This post contains a sponsored inclusion of La Crema, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
"Drinking a glass of wine feels elegant in a way that not many other drinks can achieve. It’s incredibly versatile whether you’re enjoying it amongst friends, on a date at a lavish restaurant, or in the comfort of your bed after a long day. With so many types available, most people can find a wine that suits their palate. It’s the perfect beverage to serve at any dinner party because it immediately adds sophistication to an event. However, many don’t realize that using the right glass improves the taste of wine. Not to mention the fact that there are many wine accessories out there that can add to your experience. Which begs the question: What should you consider when choosing the best wine glasses and accessories?
There’s no one better to answer this question than the wine experts at La Crema. They’ve been producing luxury wine from the world’s preeminent wine growing regions since 1979. La Crema’s 40+ years of experience have resulted in a quality of wine that is delicious down to the last sip. They carry a wide range of wines from pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and more. When we asked La Crema’s Master Sommelier, Emily Pickral, exactly why different wines require different glasses, this is what she had to say:
“Aromas play a pivotal role in its overall character. The smaller the bowl of the glass, the harder it is for all those aromas to escape. Larger bowls allow for more oxygen to meet the wine. They also lend themselves towards an easier swirl, which not only looks cool, when executed properly, [but] will aerate the wine and help it open.”
Now that we know the science behind it, here are the 28 of the best wine glasses and accessories based on the type of wine you’re serving.
Red Wine Glasses
Red wines usually have bolder tasting notes than whites, so they need more room in order to aerate properly. La Crema recommends using a larger bowl with more height to create more distance between the wine and the drinker. “A slightly taller glass with a slight taper at the top is designed to focus the fruit and allow plenty of aeration to mellow tannins in these massive red wines,” Pickral suggests.
La Crema
La Crema's Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir offers the exact kind of boldness that comes to mind when you think of red wine. With aromas of raspberry, black licorice, and exotic tea notes, this wine will be a delight to smell all while tasting its flavors of red cherry and hints of espresso.
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Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel
White Wine Glasses
White wines do not need as much room to breathe as reds, so tighter glasses with slightly narrow rims help concentrate the nose of highly aromatic white wines. La Crema also recommends that whites be stored in the fridge then moved to room temperature 15 minutes before serving, so a smaller glass will also help maintain a cooler temperature.
La Crema
Sonoma Coast Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect blend of vibrant scents and exotic tastes. This white wine combines the freshness of citrus blooms, lemon grass, and passion fruit with flavors of kiwi, mango, and guava. Its crisp and juicy finish will surely make your mouth water.
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Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel
Specialty Wine Glasses
Even though there are certain glass measurements for each wine type, we can still have fun with our stemware. We picked a few specialty glasses with details that make them stand out and compliment most wines. However, if you plan on serving champagne or sparkling wine, a great note from La Crema’s Master Sommelier is to skip the flute. “There’s nowhere for those aromas to go! Instead, opt for a white wine or tulip-shaped glass, or a coupe, which is still effortlessly chic-looking.”
La Crema
Chardonnay is a full-bodied white, so it's best served in a glass with a bowl smaller than a red wine glass, but larger than a lighter white wine glass. It has a lovely cocktail aroma of baked apple, Meyer lemon, and pineapple. These scents are followed by flavors of Asian pear and orange-tangerine, so if you prefer a bright and fresh experience, this is the white for you.
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Zara Home
Zara Home
Estelle Colored Glass
Wine Accessories
Now that we have the best wine glasses covered, let’s move on to accessories. There’s almost too many beautiful options for decanters, openers, and stoppers out there, but we’ve managed to narrow the search down for you. If you’re unfamiliar with the use of wine decanters, La Crema’s Master Sommelier provided us with a few additional tips.
“There are two main reasons for decanting wine. The first is physical—to separate clarified wine from solids that have formed during aging. The second is the effect of oxygen, which releases certain compounds bound within the bottle. Both influence the perception of flavor, texture and aroma,” Pickral adds. “First, prepare the wine. If it’s been sitting horizontally in storage for a while, erect it vertically for a couple of days before your party so any solid particles make their way to the bottom of the bottle. If the initial taste of a wine is promising, decanting may not be necessary. Carefully pour the wine directly from the bottle into the glass. If you do choose to decant, use a carafe with a narrow base that offers less opportunity for air to integrate and alter the wine further.”
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Williams Sonoma
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Amazon
Anthropologie
Williams Sonoma
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Amazon
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of La Crema but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.