First of all…don’t be caught up in the right and wrong way to serve wine…there is no “proper” or “correct” way, just as there is no “incorrect” way.

The shapes of wine glasses vary…the sizes vary…personal choice is always a factor, but there are reasons why certain wines should be served in particular glasses. And keep in mind that the size, shape and color that are chosen will affect the perception of the wine within it.

Unless you’re a wine aficionado, there are 3 basic types of glasses available to you: red wine, white wine and champagne glasses. You'll know how to buy wine glasses once you learn about the 3 basic wine glass types.

Let’s examine the three parts of a wine glass (bowl, stem and foot) and which one is most important in the enjoyment of your wine.

Stem Research: Have you ever stopped to think about the stem of a wine glass and what importance – if any – it holds? Don’t worry – you’re not alone – most people haven’t…but it actually has significant importance.

When drinking white wine, it’s always best to grasp it by the stem. Why…because your body heat will make it difficult to control and maintain the temperature of the chilled wine. White wine glasses are also generally on the narrow side; this allows the chilled wine to retain its desired temperature because less surface area (of the glass) equals less temperature loss due to air circulation. A narrower glass also acts to concentrate the delicate aromas of lighter white wines.

The Bold and the Beautiful: Red wines, on the other hand, are normally rounder and wider than those used to drink white wine. These glasses are designed this way to direct the wine to the back of your mouth. Extra large bowls work more effectively with the aromas of red wine and direct the wine to the tip of your tongue. Again, it is best to hold the glass by the stem so as not to alter the temperature of the wine…in this case, making it too warm.

Tiny Bubbles: Champagne is traditionally served in flutes…or tall, slender, tulip-shaped glasses with a very narrow bowl. The visual effect of champagne glasses is heightened by the presence of bubbles, so they are designed as such to help retain the carbonation. Champagne glasses are also designed with a long stem to prevent temperature loss, generated by your body heat being in contact with the bowl.

Something for Everyone: Because a lack of space and desire for simplicity can dictate the type of wine glasses you choose, a number of manufacturers have created several “all purpose” styles, most of which are relatively inexpensive, yet attractive.

Half Empty or Half Full: When serving wine, be sure that you don’t fill the glass too full…it should be one third to one half full at the very most. Leaving room in the glass helps to properly capture the bouquet in the upper portion of the bowl as you swirl it, while allowing you to tilt it at the proper angle (45 degrees) for drinking, without spilling it.

Blown is Best: Whenever possible, choose blown-glass styles for your wine. Fused or cut glass can interfere with the flavor of the wine. Blown-glass wine glasses with a thin lip usually bring about the most flavorful wine-drinking experience.