Drinking wine from a plastic cup? You can get so much more out of that bottle you bought. Refined palates know what a difference the right glass makes. Its shape, size and thickness can dramatically enhance a wine's flavor — and your entire sensory experience. Here's what you need to know when shopping online for stemware:

• It should be clear and unadorned with patterns or etchings so you don't conceal the color or clarity of your wine.
  
• It should have a thin rim so the wine doesn't get held up rather than pouring smoothly into your mouth.
  
• It should have a stem that prevents your hand from warming the wine inside. (Though stem-less versions have recently been developed in thicker glass that makes warming less of an issue.)
  
• It should have a solid base that prevents your glass from tipping or the stem from snapping.
  
• The bowl of the glass should taper inward so that the aromas of the wine are maintained and directed toward the nose when you swirl and drink your wine.
  
• It should be large enough to hold a serving of wine without crossing the halfway mark, but small enough that you don't feel awkward holding it.
  
• White wine glasses should have a narrower bowl (to contain more delicate aromas) and hold between 8 and 14 ounces below the halfway mark.
  
• Red wine glasses should have a larger, broader bowl (to contain a larger bouquet) and hold between 10 and 16 ounces below the halfway mark.
  
• Champagne and sparking wine should be served in tall, tapered flutes, which are designed to retain bubbles.
  

Cleaning and Storage
Dish soap can leave a thin film that will affect the taste of wine. Therefore you should clean your wine glasses with warm or hot water and no soap on the inside. Place them on a linen to dry — or hand dry them immediately after washing to avoid spots. Just before serving wine in a glass again, hold it up to the light to make sure it's clean. Never store glasses upside down, as it can trap stale odors. Store glasses upright in a ventilated cupboard or hang them from a rack made for specifically for stemware.

Where to Buy Online
Get money back from ConsumerClub.com when you shop for stemware and more at HSN.com, Wine.com, Lenox.com, Boscovs.com and Target.com. Learn all you'll ever need to know about stemware — and particularly, industry leader Riedel — in the "Wine and Glass Guide" at Riedel.com. You can also find beautiful, affordable stemware at Macys.com, PotteryBarn.com, CrateandBarrel.com and BedbathandBeyond.com.