Types of Wine Glasses Explained (and the Only Two Most Homes Need)

Most homes need two shapes, not twelve.

Anatomy of a Wine Glass

• Rim: where your lips meet the glass. A thin rim lets the wine flow smoothly; a narrow opening traps aroma.
• Bowl: the part that holds the wine. A wider bowl gives more surface area for the wine to breathe.
• Stem: lets you hold the glass without warming the wine with your hand.
• Foot (base): keeps the glass stable.

Wine Glass Types at a Glance

A "typical capacity" is the glass's total volume, not how much to pour. A standard pour is much smaller. See how many ounces are in a glass of wine.

Red Wine Glasses

Bordeaux glass

The tall, broad bowl gives full-bodied reds room to breathe, softening tannins, while the height directs the wine toward the back of the mouth. If you only buy one red glass, this is it.

Burgundy glass

The widest bowl of all, designed to collect the delicate aromas of Pinot Noir and other lighter reds. The bowl is wide, but the rim tapers inward to hold the aroma.

Standard red glass

A smaller, all-purpose version of the Bordeaux shape. It's what most restaurants and households use day to day.

White Wine Glasses

White glasses are smaller than red glasses because white wines are served chilled and a smaller bowl keeps them cool longer. A narrower opening also preserves bright, fruity aromas. A slightly wider Chardonnay glass suits fuller, oaked whites.

Sparkling Wine Glasses

• Flute: the classic. Its narrow shape slows bubbles from escaping.
• Tulip: a wine-lover's favorite; the slightly wider middle lets more aroma develop while still holding bubbles.
• Coupe: the shallow, wide vintage glass. Beautiful for toasts and cocktails, but bubbles fade quickly.

Rosé, Dessert & Stemless Glasses

Rosé glasses often have a slightly flared rim that directs the wine to the tip of the tongue to highlight sweetness. Dessert and port glasses are small because the wines are rich and served in small pours. Stemless glasses trade some temperature control for stability and convenience. They're harder to knock over, easier to store, and great for patios, parties, and everyday use.

Which Wine Glasses Do You Actually Need?

• Casual wine drinker: one set of universal or standard red glasses, or a set of stemless glasses.
• Drinks red and white regularly: a Bordeaux or standard red set plus a white set.
• Entertains often: add a set of flutes or tulips for toasts.

Personalized & Engraved Wine Glasses

We laser-etch wine glasses in-house, and the most common question we get is which shape to engrave. Stemless glasses give the largest flat area for names and monograms. Stemmed glasses look more formal and are best for weddings and anniversaries. Laser etching is permanent and holds up to washing; see whether laser-etched glass is dishwasher safe, or read our full laser-etched glassware guide.

Browse engraved wine glasses, from monogram sets to pet-portrait glasses. Whiskey drinker? See our guide to types of whiskey glasses.

Types of Wine Glasses: FAQ

What are the main types of wine glasses?

The main types are red wine glasses (Bordeaux, Burgundy, standard red), white wine glasses, sparkling wine glasses (flute, tulip, coupe), rosé glasses, dessert or port glasses, stemless glasses, and universal glasses.

What is the difference between red and white wine glasses?

Red wine glasses have larger, wider bowls that let the wine breathe and soften tannins. White wine glasses are smaller with narrower openings to keep the wine chilled and preserve its fresh aromas.

Do you really need different wine glasses?

Not necessarily. A universal glass or a standard red glass works well for most wines. Specialized shapes make a subtle difference that enthusiasts enjoy, but most homes are well served by one or two shapes.

Are stemless wine glasses okay for wine?

Yes. Stemless glasses are great for casual drinking and are harder to tip over. The trade-off is that your hand can warm the wine slightly, which matters more for chilled whites than for reds.