Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape variety found in the region of Bordeaux in Southwestern France. When turned into wine, it will have a healthy level of tannins that let it age well in the bottle for years. The result is a full-bodied wine with moderate acidity that pairs well on steaks. Still, a good wine begs for the right glass. The question is this: what is the best wine glass for Cabernet Sauvignon? These three picks are the quick answers:
| WINE GLASS | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! Zalto Denk'Art Bordeaux Wine Glass |  | Check Price |
 | Riedel Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Glass |  | Check Price |
 | Grassl Hand-Blown Wine Glass |  | Check Price |
What glass do I need for Cabernet Sauvignon?
While you can always use just about any glass to drink your wine, the right glass will let you taste all the flavors. The glass design will help balance the bitterness of tannins as well as the hints of spice on the wine.
For Cabernet, I recommend a large Bordeaux glass. This has a larger surface that will allow ethanol to evaporate faster. And since the opening is wider, your Cabernet will taste smoother on each sip.
Larger Bordeaux glasses also keep the burn of ethanol far from your nose even as you smell the wine.
Aside from Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bordeaux glass also works for Merlot and other Bordeaux blends.
The importance of wine glass
Wine glasses pay for itself in the long run. For personal use, it allows you to enjoy the fuller flavors and smell. Take note that wine glasses aren’t just for vanity. It serves a purpose in the evaporation of ethanol and making each sip smoother since Cabernet is a dry wine.
Moreover, stemware is designed to swirl the wine without spilling it into the floor. The manner of swirling is done to unlock its aroma for the best drinking experience. Some drinkers use the glass to decant the wine before they sip. With that, the wine glass’s wide base and the larger surface becomes a perfect option if you don’t have a decanter handy.
Unlike typical drinking glasses, wine glasses have thinner lips, so it doesn’t get in the way while drinking.
If you’re not sold, try pouring wine on a typical drinking glass. You’ll notice the difference in the scent and even the taste. Also, it just feels like you’re drinking juice and not some fine wine.
Below are my three best picks if you’re looking for the best wine glass for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Best Wine Glass for Cabernet Sauvignon –3 Expert Picks!
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: Zalto Denk'Art Bordeaux Wine Glass
Product Name: Zalto Denk'Art Bordeaux Wine Glass
Product Description: If you don't mind splurging a little bit, you should get the Zalto Denk'Art Bordeaux Wine Glass. This has a large Bordeaux design that suits red wines. It's the perfect choice to unleash the taste profiles of Cabernet, Barbera, Pinot Noir, and Nebbiolo. Moreover, this wine glass is mouth-blown using the best artisanal process. The crystal is reinforced to reduce the risk of chipping or cracking. It's been heated and cooled multiple times to make it stronger than typical glass. Connoisseurs and sommeliers trust Zalto Denk'Art since it provides full character on the wine while balancing the tannins' taste. You can easily taste the sweet notes and fruity hints, thanks to its wide mouth and larger surface.
Availability: InStock
Summary
This is long-stemmed, too, and is made of continuous crystal. It’s made with a wide base to open up the wine so you’ll taste its fuller flavors.
Each glass on the set of 6 can hold 23 ounces of wine. Overall, the glass is 9.25 inches tall and is completely dishwasher-safe. It’s also lead-free and made of feather-light crystal. Even if it’s light to hold, it remains durable and enjoyable to use.
Overall
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Material
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Design
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Size
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Value for Money
Pros
Made of reinforced glass
Long-stemmed, perfect for large hands
Dishwasher-safe
Cons
None so far
RUNNERS-UP
Riedel Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Glass
Another Cabernet Sauvignon wine glass that I recommend is this set from Riedel. It’s composed of eight large glasses that can hold up to 28 ounces of wine. It also has a bowl shape for a large space to allow ethanol to evaporate.
The tall glass also allows you to swirl the wine and capture the aroma on its tapering mouth. This is made of fine crystal glass with excellent clarity and brilliance. The wine will sparkle on this glass, making it a classy choice for gatherings and commercial purposes.
Moreover, this wine glass set showcases the finesse of your Cabernet. Its thin lips also make it easy to drink, and the wine tastes smoother.
If you don’t want a large set, you can get this same wine glass in a single piece or set of four. It’s also dishwasher-safe and will come out sparkling and scratch-free.
Overall, this is a huge wine glass with excellent quality. These are lovely wine glasses but make sure that you handle it well because a large size also means susceptibility to breakage.
Aside from Cabernet, this glass also works well for Merlots and other full-bodied spirits.
Grassl Hand-Blown Wine Glass
My last recommendation is the Grassl Hand-Blown Wine Glass. It has a Bordeaux-style body that allows the wine to open up and aerate. The wide surface also allows ethanol to burn and dissipate for better taste.
This is a mouth-blown glass produced through a special technique that requires five craftsmen at once. The process includes repeatedly heating and cooling then tempering at the mouth. The result is a lightweight stemware with thin lips and a gorgeous design.
Moreover, it’s trusted by connoisseurs since it’s perfect for swirling and sniffing. Regardless if you’re an aspiring sommelier or a casual drinker, this glass is a perfect choice.
