Does the wine make the glass or does the glass make the wine?

     In our cabinet sit a set of beautiful crystal glasses. There are white and red wine glasses and champagne flutes. They are trimmed in gold and are cut with beautiful designs that reflect light like a prism. And they are never used. While these glasses are unique and pretty to look at, they are not functional for anyone who truly wants to have a proper wine experience.

      Conventional wisdom suggests that one does not get the most out of individual wines unless the wine is drunk from a specific glass. The first problem with the crystal glasses we own is their size. While the red wine glasses are the largest, they are not large enough to swirl the wine. Further, they do not accommodate one's nose to fully take in the wonderful aromas wine offers. A red wine glass is round and full with an opening that allows one to dip their nose into the glass to get a sufficient whiff. A red wine needs a large glass with enough surface area so the wine comes in contact with more air.

       Basic-wine-knowledge.com suggests having a Bordeaux and a Burgundy glass. The Bordeaux glass is taller with a smaller bowl. The tallness of the glass allows heavier, full-bodies reds like Cabernet and Merlot, to proceed to the back of the mouth, allowing maximum flavor. A Bugundy glass, on the other hand, is not as tall but has a larger bowl. This design allows the wine to cross the tip of the tongue, letting the individual enjoy the more delicate favors.

     There is also a glass known as a Pinot Noir glass, and, a more specific version known as an Oregon Pinot Noir glass. This glass has a large bowl and a flared top.

     For white wines, the glasses are more upright and U-shaped, allowing aromas to be released while maintaining a cooler temperature. Two white wine glasses are suggested, one for younger, crisp whites which has a larger opening allowing the wine to hit the sides and tip of tongue, so the individual enjoys the sweetness of the wine. The other type of glass is for more mature, fuller wines. This glass is straighter and taller, directing the wine to the sides and back of the tongue, thereby allowing the enjoyment of the bolder favors.

      There are also sparkling and dessert wine glasses. The sparkling wine glass, like a champagne flute, is upright and narrow to retain carbonation and allow the flavors of the wine to emerge. The dessert wine glass, on the other hand, should be smaller, directing the wine to the back of the throat so as not to overwhelm the individual with sweetness. Since a dessert wine has a higher alcohol content, a smaller glass is the perfect portion.

     A few things to remember with your wine glass:

• hold your glass by the stem, so as not to increase the temperature of the wine through the heat in your hands.
• if you are a novice, swirl the glass while it sits on the table, rather than while holding it in the air. (This will allow you to drink your wine, rather than wear it.)
• when smelling your wine, stick your nose into the glass, don't be shy!
• when viewing the wine, tip the glass away from you with a white napkin as the background.
• most of all, enjoy!

"Wine is music, the glass is the speaker." Georg Riedel

Cheers!
Mary Jo

Wine Word of the Week:

Lees:  left over yeast cells from fermentation that settle to the bottom of the container. Wine that is left in contact with the lees (sur lie) can have added complexity, flavor, and viscosity.