Spoiler alert! You can drink wine out of whatever container you want: a planet-friendly can, a mason jar, coffee mug, or even a solo cup. However, Our sense of smell is responsible for about 80% of what we taste, and glasses unlock more aromatics. Certain wine glass shapes perform better for particular wines because they collect aromatic compounds and allow them to reach your nose in a certain way, which drastically affects wine flavor — smell is a huge factor in taste! A few common glasses: ​​ White Wine Glasses White wines are typically served in smaller-bowled glasses, which: Preserve floral aromas and deliver more aromas due to proximity to your nose Maintain cooler temperature Express more acidity in wine Red Wine Glasses Red wines tend to taste smoother from a glass with a wide opening, which: Mitigates bitterness (tannin) Softens spice Collect aromas, but keep them a bit further away from your nose Specialty Glasses Tall, slender glasses like Champagne flutes help to keep sparkling wines cold and slow the bubbles from escaping. Port glasses are much smaller than other wine glasses, as they’re used for high-alcohol dessert wines. The narrow mouth reduces evaporation. “Universal” Glasses Best for people short on storage space or who don’t want the fuss of all the different shapes, “universal” wine glasses have characteristics of both white and red wine glasses for a happy medium.