Buying guide for Best Bordeaux wine glasses
To get the most out of your wine, you need the right glass. This is especially true for Bordeaux, a beloved wine from the Bordeaux region of France that offers diverse and delectable reds (and whites) that are often enjoyed years or even decades after they’re bottled.
The complex and exciting nature of Bordeaux wine, particularly Bordeaux red, mandates that you take every step necessary to maximize flavor and taste. To simply buy a bottle and pour it into any old glass would be to waste its unique qualities. Like other robust wines, Bordeaux requires the right glass for you to properly receive its aromas and notes.
Key considerations
Storage
Bordeaux glasses are likely larger than most glasses in your cupboard. Make sure you have physical space to put them on a shelf. If they don’t fit in your cupboard, you have a few alternatives: you could hang them below a shelf using a hanging wine glass holder or place them on a bar cart. Some wine racks also have specific wine glass storage.
Breakage
Bordeaux glasses, like most wine glasses, are particularly delicate. Keep the probability of breakage in mind. Accidents happen, and there is a good chance you will have to replace a Bordeaux glass, especially if you have kids or animals running around.
Stemmed vs. stemless
Bordeaux glasses may be stemmed or stemless. Glasses with stems exude an elegant, classic look but easily tip, spill, and break. Stemless glasses are sturdier, and the reduced height makes them easier to store.
Quantity
Most wine glasses, Bordeaux glasses included, are sold in sets of two, four, six, or even eight. You may pay a lower price per glass if you opt for a larger set. Consider how many people will be drinking wine and how often. Owning fewer glasses may mean you have to wash and dry them more often, but owning a large number of glasses will take up more space — and as we’ve mentioned, large Bordeaux glasses can be difficult to store.
Accessories
Decanter: Wine Enthusiast Crystal Decanter
Bordeaux and other medium- and full-bodied reds should be aerated before serving. Pour your bottle into this elegant lead-free decanter from Wine Enthusiast before enjoying a glass.
Wine opener: HiCoup Professional Waiter’s Corkscrew
A durable, high-quality wine opener is essential to have on hand, especially for older bottles of Bordeaux. This option from HiCoup can tackle any cork to get your bottle open quickly.
Wine preserver: Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump
You never want your wine to go to waste, especially a high-end bottle. A wine preserver like this inexpensive option from Vacu Vin will keep your wine fresh longer.
Wine rack: Connoisseur’s Delight Metal Wine Rack
Store your bottles of wine easily and conveniently with a wine rack. This option from Connoisseur’s Delight is a sturdy and simple storage solution for your red wine.
Did you know?
Serving red wine requires a proper pour. Hold the thick part of the bottle with one hand, tilt it into the glass about an inch above, and turn and lift simultaneously when done.
STAFF
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Bordeaux wine glass prices
Inexpensive
For under $30, you can purchase a set of two or four Bordeaux glasses, especially of the stemmed variety.
Mid-range
For between $30 and $50, you can purchase a set of four or six stemmed or stemless crystal Bordeaux glasses. You may find a discounted set of eight as well.
Expensive
Spending over $50 will get you a set of four, six, or eight Bordeaux glasses of the stemmed or stemless variety. They will likely be made of lead-free crystal.
Tips
Decant first. If you don’t decant your Bordeaux before drinking, you’re diminishing the use of the glass and the wine. Decant at least 30 minutes before drinking.
Never fill to the top. Wine glasses are designed so the aromas will collect in the air above the wine. Filling to the top depreciates the wine.
Stems don’t matter. Shape is far more important than whether a glass has a stem. Stemmed glasses are mainly useful in preserving temperature, as they prevent your hands from warming up the glass.
Look at the shape. Some makers say their glasses are for “all red wines” or that they are “universal.” These glasses may be adequate for Bordeaux, but the oversized, wide-mouthed shape is generally the best option.
FAQ
Q. Can I use a Bordeaux wine glass for other wines?
A. It’s understandable that a household may not have the space or money to invest in a wide variety of wine glasses. Fuller-bodied whites would do well in a Bordeaux glass, while other light- to medium-bodied reds wouldn’t necessarily be harmed by the oversized glass.
Any full-bodied, robust red, including cabernet sauvignon, would be well-served in a Bordeaux glass. Reds with high tannin counts in particular are better enjoyed in a large, wide-mouthed glass.
Q. How should I wash my Bordeaux wine glasses?
A. Like most wine glasses, a Bordeaux wine glass should be washed by hand, especially if it is of the stemmed variety. Washing Bordeaux wine glasses in the dishwasher could easily lead to breakage if items were to collide inside. Ideally, wine glasses should be carefully washed by hand, polished to prevent water spots, and stored. (Some stemless glasses may be safe to wash in the dishwasher, provided nothing is going to move within.)
Q. How long do Bordeaux wine glasses last?
A. Bordeaux wine glasses can last a lifetime. As mentioned, they are delicate and may succumb to accidents, but wear and tear isn’t a factor. Unlike many other consumer goods, wine glasses don’t upgrade or evolve; Bordeaux is an age-old wine that has long been enjoyed and will continue to be enjoyed far into the future.
