Why do you only fill a wine glass up 1/3?

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Why do you only fill a wine glass up 1/3?

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4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Red wine, yes you want to fill only partway up the glass. The design of the typical [red wine glass](https://media.tiffany.com/is/image/Tiffany/EcomItemL2/all-purpose-red-wine-glass-25486498_870856_ED_M.jpg?&op_usm=2.0,1.0,6.0&$cropN=0.1,0.1,0.8,0.8&defaultImage=NoImageAvailableInternal&) is bulbous in the middle to maximize the surface area of the wine exposed to the air when filled to that level, so more of the wine can oxidize and release its aroma. Then there is a lot more glass to trap the smell and allow room to stick your nose in, else if the goal was just to oxidise the wine but not capture the smell you’d be using a [coupe glass](https://www.williams-sonoma.com.au/site/WS/Product%20Images/williams-sonoma-coupe-cocktail-glasses-hero-new-z.jpg?resizeid=93&resizeh=450&resizew=450).

White wine served in a typical [champagne flute](https://media.tiffany.com/is/image/Tiffany/EcomItemL2/champagne-flute-set-67467345_1017598_ED.jpg?&op_usm=2.0,1.0,6.0&$cropN=0.1,0.1,0.8,0.8&defaultImage=NoImageAvailableInternal&&wid=1250&hei=1250) you want to fill near to the top, mainly just because its a smaller glass. The intent of the design here is the opposite, tall and narrow to minimize the wines exposure to the air, so the bubbles last longer which is not a concern with red wine.

Anonymous 0 Comments

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Because part of the flavor experience in wine is from the aroma. That’s why you’ll see people swirl the wine around the glass too, it releases the scent.

If you’re just sipping from the top you’re not smelling the wine as effectively as you do when you’re breathing those trapped smells in the glass.

At least that’s how I’ve always understood it.

Anonymous 0 Comments

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