How To Choose A Wine Glass
Posted by Pam Thompson | Wine Glasses | Posted on January 11th, 2010
Whether you decide on online or offline purchases, one thing is for sure- it’s very easy to get confused about what wine glasses to buy for special events or even for general use. They range from tall and skinny to short and stout, not even mentioning everything in between. With all these endless choices, what type of glasses should you buy? Let’s have a closer look in our complete guide on how to choose a wine glass.
It is a rock solid fact that wine is definitely about a lot more than just its exquisite taste. There is a certain depth to wine that is essential to true wine lovers, who believe that every single aspect of wine should be savored and enjoyed to genuinely appreciate the beauty of the wine. This is the exact reason why a genuine wine connoisseur will know that the glass you use to serve wine in is just as essential as the fine drink itself.
The appeal of wine is in its taste, smell, and visual aspect. The way light plays on champagne bubbles, the legs formed on the glass inside when you swirl the drink, and the way aromas are just captured within the glass are all things to keep in mind when learning how to choose wine glasses.
Its of utmost importance to choose a wine glass very carefully as you risk muffling the fabulous flavour and body of the wine. With such endless choices, though, choosing the perfect wine glass can be just plain impossible.
Your choice will firstly depend on your lifestyle and how you use the glass, and secondly on the type of wine are you drinking or planning to serve at a function. The wine glass type must match the type of wine served to a t.
Champagne glasses also commonly referred to as flutes are tall and thin, with a very narrow opening at the glass top. The reason for the narrow opening is that it stops the immediate release of the carbon dioxide which is Champagnes main ingredient. The use of a shorter glass with a wider opening at the top will result in Champagne becoming flatter significantly faster when compared to a flute.
Flute glasses should also be used for ciders for the exact same reason as champagne.
Chardonnay glasses are also tall but with a subtle bowl. The bowl helps keep the wine cold. Mentioned glasses are commonly used for white wine varieties, due to the fact that it brings out the wines boldest flavors.
Bordeaux and Burgundy glasses are balloon shaped, with Burgundy glasses having a slightly larger bowl. Both are designed to enhance the wines flavor. These taller glasses have wider bowls in order to allow the wine to breathe and develop its exquisite full bouquet, and in essence, have better flavor.
Above mentioned wine glasses are great starting points for any stemware collection. There are many specialty shapes, styles and sizes especially for spirit drinks and liqueurs. Start with or even go back to basics and you will soon be on your way to being a true wine connoisseur.