Wine glass
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Cocktail (martini) glass
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A wine glass is a type of glass stemware which is used to drink and taste wine. It is generally composed of three parts: the bowl, stem, and foot. Selection of a particular wine glass for a wine style is important, as the glass shape can influence its perception.
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[edit] Proper Use
It is important to note the most obvious, but often most neglected, part of the wine glass--the stem. The proper way to drink from the wine glass is to grasp it by the stem and drink. The purpose of this is so the temperature of the wine is not affected when holding the glass. This is achieved because the stem is not in direct contact with the wine. It would be more difficult to control the temperature of the wine if one held the glass by the bowl because it is in direct contact with the wine.
[edit] Materials
Wine glasses made of fused or cut glass will often interfere with the flavor of the wine, as well as creating a rough, thick lip, from which it is not as pleasurable to drink. Blown glass results in a better vessel, with a thinner lip, and is usually acceptable for casual wine drinkers. High quality wine glasses are made of crystal, which is porous and helps to aerate the wine.[citation needed] Crystal glasses also produce a better ringing sound when toasting. Wine glasses are generally not coloured or frosted as this would impede the appreciation of its colour.
[edit] Shapes
The shape of the glass is also very important, as it concentrates the flavor and 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Champagne flutes
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.
[edit] ISO Wine tasting glass
The ISO has standardized a series of glasses for wine tasting. They are stemmed with elongated, tapered bowls, with capacities of 120 (for sherry), 210, 300 or 410: milliliters.ISO 3591:1977 [1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Scientific study on the shape of a wine glass and perception
- A general overview of Wine Glass Stemware This report examines wine glasses - discussing attributes relating to the flavor of wine.
- Wines: Stemware This article from New York Magazine explains the importance of stemware in the realm of drinking wine.
