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Get a brief overview of wine glasses with the Great Wines Online!
Choosing Wine Glasses
There really is no right or wrong glass for wine tasting
— or for drinking wine for that matter. However, there are some glasses that are better
than others for evaluating wines. First of all, we like to suggest using glasses that you
are comfortable using. Aesthetics aside, there are really only two things to remember when
considering a wine tasting glass: the size of the glass and the overall shape of the glass.
The more universally used tasting glass is called a chimney shape. Broader on the bottom
of the bowl, it tapers upward to a smaller opening. The broader bottom will enable you to
hold enough wine and give you plenty of room to swirl the wine, while the smaller opening
at the top will help to trap and focus the aromas, allowing you enough of a scent to assess
the wine.
Size Doesn't Matter
For the most part, if your glass is of this shape, the actual size of the glass is not
important other than it needs to be big enough and have a big enough opening for you to be
able to get your nose inside to really smell the wine. Some people swear by large
"Burgundy" style glasses that allow as much of the wine to come in contact with the air as
possible, therefore releasing as many of the aromas and flavors as possible. Others like
the convenience and ease of use of a smaller glass. Other considerations that will enhance
your tasting experience include glassware that is clear (no colors) and free of cuts or
engravings within the glass.
Many glass manufacturers have designed specific glasses for specific wine types or
varietals, taking in to account different aspects of the individual wine type. While this
is wonderful, it is not a necessary purchase for a complete wine tasting. The top producer
of these specialized wine glasses is an Austrian crystal company named Riedel (pronounced
REE-dle). They are exquisite and expensive.
Cleaning Wine Glasses
When it comes time to clean your glassware, try to avoid using soap. Instead use hot water
and rinse thoroughly. Soap can become trapped within the glass release soapy odors the next
time you use it. Although you may become quite proficient at identifying various brands of
dish soap, this ability and the soapy glasses that taught you will not add to the enjoyment
of a good glass of wine.
To summarize, it's important that you find good glassware for your wine tasting
experiences, but "good" does not necessarily mean "expensive." Find glassware that you are
comfortable with and adequately serves its purpose: presenting wine for your evaluation and
enjoyment.
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