All the wine goblets you may have seen can fall into two broad categories – stemmed and stemless.  For those that do not know the difference between the two, the stem is the long, skinny part of the goblet right below the cup and connects to the base that it stands upright on.  A stemless wine goblet is basically just a cup that is flat on the bottom to support itself up.   The most common type is the stemmed varieties, though you may have seen some wine connoisseurs touting a stemless kind.  Is there really a difference between the two types, and which is best for you?

Proper Handling

The first thing to note is how each type is supposed to be held.  Stemmed goblets are meant to be held by the stem, even though it may not feel comfortable for some.  The main purpose of the stem is to inhibit the flow of heat from your hand into the wine.  This way, the wine will not heat up too quickly or too much which will debase the taste of the wine.  It allows you to control the temperature easier through aeration only.  Having a stem is best for all white wines and light-bodied reds.

Stemless wine goblets forgo this notion and must be held by the container itself.  The heat from your hand will warm up the wine much quicker.  For a lot of wines, this can be bad.  However, for the most full bodied red wines that are best savored when almost at room temperature, heating up quickly proves advantageous.  Otherwise, you will have to wait longer before your wine is at optimal drinking temperature.

To sum it up neatly, stems are best for wines that are meant to be served cold, including white wines and the lighter bodied reds.  Stemless are better used as red wine goblets for those full bodied and earthy reds.  Be sure to shop for wine goblets according to what suits your palate the best.

Be Careful!

Finally, there is also the “safety factor.”  The stem of a wine goblet raises the center of gravity higher and makes it very easy to topple over.  Anyone who has held a goblet before knows how careful you must be.  Needless to say, the consequences can be messy.  For goblets without a stem, it is much easier to keep them upright and are not as great of a risk of falling over.  Not that big of a deal, but something to consider nonetheless.

Red wines are described as being light, medium or full bodied.   Light bodied is used to describe the red wines that are not very concentrated and don’t pack that much of a punch.  They usually generally have a light color and low tannin level.  White Zinfandel is a popular light bodied red wine.  Despite the fact that Zinfandel grapes have dark skins, they are removed before they release significant color and tannins into the juice.  As a result, it has a rosy pink color (also known as a blush.)

On the other end of the scale, full bodied indicates a red wine that is very concentrated.  It is the most flavorful and has a very darker red color, as well as very high tannin and alcohol levels.  Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular full bodied red wine.

Red wines boast a hearty and powerful taste.  The best type of red wine goblet to use is one with a wide bowl shape that tapers slightly for a narrower opening that will allow room for the aromas to collect inside the goblet.  You will want a goblet with enough room to allow the red wine to breathe.  The aromas and flavors from the wine will undergo a subtle, but pleasant, change as it aerates.  They’re strong taste make it best with rich foods like red meat, dark chocolate and cheeses.

Depending on the strength of the wine (i.e. light bodied, full bodied, etc.), the temperature you serve it at will differ.  Light bodied red wines will be served in the upper 50’s to lower 60’s Fahrenheit.  On the other hand, full bodied wines are served in the upper 60’s Fahrenheit – you want full bodied to be served at a higher temperature so it has an easier time to breathe and the aromas and flavors are released.  The type of wine goblet you use is important when considering temperature too, which I will discuss in a later article.

Overall, the best red wine goblets have a wide base with a narrow mouth that allows the wine to aerate, which enhances its flavors and aromas.

There are is a large variety of goblets to choose from.  They can range anywhere from cheap plastic ones to very expensive pewter wine goblets.  While plastic is good for a party, true wine fanatics would appreciate having a set of crystal wine goblets to share a drink with friends, or a very gaudy goblet to put on display in a study or dining room.

Read along to learn more about the wide assortment of wine goblets available to enjoy both white and red wines.