WINE
GLASSES
Many wine purists (aka
“snobs”) believe that proper
glassware is essential to the enjoyment
of wine. This is just not true. Sure there
is glassware that can be considered better
than others. Those that help to enhance
the overall wine drinking experience by
intensifying aromas and tastes. That is
precisely the reason why certain wine glasses
look and feel different depending on the
type/style of wine they were made for. It
also helps to drink out of something clean,
because two-day-old milk never tastes good
mixed with wine. But, while one glass may
be better than another there is no true
right and wrong when choosing as long as
your ultimate goal is to just drink a glass
of wine. That is why at WineCOW we believe
that wine can, and should, be drunk out
of any vessel you like, so don’t let
the lack of a special glass stop you.
However, for those people that do take their
wine drinking seriously, and/or hope to
improve the overall tasting experience,
then there are certain guidelines that can
be followed. Note that we say “guidelines”
not “rules”, because drinking
wine should always be done on your terms.
Some information about wine glasses:
 Material
Glass is preferred because it is a completely
inert material (doesn’t react chemically)
and doesn’t impart any off flavors
to the wine. Clear glass is standard so
the wine’s color can be appreciated.
Shape
Wine glasses narrow toward the rim so wine
can be swirled (to maximize aroma) without
spilling on your pants. The narrowed top
also helps to concentrate the aromas for
smelling.
Size
Traditionally, red wine glasses are bigger
(10-16 oz) than white wine glasses (8-14
oz) because red wines are thought to give
off their richer aromas more easily in larger
glasses. But, you don’t have to drink
out of different sized glasses. In fact,
you can drink wine out of any glass you
want. So, if you are planning to purchase
wine glasses and are either on a budget
and/or don’t have a lot of room to
store separate wine glasses for red and
white wines, buy an all-purpose 12-14 ounce
wine glass and use it for both. Sometimes
I even like to drink beer out of mine.
White wine glasses are
medium size and taper inward at the top.
This tapering not only keeps you from spilling
but also helps focus the wine's aromas inward
toward the nose. Traditional glasses often
range from eight to fourteen ounces in size.
When serving fill to one-third of its capacity
(about three ounces), so you don’t
slosh any on your shirt.
Red wine glasses taper
inward at the top to keep your pants free
of wine stains and help to focus the aromas.
Traditional red wine glasses range from
ten to sixteen ounces, with a slightly larger,
rounder bowl than the white wine glass.
Sparkling wines, including
Champagne, are often served in elongated
glasses that narrow at the top called flutes,
which preserve the wine’s fizziness.
Dessert wines are served
in smaller glasses because these wines are
served in smaller portions than table wines.
Thickness
Thin glasses are preferable to thick, heavy
ones. They have less influence on the temperature
of the wine, and your arm doesn’t
get so tired after several glasses down.
Holding the Glass
Traditional wine glasses have stems to hold
on to so the wine’s temperature will
not be altered by the temperature of the
drinker’s hands. The heat from your
hand may heat up the wine and change its
flavor. However, any dedicated wine drinker
should be able to consume their wine before
this makes much difference. So, if holding
your glass by the bowl feels more comfortable,
then feel free. You can always pour another
glass if it gets too warm.
Cleanliness
One of the greatest wine killers is soap.
Dish detergent often leaves a film that
cannot be seen. When wine comes in contact
with this film it will negatively affect
the taste and smell of the wine. When dining
out smell the glasses before the wine is
poured. If you can smell soap ask for the
glasses to be rinsed again. When washing
your own glasses rinse well with plain hot
water. Water itself can leave odors behind,
so you may want to use a filter on your
water faucet to prevent sulfur or chlorine
odors depending on the condition of your
source.
Alternatives
It’s not always convenient or practical
to haul around fragile wine glasses in certain
situations such as camping, boating, hiking,
etc… But, don’t let that spoil
your ability to enjoy a glass of wine whenever
or wherever you want. Find a container that
suits your needs and enjoy.
While this information on glassware is useful,
and can definitely help to improve the taste
of your wine, remember that these are just
guidelines, not rules. For there is only
one true rule when drinking wine: drink
however and whatever you enjoy because in
the end it’s all about personal preference.
But, if you do want to learn more about
why and how a wine glass can affect and/or
improve the overall wine drinking experience…or
if you’re just curious as to what
all the fuss is about…this information
can be useful.
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