The Wine Glass, Truly a Must-Have !
A Grand Story to Understand the Importance of Using a Wine Glass.
I highly recommend you read this article where I explain why choosing the right wine glasses is so important. But if you’re just looking for my comparison, you can find it here: The Selection of the Best Wine Glasses.
The Pleasure of Drinking Wine : Much More Than Just Tasting
We often talk about the pleasure of drinking wine, but we often overlook an essential element: the glass in which we enjoy it. I will always remember an experience I had while selling the school’s wine to wine merchants in Bordeaux. One day, I encountered a gentleman whom my friend and I approached without knowing who he was. I poured him some wine to taste, and he asked my friend and me if we liked it. We admitted, somewhat disappointed, that we did not.
He then asked us to wait, went to fetch something, and allowed us to admire his magnificent cellar located near Arcachon (Bordeaux). When he returned, he served us the same wine we hadn’t been excited about, but this time in beautiful wine glasses. He then asked us to taste it again. And there, to our surprise! The wine had become much deeper, full of flavors, with much more fruit and character on the nose. It certainly wasn’t a great wine, but it was nothing like what we had tasted before! Thank you, Mr. Menozzi!
This experience made me realize how much the wine glass can influence tasting. A suitable glass can reveal aromas and flavors that one wouldn’t perceive in an ordinary glass. So, the next time you open a bottle of wine, take the time to choose the right glass. You won’t regret it!
A Wine Glass is More Than Just a Simple Container
A wine glass is not just a simple container; it can play a crucial role in the tasting of wine by revealing its aromas and flavors.
Many of the glasses found on tables are INAO glasses (National Institute of Origin and Quality). These glasses were designed to detect flaws in wine but not to enhance it.
An appropriate wine glass allows the aromas of the wine to breathe. It opens them up, reveals them, and enhances them, providing the wine with a richer and more complex expression.
Each grape variety has a different sensitivity to air. A glass suited to a particular grape variety will help to bring out the best of its aromas. This is easily explained by the composition of the bitterness, acidity, tannins, and sugars that a wine can possess. Winemaking plays a significant role in the development and expression of wines.
During another tasting, a sommelier explained to us the importance of the wine glass. He showed us how a suitable glass can transform an ordinary wine into a superb experience!
Thank you to the passionate sommeliers who share their knowledge and help us appreciate wine better !
Here is my selection of glasses to help you love wine as much as I do !
Wine is much more than just a simple beverage. It is an art, a passion, and a cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years. To fully appreciate the complexity of a wine’s aromas and flavors, it is essential to choose the right wine glass. In this article, we will explore the usefulness of wine glasses and why their selection is more than just a tradition; it is a necessity for every wine enthusiast. I will try to be concise, but I want to mention that winemakers, vineyards, appellations, denominations, and terroirs also play a role in the expression of your wine, but that’s a topic for the more experienced and meticulous among us.
The Shape and Size Matter for a Wine Glass !
The Shape and Size of a Wine Glass Matter !
The shape and size of a wine glass are not insignificant details. In fact, they have a significant impact on how wine is perceived by our senses in several ways:
The Concentration of Aromas :
The shape of the wine glass can either concentrate or disperse the aromas of the wine. Wine glasses typically have a narrower neck than the upper part, which helps trap the aromas inside the glass.
Red wines, for example, often benefit from glasses with a wider opening to allow for better aeration, while white wines express themselves better in glasses with a narrower opening to preserve their freshness. The rim and the bowl are often wider.
The Interaction with the Mouth :
The shape of the wine glass also influences how the wine comes into contact with your mouth. Some glasses are designed to direct the wine to specific areas of the tongue, which can accentuate different sensations, from acidity to sweetness and bitterness. This can make the tasting experience more complex and nuanced. The wider the rim, the more oxidation of the aromas can occur. The bowl and shoulders also play a role in this interaction.
We understand that there are several types of Wine Glasses :
There is a wide variety of wine glasses, each designed for specific types of wine. Here are some of the most common types of glasses and their recommended uses:
Red Wine Glass
This wine glass is characterized by its wide shape with a flared rim. It is perfect for red wines, particularly fuller-bodied wines like Bordeaux, Loire Valley wines, Burgundy wines, grapes variety of Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet, etc. The shape allows the wine to aerate and fully express its aromas. Tannins also play a major role in this expression, as they have antioxidant properties. This means that a tannic wine (the drying sensation in the mouth) will have a different opening potential compared to a white wine.
White Wine Glass
White wine glasses have a narrower shape and a tighter rim to preserve the freshness of white wines. They are ideal for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin, and other aromatic white wines.
Champagne or Sparkling Wine Glass
These glasses are designed to showcase the bubbles and aromas of sparkling wines. Their elongated shape helps preserve the effervescence and concentrate the aromas, enhancing your sparkling wines, Crémants, Prosecco, Clairettes, and Champagnes. The bubbles follow the profile of the glass better, ensuring a pleasant tasting experience.
A small note for those who may not be as knowledgeable: crémant is also a sparkling wine, made under the same standards (the same production methods from A to Z) as Champagne! The name Champagne is designated for a specific appellation, while Crémant is a more generic appellation in France. You can find a Crémant d’Alsace or a Crémant de Loire; they use the same methods of production (but not necessarily the same grapevine, vineyard, or grape variety).
Dessert Wine Glass
Dessert wines, such as ice wines and fortified wines, are served in smaller glasses with an even narrower opening. This allows for the concentration of sweet aromas, enabling full appreciation. These wines are often more aromatic, and this is also due to their texture; the sugar and the taste buds react differently to light, dry white wines compared to sweet or luscious dessert wines.
The Science of Wine Tasting
Wine tasting is a complex science. The aromas, flavors, texture, finesse, bouquet, grape variety, and temperature of the wine are all elements that interact in subtle ways. Wine glasses specially designed for this purpose are the result of decades of research and development aimed at optimizing these interactions. Naturally, younger wines tend to require greater aeration; this is not reserved solely for grand crus or great wines. A wine is a complete “work” in itself, and there should be no distinction between a small winemaker and a grand château when it comes to how to approach it; you need a good wine glass.
“A study conducted by the tasting laboratory at the University of Bordeaux showed that the shape of the glass has a significant impact on the perception of the wine’s aromas. Researchers discovered that aroma molecules evaporate differently in glasses of various shapes, thus affecting how tasters perceive these aromas.” Vintage years also need to be considered; wines from a poor year, referred to as a “bad vintage,” are often more sensitive to oxygen. For example, if you enjoy a particular estate and open two bottles from different years, the expression in the glass and its development can vary greatly.
Conclusion :
Ultimately, the utility of wine glasses goes far beyond mere tradition. Choosing the right wine glass for each type of wine you taste can significantly enhance your tasting experience. When you invest in good wine glasses, you discover new dimensions in your favorite wines and appreciate each sip even more.
So, the next time you dive into the world of wine, take the time to select the best wine glass that will showcase all the hidden treasures in your favorite bottle. This is where I come in: here is my latest article on choosing the right wine glass, complete with examples: The Choice of the Best Wine Glasses. And why not take a look at the Vino Lovers video to learn more: How to Choose Your Glasses Properly ?