Overall, this Grassl wine glass is 70 mm wide on the mouth and 110 mm on the bowl. Meanwhile, the stem is 5 mm thick. The stem is 230 mm long, which is considered to be long-stemmed and suitable for large hands.
Take note that this is a pretty large wine glass. If you don’t intend to pour a large amount at once, you should consider a smaller option. Also, I don’t recommend putting this in the dishwasher as the glass is fragile and may get chipped in the process.
How to choose wine glass for Cabernet Sauvignon
For beginners, wine glasses may appear similar. But if you will try each one of them, you will see and feel the difference.
✔️Check the length
The first thing you should check when buying wine glasses is the length. This will dictate how easy it is to hold the glass. When it comes to wine, you should steer clear of stemless glasses. Stemless wine glasses allow the heat to transfer from your palm or other surfaces right into the wine. This will affect the taste and aroma of the spirits.
The length of the glass that you will use for Cabernet depends on your personal preference. Some like long-stemmed glasses for easy swirling while others prefer shorter ones for small hands.
✔️Check the bowl shape
The bowl of the wine glass is right where your wine goes. For Cabernet, you’d want a large bowl to expose as much wine as possible. A wide bowl also lets you sniff the aroma of the wine even more.
With this, you should never use flutes for wines, especially full-bodied ones like Cabernet. A wide bowl also lets you swirl the wine without spilling it into the floor.
✔️Consider the rim
The rim of the glass is where your lip will touch while drinking. For wines, you’d want a thin rim with no lip so that it will lay flat on your tongue. Avoid thicker rims because it blocks the wine’s smooth flow, which is a no-no for Cabernets. It will just impact your overall experience with the wine.
How to care for your Cabernet wine glasses
Wine glasses are made thin so you can sip smoothly. However, this same construction makes the stemware fragile and prone to damages. To ensure that your wine glasses will last long, you should keep the following in mind:
- Think twice before using the dishwasher. Many Cabernet glasses are dishwasher-safe, but you should think twice if you have a large glass. Larger glasses are more prone to breakage. It’s best to wash it by hand.
- Use lukewarm water. If you have stemware made of crystal glass, you should use warm water for cleaning. The warm temperature will help soften up stains, both of the wine and lipstick.
- Dry it properly. Drying your wine glasses is one of the most critical steps of maintaining it. I suggest getting a drying rack so your stemware will be hung properly. You should also use a lint-free cloth to remove the moisture before storage. This will prevent dried water streaks that will affect the sparkle of your glasses.
- Be gentle with the cheers. As the alcohol takes on your body, you should mind how strong you clink your glasses. Too strong and it will chip the glass.
- Use cleaning beads. If your wine glass has stains, you can use the cleaning beads off your decanter to remove it. Simply swirl it with some water. This will prevent scratches on your wine glass.
- Handle it with care. Wine glasses come at a price, so you have to be careful about how you handle them. Make sure that it’s placed on a secure spot that’s not prone to falling
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I drink Cabernet Sauvignon straight from the bottle?
A: Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine, so it needs to be aerated before consumption. This will allow Cabernet’s flavor and aroma to unleash after years of being stored in the bottle. You should get a wide base decanter for faster decanting. While nothing is stopping you from drinking Cabernet straight from the bottle, doing so will not let you enjoy the full taste.
Q: Is Cabernet Sauvignon dry or sweet?
A: In general, Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium sweetness. It’s known to be one of the driest wines in the market. When we say that the wine is dry, it means all of its grape sugar has been converted to alcohol while being fermented. Still, this dryness pairs well with juicy red meat like rare steaks.
Q: How do you drink a Cabernet Sauvignon?
A: Unlike other wines, Cabernet Sauvignon is best served warmer than most. This full-bodied red wine is best served at 60F. It shouldn’t be served too cold, or you won’t enjoy the full taste. It’s also best paired with juicy meat or sweeter food to combat the dryness.
Q: What foods go with Cabernet Sauvignon?
A: The best food pairs for Cabernet Sauvignon is braised beef, meatballs, venison cheeks, steak, lamb ribs, and so on. Any food that’s juicy, meaty, and has a sweetness on it is a good pair for Cabernet. Some would drink it casually.
Q: Do you refrigerate Cabernet Sauvignon?
A: Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t supposed to be chilled for too long. The rule of thumb is chilling the bottle in the fridge for 20 minutes or putting it in an ice bucket for five minutes. You wouldn’t want to over-chill Cabernet Sauvignon.
Q: Are crystal cabernet wine glasses better?
A: Unlike pure glass, crystal glass has an added mineral that reinforces it. This makes the glass stronger against chips and cracks. Crystal glass is widely used in producing wine glasses since it allows manufacturers to make very thin stemware without breaking easily.
Final words
The best wine glass for Cabernet Sauvignon will let you enjoy your full-bodied spirit on every sip. Make sure that you get a large bowl, thin rim, and large size. This will let you swirl and sniff the wine properly. My top three picks above will give the best value for money.
What do you think of these Cabernet wine glasses? Let us know below!
