We once met two winemakers, both deeply passionate about their craft but with completely different approaches to glassware.
The first had an impressive collection of glasses from nearly every brand imaginable. Yet, when he hosted tastings, he never imposed a specific one. Instead, he let his guests choose the glass they typically use at home. His belief was simple: wine should be experienced in a way that feels natural and familiar, without unnecessary complexity.
The second winemaker, on the other hand, took a curated approach. He carefully selected glasses for each of his wines, convinced that shape, thinness, and weight were essential to expressing the full nuances of his work. For him, the right glass was not just a vessel but an essential tool in translating the wine’s character.
So who was right? Both. Choosing the right glass is as much about science as it is about subjectivity.
With so many options available, choosing a wine glass can feel overwhelming. The key is to focus on what truly matters: shape, manufacturing process, material, and budget. Each of these elements plays a role in how we experience wine, but they should never feel like a constraint. A great glass enhances pleasure, not pressure.
Shape undeniably influences wine by controlling how aromas are directed, how wine flows onto the tongue, and how air interacts with the liquid. That said, does this mean every grape variety needs its own glass? Not necessarily.
For some, especially sommeliers and collectors, having a variety of glasses can help bring out nuances in different wines. For most wine lovers, however, a simple approach is more than enough. A well-chosen glass that covers the essentials—one for reds, one for whites, and possibly one for sparkling—already elevates the experience without unnecessary complexity. If budget or practicality is a concern, universal glasses offer a great solution.
Beyond functionality, the most important aspect is how the glass feels in your hand. The sensory pleasure of holding, swirling, and sipping matters as much as the shape itself. A 900ml glass may allow a wine to open up beautifully, but if it feels awkward or oversized in your hand, the experience is compromised. There’s a balance to find between technical accuracy and personal comfort.
The truth is that wine appreciation is personal. Follow a few basic guidelines for red, white, and sparkling wines, and after that, let instinct guide your choice rather than marketing-driven rules.
Beyond shape, the way a glass is made affects how we interact with wine on a deeper level. The difference between a machine-made glass and a mouth-blown, ultra-thin glass goes far beyond aesthetics—it influences touch, perception, and overall enjoyment.
Machine-made glasses tend to be uniform, thicker, and heavier. While durable and cost-effective, they create a more noticeable barrier between the drinker and the wine. Mouth-blown glasses, on the other hand, are lighter, more delicate, and provide an unparalleled level of refinement. The thin rim disappears against the lips, allowing wine to flow seamlessly onto the palate. The lightness in hand enhances the sensation of elegance, making even simple wines feel more special.
Material also plays a role. Lead crystal and lead-free crystal offer superior clarity and brilliance, allowing wine’s true colors to shine. Standard glass, while more affordable, often lacks the same transparency and finesse. Before even taking a sip, our senses are already absorbing these subtle details—weight, texture, and balance—all of which set expectations before the first taste.
Drinking wine isn’t just about flavor; it’s about the full sensory experience. The act of holding a well-balanced glass, feeling its lightness, and effortlessly swirling the wine creates an intimate connection with what’s inside. Only through ultra-light, thin glass can this precision be fully realized.
That’s an important factor. While it ishighly seen that mouthblown ultralight technical glass are the best experiencefor wine tasting their budget is usually significantly higher.
- Entry-level glasses: Machine-made, thick, durable but less refined, standard glass.
- Mid-range glasses: Machine made, light, crystallin.
- Premium glasses: Machine made, ultralight, lead-free crystal
- Luxury glasses: hand made, ultralight, lead-free crystal.
There is no universal "best" wine glass, only the one that feels right for you. Shape influences wine, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The way a glass interacts with your senses—the way it feels in your hand, the weight, the thinness of the rim—all contribute to the experience just as much as its technical properties.
If a glass makes each sip feel effortless, enhances the moment, and disappears in favor of the wine, then it’s the right one. Wine is about pleasure, not pressure. That’s why at Tanyno, we focus on creating ultra-light, mouth-blown glasses that offer the highest sensory experience—without breaking the bank.
Discover the Tanyno approach to glass making.