ThePortForum.com

My Port glasses have suffered from cumulative accidents. Before tackling the variety of questions about which, about cost, etc, what about size?

What is the optimal volume of a glass from which to drink red Port. If relevant, assume non-old: maybe LBV, maybe crusted, or still-primary VP.

a classic georgian port glass

hadge wrote: ↑20:50 Thu 30 Apr 2026a classic georgian port glass

If I tell you that you are being helpful, then you are being helpful. I am not telling you that you are being helpful.

Most of the port industry has moved on from the smaller “port glasses” and are now using more of a small white wine glass.

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑02:30 Fri 01 May 2026 Most of the port industry has moved on from the smaller “port glasses” and are now using more of a small white wine glass.

Yes, I'm in the "small white wine glass" camp.

jdaw1 wrote: ↑20:48 Thu 30 Apr 2026 What is the optimal volume of a glass from which to drink red Port. If relevant, assume non-old: maybe LBV, maybe crusted, or still-primary VP.

For me it depends on the size of the pours, and of course suitable glass shape, as aroma is important - I don't want a glass where the aroma is not/barely present (glass too full, or sides not tapered at least slightly to hold it in), or barely detectable (tiny sample in huge glass), so a balance of size vs pour (or pour to fit size, but hopefully you see what I mean); which for me means ISO tasting glasses for small pours (say <80ml), and (slightly larger, similar style shape) white wine glasses for larger pours.

I vary between a Riedel Vinum Port glass if I’m drinking or a Spiegelau Discovery 430ml white wine glass if I’m tasting at home so pour size is irrelevant. I adore the latter, they are so light — but also so fragile because of their delicacy.

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑21:48 Fri 01 May 2026 I vary between a Riedel Vinum Port glass if I’m drinking or a Spiegelau Discovery 430ml white wine glass if I’m tasting at home so pour size is irrelevant. I adore the latter, they are so light — but also so fragile because of their delicacy.

Did you mean Definition? I'm unfamiliar with their Discovery line.

At home tend to use ISO tasting glasses (as have loads from days of doing WSET) or the Riedel Vinum.

The Zalto glass they use at 67 is very nice but I'm never going to buy any.

MigSU wrote: ↑23:01 Fri 01 May 2026

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑21:48 Fri 01 May 2026 I vary between a Riedel Vinum Port glass if I’m drinking or a Spiegelau Discovery 430ml white wine glass if I’m tasting at home so pour size is irrelevant. I adore the latter, they are so light — but also so fragile because of their delicacy.

Did you mean Definition? I'm unfamiliar with their Discovery line.

I did mean Definition. Thanks for catching the error.

I use Riedel Vinums at home for personal use, and have 3x 36-ct boxes of INAO Tasting Glasses (aka the "Marjorie Lumm" glass) to use for tastings. Despite in-the-trade trend to drift away from these glasses, and the equivalent Alvaro Siza glasses square-stemmed, I still prefer the size and shape for Port.

But in a pinch I've used anything from white wine glasses to red Solo cups. I can certainly see the appeal of a white wine glass, I just don't need that large of a serving for myself.