideal wines to drink from this glass include Welschriesling, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner, Gemischter Satz and any of the Pinots. The character of tangy, aromatic wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Muskateller, Scheurebe, Traminer, Müller-Thurgau, etc.) or a zesty Schilcher is also enhanced by this type of glass. Provided that the glass is not too large, the tulip shape enhances the bouquet. If you only want to use one type of high-quality glass for wine, this shape is the best all-rounder for both whites and reds.

3. Premium white wines

The classic glass for mature or full-bodied white Pinot wines is suitable for premium whites that have been matured in barriques (especially Chardonnay). However, it also lends itself to other dense white wines such as complex, mature Grüner Veltliners, which have a powerful body and require a wide glass to develop fully. The Burgundy glass described below can also be used for rare, powerful wines.

4. Rosé

Rosé is also best served in a glass that is not too wide and tapers towards the top as this concentrates the aromas of the wine. This type of glass, either with or without a flared lip, ensures that the rosé wine flows directly to the taste zones of the tongue, emphasising the delicate interplay of fruit and acidity.

5. Fruity red wines

A medium-sized glass in this shape or similar is a good all-rounder for red wines. The concentration of fragrances in this type of glass is not as extreme as in a Burgundy glass, for example. The fragrance rises slowly to the nose in these glasses, allowing the drinker to discern the bouquet more precisely. They are ideal glasses for classic Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Blauer Portugieser wines.

6. Premium red wines

As with the smaller universal glass, the bowl of a large Bordeaux glass is slightly bulbous at the base and tapers towards the top. This shape allows the bouquet to concentrate elegantly, without being too intense. Its large capacity makes this glass ideal for Große Reserve wines produced from Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah, or full-bodied cuvée blends of these varieties. The bouquet of these wines, which are often matured in barriques, develops to perfection in this type of glass.

Full-bodied Pinot Noirs, as well as other premium red wines with complex bouquets and somewhat higher acidity, require a large, bulbous glass so that the aroma can develop as fully and as quickly as possible, concentrating directly above the surface of the wine. The aroma should be enjoyed before taking the first sip. Very full-bodied wines can also be drunk out of a Burgundy glass. This type of glass lends itself perfectly to Pinot Noir and St. Laurent wines, as well as a few Blauburgers and mature, particularly complex Blaufränkisch wines with no distinct wood notes. The shape of these glasses is also suitable for alternative wine styles, such as orange wine.

7. Sweet wines

Premium sweet wines have an extremely intense bouquet, which is further heightened by the influence of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). This is usually offset by a relatively low alcohol content in relation to the extract. The appreciation of the bouquet can therefore be enhanced to perfection with a heavily tapered glass. Options here include small, tulip-shaped glasses, universal glasses and special glasses with an inverted pear shape.