If you’re going to invest in a great bottle of wine, then you should have a good set of glasses to drink it with. Why? A wine’s aroma is largely determined by the shape of the glass’s bowl—the thickness, meanwhile, can impact taste. This is especially important if you’re drinking Bordeaux, as it’s a complex, fuller bodied wine that benefits from being sipped from a glass with a larger bowl.
As the name would suggest, Bordeaux wine hails from the Bordeaux region of France. One of the most coveted and renowned wines in the world, Bordeaux is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. But every winery does it differently. In fact, the ratio of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is determined by geography. Wineries on the east bank of the Girone estuary, which runs through the center of the region, typically have more Merlot. Wines on the right bank, however, have a higher level of Cabernet Sauvignon.
No matter what your preference, you’ll want a glass that does your vintage justice. Here are four of the best Bordeaux glasses on Amazon to choose from.
1. Riedel Cabernet Sauvignon Glasses
When you think of quality wine glasses, you think of Reidel. And there’s a reason for that: The Austrian manufacturer touts itself as the inventor of varietal specific stemware, and they’ve been at it for about 300 years. It’s no wonder that their crystal Bordeaux glasses are top notch. They feature a delicate rim that enhances the wine’s taste, while a large bowl brings its aroma to life. Bonus: The set is dishwasher safe.
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2. Schott Zwiesel Red Wine Glass
While the guidelines for a good Bordeaux glass are clear—a large bowl being chief among them—they don’t all have to look the same. Schott Zwiesel’s set of six crystal glasses have a bit more style, with a geometric bowl that has crisp, straight lines. Of course, if you’re a real stickler for a wine glass with a large bowl that can hold a lot of vino, these may not be for you: They can hold 18.6 ounces, which is respectable, but not as much as some of the other glasses on this list.
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3. Luxbe Crystal Wine Glasses
Luxbe’s wine glasses have been engineered to bring the most out of your full-bodied Bordeaux. Crafted from premium lead-free crystal, each glass in the set of four features a long stem and large bowl. This means you can swirl up to 16 ounces of wine at a time to really unleash its flavor. The glasses also sport a tapered rim that directs the wine toward your front palate to highlight the rich fruit notes while tempering acidity. At the same time, this shape helps to channel aromas up your nostrils to allow the wine to permeate your olfactory senses. As a bonus, the set is stylish and modern. It can also be thrown in the dishwasher after use for easy cleanup.
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4. RÖD Wine Red Wine Glasses
Bordeaux glasses make a great gift. What makes that gift even better is if said glasses are packaged in a big, beautiful box like RÖD Wine’s. And the three crystal glasses are nothing to scoff at either: They each have a sizable bowls and can be run through the dishwasher without a worry. And if you’re a beginner, the set comes with an e-book that outlines wine regions, pairings and more.
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