Wine Glasses

Using the proper wine glass can enhance the appearance smell and taste of the wines you are drinking. You don't need to spend a fortune on the best glasses to get good results, but glasses are like everything else and typically you do "get what you pay for".

Use clear glasses so that you get an undisturbed view of your wine. Tinted glasses, or even crystal, can alter the appearance of the wine. The same goes for etched or painted glasses.

Glasses that are wider at the bottom and taper slightly inward at the top, are a better choice. The wider container base allows for a better swirling action of the wine, within the glass. This releases the wines aroma more fully, which in turn will give the taster a more complete sniff of the wine's characteristics. The tighter opening toward the top of the glass will help to funnel or direct this aroma towards the nostrils, instead of it dissipating through a broader space and being lost.

Typically, red wines are served in a larger glass than white wines because this gives the reds more space to breathe. Most of this exposure takes place within the glass and helps to enhance the flavors of the red wine. White wines should be served in a glass with a medium bowl with sides that also taper inwards for the best aroma.

Glass thickness can also be a factor in your wine drinking experience. Choose thinner glass over thick, because the temperature of the wine will be less affected. Serve your sparkling wines and champagnes in tall, thin glasses with straight sides (flutes). These types of glasses help to hold on to the bubbles and keep them from being released too quickly. Your sparkling wines will go flat much sooner if you use a regular wine glass.

Higher alcohol content, fortified wines are usually served in a slightly smaller wine glass. This differentiates between regular wines and identifies the increased alcohol content.

These are some general guidelines that will hopefully help you to serve in the proper glass, which will in turn let you get the most out of your wines.