Most wine drinkers would agree that different styles of wines demand different types of wine glasses. At its most basic, think of the preferred wine glasses for Champagne and sparkling wines (a flute), red wines (a wine glass with a larger bowl) and white wines (a smaller bowl). This led to the development of the concept that close matching of the type of wine glass to the style of wine would be of benefit to the wine drinker, a concept which a number of manufacturers of wine glasses have grasped firmly with both hands. On such manufacturer is Riedel, an Austrian firm, that makes a huge range of wine glasses, of many different types, suited to every conceivable style of wine available. Personally I feel such a large range is overkill. I suspect most wine drinkers could quite adequately get by with just two or three different types of wine glasses. I would suggest as starting point the three types of wine glasses mentioned above - a standard glass for whites, something a little larger, perhaps, for reds, and of course a flute or similar style for Champagne or sparkling wine.

Wine Glasses for Reds:

The Bowl: Wider
The bigger flavors in reds need to spread out. The wider bowl also lets in more air, which releases bold aromas and flavors.

The Opening: Wider
Dip your nose into the wider bowl to get a load of more complex aromas.

Wine Glasses for Whites:

The Bowl: Narrower
The smaller capacity helps keep temperatures cool longer.

The Opening: Narrower
The lighter aromas waft well in a narrower glass.