Wine Glass
Also known as: stemware, goblet
Definition
A stemmed glass with a bowl shape designed to enhance the aromatics and drinking experience of wine, also used for certain cocktails.
What Is a Wine Glass?
A wine glass is a stemmed glass with a rounded or tulip-shaped bowl optimized for serving wine, but also well-suited to certain cocktails — particularly those with wine as a base ingredient or served in a lower-alcohol spritz format. Wine glasses come in shapes designed for specific wine styles: tall, narrow Bordeaux glasses for tannic reds; wide-bowled Burgundy glasses for aromatic Pinot Noirs; narrower white wine glasses for crisp whites. For cocktails, the standard white wine glass (8 to 12 oz) is the most versatile choice.
Wine Glasses in Cocktail Service
The Aperol Spritz and the broader family of wine-based spritz cocktails are the clearest example of cocktail service in a wine glass. The moderate bowl provides room for ice, a wine or Aperol pour, the splash of soda, and the orange slice garnish. Other cocktails served in wine glasses: Sangria, Kir (white wine and blackcurrant liqueur), Kir Royale, wine-based punches served individually, and low-ABV cocktails where wine's volume and flavor are central.
How Bowl Shape Affects Aroma
The shape of the wine glass bowl affects how aromatic compounds reach the nose. A broad, open bowl allows volatile aromatics to evaporate rapidly — beneficial for wines that need air to open up. A narrower bowl concentrates aromatics and channels them toward the nose. For most cocktails served in wine glasses, these distinctions matter less than for wine itself, but a white wine glass's moderate bowl provides good aromatic presentation.
The Stem's Purpose
The wine glass's stem keeps body heat from reaching the bowl. White wine and Champagne-based cocktails are served cold, and a hand wrapped around the bowl can raise a chilled drink toward room temperature within a few minutes. Always hold by the stem for any chilled drink.
FAQ
Can I use a red wine glass for cocktails? Large red wine glasses are generally too large — the wide bowl disperses aromas quickly and the large volume makes proper portioning awkward.
How should I hold a wine glass? By the stem — always.
Reviewed & Verified by
Gayle Perreault
Bar & Service Manager · 25+ Years Industry Experience · About Jigger & Joy
💡 Pro Tips
- A standard white wine glass is the most versatile for cocktail use — moderate bowl, appropriate volume
- Hold by the stem at all times — a warm palm around the bowl changes the drink's temperature within minutes
- Fill wine-based cocktails (Spritz, Sangria) to about two-thirds, leaving room for ice and carbonation
- Avoid oversized Burgundy-style glasses for cocktails — the wide bowl dissipates aromas immediately
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Using oversized Burgundy-style glasses for cocktails — bowl is too wide, aromas dissipate immediately
- Holding the bowl with a full-hand grip and warming the chilled contents
- Filling a spritz cocktail too full and leaving no room for ice or bubbles
- Using a wine glass for heavy spirit cocktails that belong in purpose-built glassware
