Restaurateur and wine enthusiast Edward Smith of Bach 16 proclaims that a stem is essential to drinking an enjoyable and uncompromised glass of vino. “I would only ever choose a glass with a stem,” he says. “Stemless glasses definitely take away from the taste.” He explains: “The wine’s flavour can easily change. Holding the glass from the bowl naturally heats up the contents, which in turn affects its taste.” Drink for thought? We think so.

The stem is essential for another important part of the wine ritual also – The Swirl. Contrary to popular belief, this action has more purpose than simply looking fancy; it genuinely helps with the flavour of the wine too. Seattle’s Wine Folly explains how a little swirl can go a long way. “Since most of the enjoyment of wine comes primarily from aromas, swirling the wine will aerate it slightly, potentially releasing more of those aromas. These will rest in the bowl of the glass as you raise it to your nose.” And raise it we will.

You may already be familiar with letting red wine breathe. Experts suggest opening a bottle and leaving it for 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on its age. This process continues when using a glass with a large bowl. Wine Folly explains that using when drinking red it is important to use a glass with a “larger surface area to let ethanol evaporate” and a “wider opening to make the wine taste smoother.”

or white wine, it’s less about breathing and more about temperature: a chilled white is always best. This relates to both the stem and the bowl size. For full-bodied whites, a larger bowl is recommended as it emphasises a creamy texture. For lighter wines, a smaller bowl helps maintain a cooler temperature and preserve floral aromas.