7 Best Port Glasses for Enjoying Port Wine

port glasses

Do you love a glass of port wine? If so, it’s important to use the right glassware in order to enjoy it to the fullest.

In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of glasses that are typically used for enjoying port wine, as well as our top picks for the best ones!

Table of Contents

What is Port?

port wine made

Port is a type of sweet, fortified wine that originates from the Douro Valley in Portugal. It is made by adding brandy to wine while it is still fermenting.  In turn, this stops the fermentation of wine and fortifies it which subsequently raises the alcohol content. It also gives the wine lots of residual sugar, making it sweeter in flavor.

Port is typically enjoyed as an aperitif, digestif, or dessert wine.

What are Port Glasses?

port wine glasses

Port glasses are specially designed wine glasses that are used specifically for enjoying port wine. The standard Port glass is noticeably smaller than an average wine glass, and it has a shape that looks like a little red wine glass.

They are known for their tall bowl, narrow rim, and a short stem, which minimizes aeration and ensures that there’s just the right balance of rich fruit and aromas, while also reducing the high alcohol aromas. And the narrow rim minimizes the wine’s surface area, also allowing the strong aromatics of the sweet wine to aerate and moderate the bouquet so that it’s not too intense.

It is important to use port glasses because they are specifically designed to enhance the flavor and aroma of port wine.

Why is a Port Served in Small Glasses?

One common question that people have about port is why it is typically served in small glasses. The reason for this is because Port are rich, sweet, fortified wines that contains high levels of alcohol when compared to other red or white wines. So, it is best to enjoy it in small quantities.

Additionally, serving port in small glasses helps to keep the drink at the ideal temperature. If you were to serve port in a large glass, the drink would quickly become too warm and lose its flavor

What Size is a Port Glass?

A standard port pour is between three (3) and four (4) ounces of wine. Therefore your standard port glass should be able to hold between 6 oz – 8 oz.

Our 7 Favorite Port Glasses

We independently select and recommend the best products. So when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change by sellers at anytime.

1) Riedel Vinum Port (Best Overall)

Riedel Vinum Port Glasses

The Riedel Vinum Port is our top pick for the best overall port glass. This glass has a classic design that will look great in any home. It is made of lead-free crystal, which is dishwasher safe. With a glass capacity of 8.47 ounces, this is the perfect size for swirling your vintage ports.

2) Spiegelau Willsberger Digestive Glasses (Best for Dessert Wines)

Spiegelau Willsberger Digestive Glasses

The Spiegelau Willsberger Dessert glass is our top pick for dessert wine glasses. These glasses have a beautiful unique shape that is perfect for rich, sweet dessert wines. With a capacity of 9.9 ounces, these glasses are plenty large enough to enjoy your port wine with friends. They are made of the platinum glass process, lead-free crystal, and dishwasher safe.

3) Stolzle – Professional Collection Crystal Port Glasses

Stolzle – Professional Collection Clear Lead-Free Crystal Port Glasses

The tapered rim of this glassware concentrates the aromas of sweet wine, allowing you to enjoy the complex flavors. It is sized for a standard 3oz pour of port and will keep the concentrated flavors for longer.

4) Luigi Bormioli Vinoteque

Luigi Bormioli Vinoteque Port Wine Glasses Port glasses

This Italian-made, lead-free crystal glass is reinforced with laser cut rims and is break resistant. It’s also dishwasher safe, making it a beautiful and practical addition to your wine collection.

5) Schott Zwiesel Port Wine Glass (Classic Port Wine Glass)

Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Siza Port Wine Glass

This Port Wine Glass was designed by the great Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza and authorized by the Port Wine Institute (IVDP). If you’re ever in Porto, this is the type of glass you’ll see people using to drink their port wine.

6) Fox Run Glass Port Sippers (Best Port Sipper)

Port sippers

The classic design of this wine glass provides for an elegant drinking experience, as you can sip from the bottom of the cup. Thereby drinking the wine that hasn’t touched oxygen and giving you the true taste of the port. Please note that this glass is designed to fit in the palm of your hand, but it is only suitable for hand-washing.

7) Riedel Sommeliers Collector's Edition Vintage Port Glass, Black/Red (Most Unique)

The Black Series from Riedel glasses includes a beautiful red string of color throughout the stem, which is encased in transparent crystal. It has an capacity of 8 3/4 ounces. All hand-made items are dishwasher safe.

What are Port Glass Called?

Port glasses are also sometimes called “port sippers.” This is because they are designed to help you enjoy your port wine slowly and savor the flavor.

They’re little glasses with long pipes, and they almost appear to be tiny teapots where you drink from the “handle or stem” of the teapot. The pipe is shaped like a straw that comes out of the bottom of the glass, which means you sip the port from the bottom of the glass. The concept is that you drink the Port wine which hasn’t been exposed to air on its surface area first.

What Temperature should you serve Port?

You should serve Port between 55–64ºF. Ruby Port between 55-59ºF. Tawny Port between 55–64ºF.

What is the Difference Between a Sherry Glass and a Port Glass?

There are two main types of port glasses: sherry glasses and port glasses. Sherry glasses have a taller bowl and a longer stem, while port glasses have a shorter bowl and stem.

More Posts

best lunch in napa

12 Best Lunch Spots In Napa

Best Lunch In Napa – Our 12 Favorite Spots! Lunch is a must when you’re out wine tasting! Whether you’re in the mood for a

Böen Pinot Noir

Böen Pinot Noir – WineO Mark Review

Böen Pinot Noir – WineO Mark Review Wine Stats Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir Vintage: 2021 ABV: 14.6% Wine Region: California Flavor Profile: Cherry, raspberry, blackberry,