Using stemmed wine glasses has both advantages and disadvantages. Stemmed wine glasses have the advantage of allowing wine drinkers to more easily maintain the proper temperature of the line, have a traditional appearance and come in many different styles. Unfortunately, stemmed glasses may also be more likely to break and in some cases can be more expensive than stemless wine glasses of similar quality. Stemless wine glasses have the advantage of having a modern appearance, often being less expensive than stemmed glasses and being less prone to breakage. On the other hand, wine lovers may find that holding a stemless glass affects the temperature of wine negatively and that there simply isn't enough of a range of stemless designs on the market.
For many wine connoisseurs, the temperature of wine is crucial to its proper enjoyment. Stemmed wine glasses allow wine drinkers to grasp the glass by the stem so that their hand does not need to come into contact with the glass bowl. This prevents the heat from the drinkers hand from lowering the temperature of the wine. White wines, in particular, are often best enjoyed at cool temperatures and their flavors can diminish as the wine returns to room temperature. The same principle also holds true for champagne and sparkling wines.
One major problem with stemmed wine glasses is that the stem can easily be broken from the bowl of the glass. This renders the glass useless and requires replacement of the glass. Stemless wineglasses, on the other hand are easier to balance on a table and are not as vulnerable to this type of breakage. In addition, many stemless wineglasses are less expensive than their standard counterparts. For example, some wine glass companies create a full range of wine glasses with bowls to match certain line varietals. These companies may offer both a stemmed and stemless version of their glasses, with the stemless drinkware costing significantly less.
For individuals who are particularly concerned with the aesthetics of their wineglasses, there may simply not be an appropriate range of stemless glass styles available. For these individuals, the sheer number of stemmed wine glass styles is significant. In addition, while many people appreciate the ultramodern look of stemless wineglasses, this design may not be appropriate for a formal occasion or formal table setting. Stemmed wine glasses, on the other hand, are traditional and are generally considered suitable for any occasion.