Bordeaux glasses

Red Bordeaux has plenty of tannin and body. A tall glass with a large bowl gives that wine room and air, so the tannin feels softer and the aroma develops. The sides curve slightly inwards towards the top and keep the aroma in the glass.

The name says Bordeaux, but the glass suits any full-bodied red: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, malbec, and most red wine from Rioja or Tuscany. For lighter, aromatic wine such as pinot noir, a Burgundy glass is the better choice. Serve full-bodied red at around 16 to 18°C. Any warmer and the alcohol dominates in that large bowl.

All the Bordeaux glasses in this overview are by Spiegelau. They differ in price, pack size and what else the collection includes. A collection that also has a Burgundy, white wine or champagne glass can be added to later in the same style.

• Festival and Winelovers. The most affordable per glass, in boxes of 12. Both also have a white wine glass, and Festival a glass for sparkling wine as well.
• Soiree and Superiore. Mid-range, in boxes of 12. Superiore also has a white wine glass.
• Hybrid, Authentis and Vino Grande. Collections with both a Bordeaux and a Burgundy glass, in boxes of 12. Hybrid and Authentis also have glasses for white wine and champagne, Vino Grande a champagne coupe. The Authentis Bordeaux glass holds 65 cl.
• Arabesque. In boxes of 12, with a Burgundy glass and a white wine glass in the same line.
• Definition. In boxes of 6, with a Burgundy, white wine, universal and champagne glass in the same line. The highest priced on this page.

At home one Bordeaux glass is enough for most red wine. If you also often drink pinot noir or white Burgundy, add a Burgundy glass from the same collection. All the shapes for red side by side are under red wine glasses.

In a restaurant the Bordeaux glass is often the workhorse for red. Choose a collection that comes in boxes of 12, such as Festival, Superiore or Authentis, so you top up the cupboard in full boxes. Count per cover, plus the glasses in the dishwasher and a reserve for breakage. If you serve red wine by the glass at the bar, use one Bordeaux glass for every red by the glass. That way every serve looks the same and the cupboard stays tidy.

A young, full-bodied wine gets air faster in a decanter than in the glass. Then pour into the Bordeaux glass, up to the widest point of the bowl.

The price is per glass, including 21% VAT. The box price is that price times 12, or times 6 for Definition. For a smaller household or as a gift, a box of 6 is often the handiest size.

Spiegelau makes its glasses from lead-free crystal glass, which the brand describes as dishwasher safe. A Bordeaux glass is tall: check that it fits upright in your dishwasher without touching the spray arm. If it does not, use a glass rack or wash it by hand in lukewarm water. Dry with a lint-free cloth, holding the glass by the bowl.

Looking for white wine and sparkling glasses too? See all wine glasses.