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When choosing wine glasses, it is always best to chose clear 100% lead free crystal. Enjoying wine
is not only apprecating the of the taste and flavor, but also color. The size and shape of a wine glass
is another important factor. The bowl should be large enough to allow a sufficent volume of wine and
leaving enough room for the wine to be gently swirled without spilling the wine. Typicly, a 4-6 oz pour
for a red wine, 3-4 oz pour for a white wine.
Swirling the wine glass releases the aroma from the wine that adds to the pleasure of drinking a fine
glass of wine. There are numerous wine glasses that are so tiny that they must be filled to the brim
for a simple serving. These small wine glasses don't have the volume for the swirl. Oversize wine
glasses allow you allow you to pour a 12 oz. serving of wine and leave plenty of room for the swirl.
Stemless wine glasses are gaining in popularity. It is our opinion that the stemless wine glass is
unique and great for wines that are to be served at room temprature.
The stem of a wine glass is not just for aesthetic reasons. The stem also allows the wine glass to
be held without warming the wine (conducting heat) with your hand.
So, in choosing wine glasses, another factor to concider is the shape of the bowl. Good quality wine
glasses taper toward the top. Not only is this appearance is aesthetically pleasing, it is also of
functional importance. A wine taster will use a swirling action to release the pleasent aroma from the
wine, and this tapered shape serves to contain the aroma in the glass.
Types of Wine Glasses
The size of a glass is important, affecting the quality and intensity of aromas. The breathing space
has to be chosen according to the “personality” of the wine or spirit.
Red wines require large glasses, white wines medium-sized glasses and spirits, small ones (to
emphasize the fruit character and not the alcohol).The glass should not be over-filled.
Red wine: four to five ounces;
White wine: three ounces;
Spirits: one ounce.
The quality and intensity of aromas are determined by the personality of a wine but also by its affinity
to the glass shape. Bouquet can only develop in a limited temperature range. Low temperatures
temper the intensity, whereas high temperatures promote mainly alcoholic fumes.
Important as the shape of a glass is, it cannot function properly unless the wine is served at the
correct temperature and in the right serving quantities (white wine: 2-3 oz., red wine 3-5 oz.). When
the wine is poured, it immediately starts to evaporate and its aromas quickly fill the glass in layers
according to their density and specific gravity. Consequently, the size and the shape of the glass can
be fine-tuned to the typical aromas of a grape variety.
The lightest, most fragile are those reminiscent of flower and fruit and these rise right up to the rim of
the glass, while the middle fills with green varietal's scents and earthy, mineral components. The
heaviest aromas, typically of wood and alcohol, remain at the bottom of the glass. Swirling the wine
in the glass moistens a larger surface area, and this increases the evaporation and intensity of the
aromas. But swirling does not encourage different elements of the bouquet to blend together. This in
fact explains why the same wine in different glasses shows such an amazing variety of aromas.(The
same wine can exhibit fruit aromas in one glass and green and varietal'snotes in another). To
eliminate this effect, you would have to move the layers vertically and shake the glass. Only then
would you discover the same bouquet in all glasses!
Experienced tasters rely on their olfactory talents more than their palates to determine the
provenance of the wine or the grape variety in blind tastings. Very large glasses with a capacity of
more than 25 ounces allow you to “nose” through the layers of bouquet by inhaling very gently and
regularly for about ten seconds, penetrating down through the surface layers of fruit to the more
earthy and alcoholic notes below.
TASTE
Each individual is the sovereign of his palate. We cannot dictate rigid rules that override personal
preferences. We can, however, give some valuable guidelines – and over the years the response of
wine lovers to our suggestions has been overwhelmingly positive. Physical movements and
adjustments of head and body are controlled subconsciously. The shape of the glass forces the
head to position itself in such a way that you drink and do not spill. Wide, open glass shapes require
us to sip by lowering the head, whereas a narrow rim forces the head to tilt backwards so that the
liquid flows because of its gravity. This delivers and positions the beverage to different “taste zones”
of the palate.
Gulping to quench one’s thirst negates the benefits of the glass, since it means that flavour is only
experienced in the aftertastes. Alcoholic beverages are consumed according to their strength in
small to very small quantities at a time. this offers the opportunity to control the flow of the drink and
consequently the initial contact with the tongue. The resulting nerve impulse is transmitted to the
brain at a speed of 400/m sec, where it leaves a lasting first impression. In most cases we are
disappointed if sweet fruit flavours are absent ant tart components dominate the taste picture. When
this happens, the tendency is to blame the wine rather than the inappropriate shape of the glass.
This is precisely where a glass can make a dramatic difference in conveying a wine’s message.
Every wine has its own unique blend of qualities: fruit, acidity, minerals, tannin, alcohol that are
based on the grape variety and the climate and soil on which it is grown. By studying the varietal
characteristics, Riedel glasses are able to deliver a wine or spirit to the nose and palate in such a
way that it can fully express its personality. The finish plays an important part in the overall
impression and this too is strongly influenced by the design of the bowl. It will take time to recognize
that a glass is not just a glass, but an instrument of pleasure and enjoyment.
