Does Glassware Affect the Taste of Wine? Find Out!

Many generations of wine connoisseurs and wine experts—plus wine lovers—have debated over which wine glass shapes are the best to convey the virtues of wine. Wherever you are in your wine journey, from beginner to seasoned pro, we’re here to tell you that the glass does matter.

If you’ve ever seen a sommelier artfully taste wine, you know there’s a lot more to it than just pouring and drinking. Full appreciation of wine comes from sight, smell and taste, and the right glass for the right wine enhances all three. Fortunately, we’ve made it easy for you!

We’re so serious about just the right vessel that we have a dedicated Bormioli Luigi Research Group that exists to associate the most appropriate geometrical shapes to each single type of wine. We work with industrial design and development experts to ensure that every Luigi Bormioli glass you choose will result in the very best views, aromas and tastes.

Anatomy of the Right Glass

All Luigi Bormioli stemglasses are carefully and specifically designed to emphasize the role of “touch.” You’ll appreciate the wine’s true color and how touch’s nuances enhance the wine’s aroma.

• Long, thin stems keep your hands off the bowl so you can see true color and clarity while maintaining the serving temperature. You can grasp that stem with confidence knowing it’s TITANIUM Reinforced to give it muscle.
• There’s a correct balance between the bowl, the stem and the correctly sized foot to make swirling easier and smoother, resulting in fully released aromas.

• We’ve crafted the perfect ratio between the filling diameter and the mouth diameter so the “head space”—the space between the wine and the top of the glass—shows off the wine’s personality. This means you get optimal aromas with each and every sip you take.
• Our bowl walls have the correct “focus point” to bring just the right aromas directly to the nose.
• Last, but certainly not least, the mouth’s shape guides the wine toward the right areas of the tongue for just the right sip.

We’re proud our glasses are made of the purest raw materials in highly innovative production processes that give you a glass that’s totally transparent and sparkling—our proprietary SON.hyx ultra high-tech glass makes it so. Not only does the shape enhance the aroma and flavor but the crystal-clarity shows off the wine's true color as well.

Ok, we get it: that’s a long way of saying we work hard to give you exceptional glasses so you can see, smell and taste the very best of what each wine style has to offer. Did we mention there are no heavy metals and our processes are eco-friendly? And that our glasses made with our SON.hyx formula are guaranteed against chipping on the rim or foot and for any discoloration or cloudiness resulting from dishwasher washing? Your Luigi Bormioli will stand the test of time.

Certified Amazing

Centro Studi Assaggiatori is the most advanced and complete sensory assessment in Italy, including thousands of tests with consumers that have resulted in one of the largest archives in Italy reflecting decades-long changes in tastes and trends. This is the platinum standard: many Italian and foreign universities cooperate with Centro Studi Assaggiatori on research. We’re honored to be certified by this organization.

We’re also humbled that American Sommelier deems our Supremo collection one that “makes wine sing” and uses it in every class they teach. They call Supremo “a great tool for the beginner to the pro that has an all-purpose allure for how wines behave in it.”

Need more proof? Hard to argue with science. Scientific American reported on putting glass shape to the test in “Wine Snobs Are Right: Glass Shape Does Affect Flavor.” While we may argue with the term “snob,” we can’t argue with a really cool experiment that included a specially infused mesh put atop wine glasses to produce color images of how ethanol (alcohol) leaves the glass. The conclusion, in a nutshell: “Different glass shapes and temperatures can bring out completely different bouquets and finishes from the same wine. ... Accordingly, wine glass shape has a very sophisticated functional design for tasting and enjoying wine.” Read the original article in Chemistry World for the full techie 411.

Brains, Brawn and Beauty

We know that smartly made glasses that not only give you the very best wine-tasting experience but can also be put in the dishwasher are very attractive—but you might be wondering how they look on your table or bar. Luckily, our glasses are as good-looking as they are functional. There’s a Luigi Bormioli glass for every occasion, décor and setting. Put them to the test with your friends and family with our free printable wine tasting mat. We know the results will be delicious good fun.

At Luigi Bormioli, we take pride in our Italian-crafted, superior quality glassware. Your glasses, created using our proprietary SON.hyx ultra-clear formula, will retain their brilliant and transparent appearance and are backed by our 25-year guarantee that guards against chipping on the rim or foot, as well as discoloration or cloudiness resulting from washing. You will enjoy their beauty, durability and strength for many years to come. We aim to enhance your tabletop lifestyle and entertaining experience with a glass for every occasion. When the moment matters, the glass matters.