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How to Choose The Right Glass To Serve Your Wine
by Fairfax Tolman
http://www.ftwine.com
One of the controversies surrounding the serving of wine is
whether or not the shape of the glass affects the taste of
the wine, and if so, how much?
The shape of the glass can subtly influence such things as
the layering of vapors released by the wine by funneling
those vapors and concentrating the ones that are give the
wine its characteristic notes. It can also direct the flow
of wine so that it touches the palate or tongue at the place
where those notes are most likely to be tasted.
Riedel has done experiments with independent wine tasters to
test its contention that the shape of a glass can change and
influence its taste and the 'total experience'. In several
tests, the glassmaker served wine to experts in a variety of
glass shapes and asked them to identify the wine. In many
cases, wine experts identified the same wine served in a
different shape of glass as a different wine entirely.
Does it really make a difference? Riedel cites as evidence
that it does experiments carried out at their wine-tasting
labs, where renowned wine experts were served the same wine
in a variety of glasses and asked to rate and identify the
wine. In most cases, the oenophiles were convinced that
they'd been served completely different varieties of wine.
Size is the single most important factor in choosing a good
wine glass. Bigger is better - 20 ounces is the ideal size
for most wines. In any case, a wine glass should never be
filled to the brim. Allow at least 2/3rds the height of the
glass for the vapors to collect and settle.
Size is the single most important factor in enhancing the
flavor of a fine wine. In this case, bigger is definitely
better. The bowl of the glass should hold approximately 20
ounces. Resist the temptation to fill to the rim, though.
For best flavor, the glass should never be more than 1/3
full.
To further emphasize their point, Riedel's testers have
carried out experiments where oenophiles - wine experts -
were served wine in glasses of various shapes and sizes, and
asked to identify each variety. Surprisingly, many of the
experts mistakenly identified several glasses as being
different varieties, though they were actually poured from
the same bottle.
Serve red wines in large glasses, with wide bowls and narrow
lips - the classic 'tulip' shape. Their full body benefits
from the openness to concentrate the vapors.
White wines should be served in glasses that are narrower
and have a thinner taper to the mouth in order to preserve
the delicate notes of their lighter vapors. Red wines can be
served in glasses that are more goblet shaped to allow their
characteristic bouquet to gather and settle before being
delivered to the nose. Sparkling wines should be served in
tall, narrow flutes to minimize the exposure of the wine's
surface to the air and preserve its effervescent sparkle.
If you only choose one glass (and at $90 to $200 for a set
of six, you might want to confine yourself to one choice),
it should be a mid-size glass with a tulip shape. The
classic Chianti or Bordeaux glass is similar enough to most
glasses used to serve white wine that your palate will never
notice the difference.
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