Choosing A Wine Glass
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The proper way to drink from a wine glass is to hold the wine glass by its stem and not directly the bowl. The reason being that the temperature of the wine does not get affected when holding the wine glass. This is achieved because the stem is not in direct contact with the wine. Therefore the heat from the body is not transferred to the wine.
There are different styles of wine glasses.
There are different factors on which one can decide which wine glass is suitable for a particular wine. These factors can be :
The size of the glass to intensify aromas, bouquets for different wines
The shape of the glass to direct the wine to specific parts of the tongue
The shape and size to emphasize the fruitiness in the wine
The shape that keeps the champagne from going flat
The shape and size that emphasizes the tannins in the wine
The shape that help keeps the temperature of the wine cooler longer, etc.
There are many other such factors that help in deciding that perfect glass for that special wine.
Selecting the best suitable glass for your wine style is about achieving balance in bringing out the distinct characteristics of that style of wine.
There are many different types of wine glasses, of varying styles and quality. However, the three main types of wine glasses are :
White Wine Glass
This glass is shaped like a tulip with a smaller bowl and a longer stem. The longer stem allows the wine glass to be held more easily by the stem. The reason being that there is no heat transfer from the body to the wine in the glass. Holding a glass of white wine from the bowl will warm it slightly which will affect the flavor characteristics and bouquet of the wine.
The reason behind the smaller bowl in white wine glass is that, it is not necessary to expose white wine to air as it is for certain red wines. The tapered lip on the top of the bowl concentrates the aroma of white wine, which is generally more slight and nuanced than that of red wine. The lip and the bowl of the glass is designed to deliver the wine to the proper place in the mouth, which is the front.
Red Wine Glass
This is a rounded glass with a large bowl and a smaller stem. Stem on a red wine glass is shorter than white wine glass as it doesn’t matter if the red wine glass is held by the stem or the bowl. Well, again the reason being, heat transfer. When a person holds a red wine glass from the bowl, the heat from their body is transferred to the wine, which warms the wine slightly. However, the slight rise in the temperature of the red wine does not affect the flavors and the bouquets of the wine.
A larger bowl allows red wine more exposure to air. The slight taper of the lip on the top of the bowl is designed to deliver the red wine to the right parts of the mouth, those being the back and sides of the tongue.
Champagne or Sparkling Wine Flute
This is a tall and thin glass. This shape keeps the champagne or the sparkling wine from going flat. Also, it helps maintain the cool temperature of the wine.
Some Tips
* Choose clear glasses to best enjoy the color and appearance of your wine.
* Fill your wine glass only 1/3 to 1/2 full. This allows the drinker to swirl the wine and release the aroma in the wine. The air space between the wine and the mouth of the glass allows air to bring out the best in the wine’s bouquets.
Washing Wine Glasses
It sounds pretty simple enough. What could be so special about washing a wine glass? Well, the truth is, wine glasses are typically a bit pricier than your everyday milk or juice glasses. They’re delicate, too. Therefore it is necessary to be just a little more careful with them.
First and foremost, do not wash stemware in a dishwasher. This might result in a broken stem and the high heat during the drying cycle actually can bake the residue from the soap in the glass. This eventually affects the flavor characteristics and aroma of the wine.
Avoid exposing cut glass and crystal to high temperatures.
Do not use harsh soaps as even just a trace of lemon or similarly scented washing-up liquid can ruin the nose of a wine. The stemware is thin and made up of porous material which can absorb odors which will ultimately affect the flavors and bouquets of the wines.
The best way to wash your delicate stemware is to wash them one glass at a time with slightly lukewarm water and a very mild dishwashing soap. Use a soft sponge to gently clean the glass. Then rinse it well with lukewarm water. Rinse it again if necessary to get rid of any soap residue.
After rinsing, dry each glass one at a time gently, with a soft microfibre cloth or a soft dishwashing cloth. Do not place stemware upside down to dry. Always dry by hand. Once dry, a quick polish will quickly rid them of any residual water marks, which look a little unsightly but are easily removed. Store them standing upright in a clean, odour-free cupboard ready for use.
How to pour a perfect glass of wine
Still wines should be poured towards the center of the glass. Champagnes and sparkling wines should be poured against the side, like a beer, so that unwanted bubbles do not show up. To control drips, one can twist the bottle slightly while tilting it upright.
When pouring wine, the glass should be filled no more than two-thirds. This will allow guests to swirl the wine and smell the bouquet. A glass can always be refilled if desired.
Of course, serve wine to the women and older guests first, then the men and end with your own glass.