One does not need to be a sommelier or don a bowtie in order to serve a wine properly. All that you need to serve wine like a pro is to understand the basic method and a few simple principles. Aside from choosing an appropriate glass, it is important to pay attention to the wine’s temperature, as it can greatly heighten the pleasure of the tasting experience. Decanting and the cork are two additional important topics for foolproof tasting.

A general tasting glass is round and narrows slightly at the top so that the aromas are concentrated there.

A Champagne flute has a thin tulip shape that is only very slightly narrowed at the top.

A Bordeaux glass is taller than it is wide, like a larger form of a tulip glass.

A Burgundy glass is round with a narrowed opening at the top of the glass.