If you’re into wine, you’ve heard about different wine glasses and stemware used in the wine trade by enthusiasts and professionals alike. From everyday wine glasses to artsy pieces, there’s no doubt wine glasses come at all price points and qualities. Still, there’s something all fine stemware has in common, and it's evident quality. 

Hand-blown wine glasses are a synonym for thin stemware. That’s one way to describe high-end stemware. Still, there’s more to quality than thinness. In this article, we will talk about why some wine glasses are thinner than others, what it represents in terms of enjoyment, and other benefits of artisan stemware compared to industrially made wine glasses. 

Grassl Wine Glass has long been an ambassador for old-fashioned yet modern hand-blown wine glasses, and it’s time to talk about why these delicate pieces are worth their price. If you enjoy drinking wine, even if only occasionally, investing in fine glassware is an easy decision, and here’s why. 

Why Are Fine Wine Glasses So Thin?

Most wine glasses on the market are made with inexpensive glass. Glass is robust and versatile but has limitations — you can only shape it so thin. It’s no surprise that most stemware has thick stems and rims; they’re made of glass.

Crystal, on the other hand. Either leaded glass or unleaded crystal fortified with additional minerals is stronger than glass, which means that it can be spun and shaped thinly. 

Thickness and thinness play a part in the wine-tasting experience, and it’s because wine is a delicate and nuanced beverage. The vessel used to drink it influences the wine’s flavor, aroma, and overall sensation. 

Thick rims lack refinement and feel awkward — they can make fine wine taste average. On the other hand, thin edges allow for the gentlest kiss and the perfect sip, making good wines taste great and great ones taste extraordinary. Don’t underestimate the thickness of the wine glass in hand. 

Thin Crystal Equals Clarity

Crystal is not only more malleable than glass, which allows for thinner glassware, but it is also glossier and more refractive. When hand-blown into thin wine glasses, the material is perfectly translucent and allows for better visual appreciation of anything poured into it.

In other words, thin wine glasses made with high-quality crystal allow you to enjoy the wine’s color. This is also ideal for those interested in inspecting the wine for faults or deducing its traits, condition, and origin. 

The wine’s color can hint at the grape variety used and the climate where it was grown. The tears forming on the sides of the glass show alcohol and glycerin levels, and the wine’s opacity might indicate the wine’s robustness and complexity. Love starts with the eyes. And wine’s color says more than 1000 words.

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of admiring wine through thin and clear crystal, let’s discuss how the quality of the wine glass impacts your sense of touch.

Thinner Glass Equals a Smoother Flow

Another benefit of thin glass is the sensation experienced when taking a sip, which gives wine tasting an intimate feel.

The moment you pick up a high-end wine glass, you’ll feel the weight of the high-quality material, perfectly balanced between the base, the stem, and the bowl. Thin stems might look fragile, and they are, but they are sturdier than you think. After all, crystal is more robust than glass, even if it is shaped into thinner pieces. 

Then you have that luxurious paper-thin rim. Fine stemware is known for having thin edges, and it’s because wine is meant to be sipped, and a smooth flow allows for uninterrupted satisfaction. You never forget the first time your lips touch a thin crystal rim. 

Thick rims are an easy way to spot inexpensive stemware, most likely made with regular glass or low-quality crystal, and definitely by a machine and not a glassblower. 

The Bottom Line

For wine glasses, thin equals quality. The sharp ring created when cheering, the gentle touch of the rim, the delicate stem between your fingers. Crystal wine glasses can be incredibly thin, and the thinner they are, the easier it is to tell if the piece was made by an artisan. 

For high-end glassware hand-blown and crafted with the finest materials, try our Quality Grassl Glasses. Buy wine glasses online and have them delivered safely to your doorstep. Nice wine glasses, especially hand-blown wine glasses, will change how you taste wine forever. 

Shop CJF Selections Grassl Collection

Explore our selection of Grassl stemware and choose the right wine glasses for you. Better yet, build a collection and entertain your friends and family with proper wine service, where thin stemware plays a leading role.