Wine Glass Dimensions (with Drawings)
When you open your favorite bottle of wine, you may grab any glass available. However, each type of wine has a specific glass that enhances and balances the wine’s flavor. Use this as a guide to choose the best wine glass for your next bottle of wine.
On average, wine glasses are 6 to 10 inches tall, though size can vary for specialty glasses. Red wine glasses are slightly taller than white wine glasses, about 8 inches tall. Most white wine glasses are 6 to 7 inches tall.
What’s the Average Size Wine Glass?
The average wine glass is 6 to 10 inches tall. Red wine glasses are about 8 inches tall, often taller than white wine glasses with larger bowls. This is said to concentrate the aroma of the wine.
White wine glasses tend to be shorter at 6 to 7 inches tall and have slightly smaller bowls. Short-stemmed glasses like port glasses are typically 5 to 6 inches tall.
Parts of a Wine Glass
The anatomy of a wine glass is relatively similar. Most have a base, stem, bowl, and rim. There are 11 different types of wine glasses, and they mostly have the same parts.
Wine Glass Base
The base of the wine glass, also known as the foot, gives the glass stability. The base should be thick and sturdy to prevent the glass from tipping over.
Wine Glass Stem
The stem of the wine glass is what connects the base and the bowl. The stem gives the drinker the correct grip to keep the temperature of the wine consistent.
Wine Glass Bowl
The bowl of the wine glass is what holds the wine. The bowl varies in size depending on the wine, but it should be large enough to swirl the wine around the glass. By swirling the wine, you release the aromas, which elevates the taste.
The bowl of the glass should be tapered so that the aroma lingers for a bit. Red wine glasses often have wider bowls than white wine glasses.
Wine Glass Rim
The rim is the uppermost part of the bowl where you drink the wine. A thinner rim is preferred so that the wine falls down smoothly. The size and shape of the rim also direct the wine to the ideal area of the palate.
Smaller rims tend to balance sweetest and acidity while narrow rims trap aromas inside of the glass. The purpose of this is so your nose can smell the aroma inside of the glass.
Types of Red Wine Glasses
Red wine glasses tend to have rounder and wider bowls. These glasses increase the oxidation of the wine to enhance the flavor and aroma.
Typically, red wine glasses range from 8 to 22 ounces, but the standard pour is 5 ounces. The purpose of the extra space inside of the bowl is for the wine to breathe.
Red wine glasses come in several different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of wine. Make sure that your wine rack dimensions meet your taste.
Bordeaux Wine Glass
The Bordeaux wine glass has a tall bowl measuring 21 to 22 ounces. The purpose of this large bowl is to give the wine swirling room. The glass is about 8 inches tall and 3.8 inches wide for both the base and bowl.
The Bordeaux glass is designed for heavier wines such as Cabernet Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Merlot.
The tall glass directs the wine to the mouth instead of staying on your palate. This gives you the flavor of the wine without tasting anything bitter. The height of the glass allows ethanol to dissipate on the nose and for oxygen to lessen the tannins’ effect.
Burgundy Wine Glass
A Burgundy wine glass is designed for more delicate red wines such as Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, red Burgundy, and Dolcetto. The glass has a wider bowl, 4 to 5 inches, and the rim is small and thin. It is about 9 inches tall and has a capacity of 21 to 25 ounces.
The glass is designed so that the wine can touch the tip of the tongue while smelling the wine. The size of the bowl can enhance and balance the aromas of the wine.
Cabernet and Merlot Wine Glass
A Cabernet and Merlot wine glass is similar to the Bordeaux glass in appearance. It is 9.25 inches tall, 3.8 inches wide, and can hold 22 ounces of wine. Some glasses have more narrow rims, but the wide bowl allows the wine to breathe.
Pinot Noir Wine Glass
You can use a Pinot Noir wine glass interchangeably with a Burgundy glass. The Pinot Noir glass is tapered at the top with a slight curve. It is 9 inches tall, 4 to 5 inches wide, and has a capacity of 24 to 28 ounces.
These glasses have the widest bowls but the shortest stems. This is to ensure exposure to the air to improve the aroma and flavor of the wine.
Syrah and Shiraz Wine Glass
The Syrah and Shiraz wine glass is a typical-shaped glass that can hold about 24 ounces. It has a height of 9.2 inches and width of 3.8 inches. The rim tapers inward in order to release the sweet aroma and soften the tannins on the palate.
This glass also has a stemless version that is 5.4 inches tall and 3.8 inches wide. The purpose of a stemless syrah and shiraz wine glass is to prevent breakage but still deliver the same smooth taste.
Zinfandel Wine Glass
A Zinfandel wine glass is smaller than other red wine glasses. The capacity is 13 to 14 ounces with a height of 8 to 9 inches and width of 3 inches. This glass is best for fruitier wines.
