Oh, hey friend,

It’s been a while since I introduced myself here on the blog. I’m Lisa and I have the joy of managing this little corner of the internet. My parents are the proud owners of Treasure Keeper, and I’m so lucky to work with them bringing the joy of toys and collectibles to families like yours! Sometimes it’s hard to believe that everything we do started with one simple Beanie Baby. You can read that story here.

If you’re like me, you’re probably clueless as to the purpose of most stemware. I tend to entertain with paper plates instead of Waterford Crystal, so I did a lot of research for this blog post! My hope is to one day find that perfect balance of the ease of paper plates and the elegance of entertaining in days gone by. I figure the best place to start is with understanding the mind-boggling variety of stemware. If you’re not sure the difference between a Hock Wine Glass, a Claret Wine Glass or a Balloon Wine glass, then you’re in the right place. I’m about to dive into all the research and share what I find about stemware below. Perhaps by the end, I’ll figure out which stemware will help me find that delicate balance of elegance and ease. 

Let me admit something up front, I’m not a big wine drinker. Before today I knew nothing about the many varieties of wine glasses. After much research, I’m confident that I can guide you through this!

First up, white wine!

White Wine glasses in general have smaller bowls than red wine glasses, and they are narrower at the opening. They are designed to enhance the crisp and delicate flavors and aromas of white wines. Waterford offers a couple different versions of a white wine glass.

Hock Wine Glass 

“Hock” is an old school word for white wine. Hock Wine glasses are best suited to young sweet wines that have been in the bottle less than a year. These glasses are designed to focus the aroma of the wine and direct it towards the nose and enhance the floral and fruity notes. The shorter stem also allows the wine to get slightly warmer, which can bring out more complex flavors. My research recommends using them for Pinot Grigio, Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.

White Wine 

The number of glasses that Waterford offers can be overwhelming, but most patterns have a White Wine glass. They’re a bit taller and have a smaller bowl than the wine hocks. These glasses are designed to keep your wine cool and unlock flavor, no matter what kind of white wine you’re sipping on. 

Red wine glasses tend to be large,and bowl shaped with wide openings to allow for the wine to breathe. As the wine breathes, it releases its aroma which enhances the complex flavors of full-bodied red wines. Of course, Waterford offers a few varieties here too.

Oversize Wine Glass

Oversized wine glasses have a large bowl and a wide opening, which allows the wine to breathe and develop its full aroma and flavor profile. These glasses are suitable for serving full-bodied red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Claret Wine

Waterford’s Claret glasses are their version of the Bordeaux glass. These are the tallest red wine glasses but have a smaller bowl than other red wines. This design is intended to concentrate the aroma and flavor of full-bodied red wines and can be the best option for a drier red wine. Experts recommend Bordeaux, Shiraz and Cabernet wines in these glasses.

Balloon Wine Glass

Otherwise known as Burgundy glasses, these glasses have a wide bowl with a narrow opening. This design is intended to enhance the delicate aroma and flavor of lighter red wines, such as Pinot Noir and Grenache. The wide bowl also allows the wine to be swirled and aerated, which can help to release its aromas and flavors.

Goblets 

Whether you’re drinking red, or white wine, Waterford’s goblets come in nearly every pattern and are your best choice for a universal drinking glass. Goblets tend to be larger than other wine glasses and have a shorter stem. Though Waterford refers to these simply as goblets, many users call them water goblets. Don’t let the name fool you. They’re perfect for water, white wine, red wine and even cocktails if you’re feeling adventurous!

The Bottom Line: 

If you’re looking to elevate your next dinner party, crystal wine glasses are the way to go. Personally, I’m content with one glass for both red and white wines. If you’re in the same boat, I recommend looking at Waterford Goblets. Explore Waterford’s many patterns, then decide if you prefer the standard or the tall option. Bam! You’ve got the perfect wine glass.

If you’re a wine connoisseur, I recommend the white wine glasses and Claret Wine glasses. This way you can take in all the subtle notes of your red and white wines. 

Don’t worry, I didn’t forget Champagne glasses for those extra special celebrations!

If you’re ready to pop some bubbly, you need Champagne glasses. Though there’s less options than wine glasses, there’s still a few options to consider.

Coupes – a 1920’s classic

Sometimes called a sherbet, these glasses have a wide, short bowl allowing for increased aeration. While bubbles may dissipate faster, the aroma and flavor are intensified. They’ve fallen out of fashion in recent years, but these really are perfect for champagne cocktails (or a champagne tower if you’re feeling extra fancy).

Flutes

These are probably exactly what you picture when you think of champagne glasses. Tall and narrow, they allow for the maximum duration of your bubbly goodness. Many flutes even have subtle ridges on the inside to draw the bubbles upwards and create the classic champagne look we all expect. Flutes are idea for dry and semi-dry champagnes.

Tulips

Combining the wider bowl of the Coupe, with the narrow mouth, Tulip Champagne glasses allow for maximum aroma while preserving the bubbles. They’re the best choice when you have a full-bodies sparkling wine or champagne. While these seem like the best of both worlds, they aren’t very popular and thus difficult to find.

Essentially, unless you’re throwing a 1920’s themed party, you’re probably going to want the classic champagne flute. These glasses are known and loved, meaning they come in every pattern and are readily available. 

With so many options out there, the balance of ease and elegance is challenging. If you’re a millennial like me, looking to elevate your hosting game without overflowing your home, I highly recommend a universal wine glass like Waterford’s goblets and a set of champagne flutes.

Now that you’ve settled on what kind of glasses you need, it’s time to pick your pattern. This is the fun part in my opinion. I’ll be back next week to share the most popular Waterford patterns.

Have the best week!