The type of wine glass that you serve your wine in can have a dramaticimpact on the flavor and quality of the wine. There are many factors associatedwith wine glasses that may add or subtract from the wine’s flavor, appearanceand quality. There are also some glassware basics that should be consideredwhen choosing glasses.
For a home wine-connoisseur, you may need to take your wine glass selectionvery seriously. For those individuals that enjoy a variety of different typesof wine, you may opt for an all-purpose wine glass. These are tulip shaped andhold approximately 8 to 12 ounces and are appropriate for most types of wine.There are, however, specific types of glasses that you may be interested inpurchasing if you enjoy a particular type of wine on a regular basis. You donot necessarily need a special glass for each type of wine, but if youroutinely enjoy a particular wine and you have the storage and budget, then youmay be interested.
So what are the differences in white and red wine glasses? There are severaldifferences and each affect the bouquet of the wine as well as help to maintainthe appropriate temperature of the wine. And of course, white wines are bestserved out of glasses designed for white wines and red wines are best servedout of glasses designed for red wines.
The white wine glass has a narrow mouth, which allows the wine to maintainits chilled temperature. The reduced surface area of the glass does not allowair to permeate the wine as much as it does in a wide mouthed red wine glass.The reduced amount of air means that the air will not warm the wine. Thesmaller bowl of the glass also means that there is less contact by the heat ofthe hand, which can also warm the wine.
Chardonnay glasses feature a narrow rim of glass that helps to direct thewine to the middle of the palate. This applies the fruit flavors and acidity.The longer bowl of the glass keeps the wine chilled and captures the aromas ofthe wine. This type of glass works well for Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, WhiteBordeaux and Burgundies, White Pinots and Viognier.
Sangiovese and Riesling glass feature a smaller bowl and even narrower rim.The smaller bowl is due to the fact that these wines are usually consumed insmaller quantities as dessert wines. The smaller and elongated bowl also allowsthe wine to stay chilled while you are enjoying your dessert. These glasses arealso great for wines that are sweet and may be drunk in smaller amounts. Thistype of glass is also appropriate for Bardolino, Chianti, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo,Montepulciano and Zinfandel. If you frequently enjoy white wines, you may enjoyan all-purpose glass that is designed for different white wines.
Red wine glasses are usually noted as having a large bowl and wide mouth.These glasses are similar to the Bordeaux and Burgundy wine glass. The Bordeauxwine glass is designed specifically for these red wines. They have a large andround bowl, which allows the wine to breathe, which brings out the differentaromas that the wine has to offer. Allowing the red wine to sit in the glasswill have a similar effect that decanting has on a wine. These glasses are talland shoot the wine straight to the back of your mouth where most red wines willreact with the back of the palate.
The Burgundy glass is also a good wine glass that is appropriate for redsand full-bodied wines. They have an even larger bowl than the Bordeaux glassand focuses the wine to be absorbed at the tip of your tongue. This allows thedrinker to enjoy the sweetness of this wine. This glass is also appropriate foryour Pinot Noir wines and is best for gathering the delicate bouquet of yourred wine.
Red wine glasses also allow you to drink your red wines at room temperature.The larger bowl is designed to allow the wine to cool after it is exposed tothe heat of your hand. If you enjoy red wine on a regular basis, you may beinterested in buying a set of these glasses.
When purchasing wine glasses, you will want to look for clean and clearglasses. This will allow you to examine the wine and check its clarity andcolor. A clean glass is absolutely necessary for enjoying wines and afterwashing you will want to remove any soap residue that is left on the glass.Thin glasses are also the best, as a rolled rim will cause the wine to dribbleinto your mouth while a thin glass presents less obstruction between you andthe wine. Stems are also necessary, as you do not want to hold the bowl of theglass. The glass should also have a tapered rim, which will keep the wine fromspilling when you swirl. It will also help to capture the aroma of thewine.
David Beart is the owner of the Professors House. This site covers awide selection of topics including relationships, wine information, cooking and other household issues.