GENERAL RULES
The glasses are designed to emphasize a wine’s harmony, not faults. Riedel has always viewed the
wine glass as an instrument to bring together: the personality of the wine, smell, taste, appearance
(including the beauty of the object).
To fully appreciate the different grape varieties and the subtle characteristics of individual wines, it is
essential to have a glass which has a shape fine-tuned for the purpose. The shape is responsible
for the quality and intensity of the bouquet and the flow of the wine.
The initial contact point depends on the shape and volume of the glass, the diameter of the rim, and
its finish (whether it is a cut and polished or rolled edge) as well as the thickness of the crystal.
As you put your wine glass to your lips, your taste buds are on the alert. The wine flow is directed
onto the appropriate taste zones of your palate and consequently leads to different taste pictures.
Once your tongue is in contact with the wine three messages are transmitted at the same time:
temperature, texture and taste.
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The shape of the glass is also very important, as it concentrates the aroma (or bouquet) to emphasise the
varietal's characteristic. The shape of the glass also directs the wine itself into the best area of the mouth from
the varietal. In general the opening of the glass is not wider than the widest part of the bowl.
The stem of a glass is an important feature as it provides a way to hold the glass without warming the wine from
body heat. It also prevents fingerprints from smearing the glass, and makes the glass easier to swirl. Except for
the wine connoisseur, wine glasses can be divided into three types: red wine glasses, white wine glasses and
champagne flutes.
[edit]
Red wine glasses
Glasses for red wine are characterized by their rounder, wider bowl, which gives the wine a chance to breathe.
Since most reds are meant to be consumed at room temperature, the wider bowl also allows the wine to cool
more quickly after hand contact has warmed it. Red wine glasses can have particular styles of their own, such
as:
Bordeaux glass: Tall with a wide bowl, and is designed for full bodied red wines like Cabernet and Merlot as it
directs wine to the back of the mouth.
Burgundy glass: Larger than the Bordeaux glass, it has a larger bowl to accumulate aromas of more delicate red
wines such as Pinot Noir. This style of glass directs wine to the tip of the tongue.
White wine glasses
White wine glasses are generally narrower, although not as narrow as champagne flutes, with somewhat
straight or tulip-shaped sides. The narrowness of the white wine glass allows the chilled wine to retain its
temperature for two reasons;
The reduced surface area of the glass (in comparison to red wine glasses) means less air circulating around
the glass and warming the wine.
The smaller bowl of the glass means less contact between the hand and the glass, and so body heat does not
transfer as easily to the wine.
Champagne flutes
Main article: Champagne flute
Champagne flutes are characterised by a long stem with a tall, narrow bowl on top. The shape is designed to
keep sparkling wine desirable during its consumption. The glass is designed to be held by the stem to help
prevent the heat from the hand from warming the champagne. The bowl itself is designed in a manner to help
retain the signature carbonation in the beverage. This is achieved by reducing the surface area at the opening of
the bowl.
Champagne flutes are often used at formal engagements, such as award ceremonies and weddings.
varietal's characteristic. The shape of the glass also directs the wine itself into the best area of the mouth from
the varietal. In general the opening of the glass is not wider than the widest part of the bowl.
The stem of a glass is an important feature as it provides a way to hold the glass without warming the wine from
body heat. It also prevents fingerprints from smearing the glass, and makes the glass easier to swirl. Except for
the wine connoisseur, wine glasses can be divided into three types: red wine glasses, white wine glasses and
champagne flutes.
[edit]
Red wine glasses
Glasses for red wine are characterized by their rounder, wider bowl, which gives the wine a chance to breathe.
Since most reds are meant to be consumed at room temperature, the wider bowl also allows the wine to cool
more quickly after hand contact has warmed it. Red wine glasses can have particular styles of their own, such
as:
Bordeaux glass: Tall with a wide bowl, and is designed for full bodied red wines like Cabernet and Merlot as it
directs wine to the back of the mouth.
Burgundy glass: Larger than the Bordeaux glass, it has a larger bowl to accumulate aromas of more delicate red
wines such as Pinot Noir. This style of glass directs wine to the tip of the tongue.
White wine glasses
White wine glasses are generally narrower, although not as narrow as champagne flutes, with somewhat
straight or tulip-shaped sides. The narrowness of the white wine glass allows the chilled wine to retain its
temperature for two reasons;
The reduced surface area of the glass (in comparison to red wine glasses) means less air circulating around
the glass and warming the wine.
The smaller bowl of the glass means less contact between the hand and the glass, and so body heat does not
transfer as easily to the wine.
Champagne flutes
Main article: Champagne flute
Champagne flutes are characterised by a long stem with a tall, narrow bowl on top. The shape is designed to
keep sparkling wine desirable during its consumption. The glass is designed to be held by the stem to help
prevent the heat from the hand from warming the champagne. The bowl itself is designed in a manner to help
retain the signature carbonation in the beverage. This is achieved by reducing the surface area at the opening of
the bowl.
Champagne flutes are often used at formal engagements, such as award ceremonies and weddings.
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