The bowl and rim are thin, which helps direct the wine to the center of the tongue. This allows the drinker to taste the complex flavors and acidity.
Types of White Wine Glasses
Unlike red wines, white wines tend to be less intense. The glass, however, has a fancier look because of the color of the wine. White wine glasses are more narrow and U-shaped and help preserve floral aromas and maintain cooler temperatures.
Chardonnay Wine Glass
While most white wine glasses have narrow bowls, Chardonnay wine glasses have a wider bowl, resembling a Pinot Noir glass. The Chardonnay glass can hold 11 to 14 ounces.
The glass has a slightly tapered top, 7 to 8 inches tall and 3 inches wide. The large opening of the Chardonnay glass allows the wine to aerate and release flavor and aroma.
Sauvignon Blanc Wine Glass
The Sauvignon Blanc wine glass has a capacity of 12 ounces, is 8.5 inches tall, and 3 inches wide. The glass is tall and slender, which allows only a small amount of oxygen. The purpose of this is to balance the wine’s acidity.
Riesling Wine Glass
The Riesling wine glass is similar in dimensions to the Zinfandel glass. It has a capacity of 13 to 14 inches, height of 8 to 9 inches, and width of 3.5 inches. The Riesling glass is taller than the Chardonnay glass, which makes it look narrower.
The rim of the glass is smaller in order to send the wine to the center and back of the mouth. The design of the glass can help keep fruity aromas at the top of the bowl. The stem keeps the chilled wine at the correct temperature.
Montrachet Wine Glass
The Montrachet wine glass is the only glass with a larger bowl with a width of 4.8 inches. It can hold about 18 ounces of wine and is 7 inches tall. The wide bowl size allows proper exposure of the wine to the air and releases any aromas.
Types of Sparkling Wine Glasses
Sparklight wines are also white wines, but with carbonation. Sparkling wine glasses tend to be more slender, allowing as little air into the glass as possible.
Check this out if your wine fridge won’t cool.
Flute Glass
The flute glass is a slender glass best for serving champagne. The glass can hold 5 to 8 ounces, has a height of 8 to 9 inches, and width of about 2.8 inches. The taper-free shape of the glass helps to preserve the carbonation, and the longer stem keeps the champagne cold.
Coupe Glass
Typically associated with champagne towers, the coupe glass is a style of vintage glassware. There are 11 top crystal glassware brands, and coupe glass is a fixture of each of them.
It has a capacity of 9.5 ounces, is 6 inches tall, and 4.2 inches wide. The width of the bowl does go against typical carbonation rules, but they’re more for aesthetic than for function.
Rosé Glass
Rosé glasses can hold 11.5 ounces, are 8.5 inches tall, and 3 inches wide. The rim is curved outward in order to direct the wine to the tip of the tongue. The design of the glass emphasizes the sweetness of the wine while balancing the flavors and acidity.
Types of Dessert Wine Glasses
Dessert wine glasses are paired, of course, with desserts. These wines tend to be sweeter with a higher alcohol content. The shape of these glasses balances the sweetness of the wine.
Port Wine Glass
A port glass is similar in shape to the Bordeaux glass but smaller and thinner. The glass is 6.5 inches tall and 2.6 inches wide. It holds about 8.5 ounces of wine.
The purpose of the narrow mouth of the glass is to concentrate the sweet smells and reduce evaporation. The shape of the glass also leads the wine to the center of the mouth, then to the back. This is to emphasize any sweet accents without being overwhelming.
Sherry Wine Glass
Sherry wine glasses come in several different shapes. However, the most common shape is a flute-like glass with a tapered top. It’s best for serving wines with a high alcohol content because it delivers the wine to the back of the mouth.
A sherry wine glass can hold about 4 ounces of wine. It has a height of 7.5 inches and width of 2.4 inches.
Related Questions
What is a universal wine glass?
A universal wine glass is an all-purpose glass that you can use to serve white or red wine. A universal wine glass allows you to serve multiple types of wine without changing up the glass throughout the night. The universal glass is taller than a white wine glass but has a more narrow bowl than a red wine glass. It is typically about 9 inches tall and about 3 inches at the widest part of the glass.
What’s the purpose of a short-stemmed wine glass?
The number one reason people use short-stemmed wine glasses is because of their stability. Short-stemmed wine glasses are less prone to spilling, especially when passing dishes around a dinner table. These glasses are also easier to hold, beneficial for those with dexterity issues.If you prefer certain spirits like brandy, the glass allows for warmth. Short-stemmed glasses are also easier to care for. They can fit easily into a dishwasher rather than long-stemmed glasses, which are more fragile.
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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