Enjoying good wine is pleasurable. It should be fun selecting the right Wine Glass to use for any occasion.
Choosing And Caring For Your Wine Glasses
Wine glasses can cover a huge range as to types uses and themes. For instance, theme or decorative wine glasses are usually colored. While the wine glasses we are mostly familiar with are clear; the bowls curve inward, like a tulip, attached to a stem and a circular base.
The wine glass’ bowl shape is for oxidation which is supposed to enhance the aroma, the bouquet, and the clarity – (all of which is aided by the swilling of the wine around the bowl of the glass, if you have ever wondered why people swill their wine). About the stem, long and sleek, stylish, some say. The stem is used to keep the warmth from the hands away from the wine. Which of course, has the added benefit of keeping the glass cleaner – no fingerprints on the bowl, please.
Which type of wine glass to purchase? There are (handblown) Lead Crystal wine glasses. A couple of the more popular brand of crystal glass are Riedel and Spiegelau wine glasses. There are lead free (break resistant, machine-made) crystal glasses. There are Polycarbonate (unbreakable) wine glasses. And then there are the polystyrene and styrene plastic wine glasses – which are the cheapest variety of wine glass.
There are as many as twenty types of tulip shaped wine glasses to choose from, varying in both quality and style. Size is king, and so it has become with wine glasses also. It used to be the glasses held 8 – 20 ounces. Now you can find smaller glasses (4 oz), and there’s also a category for enormous red wine glasses, holding upwards of 36 or 37 ounces.
How many glasses should you have?
Basically, you only need two to five types of wine glass. If you wanted to have five types, your selection could be: a glass for white wine, a glass or two for red wine (namely, Bordeaux and Bergundy), a Flute glass for Sparkling Wine or Champagne, and a Sherry glass.
The primary differences between each of these types of glass are the sizes of the bowls and the amount of ounces each can hold. It’s for the individual to decide which beverage, and therefore, which glass, he or she will use mostly. And of course, budget.
The white wine glass is the most common type of glass for wine, that is it can be used for both red or white wine. The chief distinction is that the bowls and tops of white wine glasses aren’t as wide as they are for red wine glasses.
The next type are the red wine glasses. Typically, two types: Bordeaux and Burgundy. Described as having a wider and rounder top for greater oxygen flow, which helps mix oxygen with the wine for more flavor and aroma.
The Bordeaux glasses are commonly for the full-bodied wines: a Merlot or Cabernet. Bordeaux glasses have the greater base or broad bowl. The Burgundy glasses are for the more fragrant, lighter reds like Pinot Noir.
Next, the flute glasses are for Champagne and Sparkling Wine. Sherry glasses have been known to be used with Port or Brandy. But having said that there is a traditional Port glass.
And finally, there is a stemmed water goblet or the red Wine Goblet.
Just how should you take care of your glassware?
Cleaning your wine glasses can vary. Some people load them in the dishwasher. This works with the lead-free crystal wine glasses. Handwashing glasses works best with the crystal lead (Hand Blown wine glasses). No soap is used. Handwash to avoid soap residue build-up. Use hot water and dry with lint free towel or air dry. The unbreakable glasses are safe to use with soap and water. The disposable wine glasses are just disposed of. You can find special wine glass cleaners. It is said, that you shouldn’t let red wine sit in crystal glass too long. And of course, if you are using disposable wine glasses, please recycle.
What about lead content in wine glasses?
There’s some mention about lead content in wine glasses and how the acidity in the wine can mix with the lead. Is it hazardous to health? Lead is chiefly found in the crystal glass. The allowable lead amount is 0.100 ppm (parts per million) and crystal wine glass fall well below this. And again, there are lead free crystal and Polycarb wine glasses on the market. Please drink responsibly.
A display of various wine glasses.
Additional Resources and Ideas
Once you start purchasing wine glasses sooner or later you may start thinking about other things related to wine.
I’ve found that I like opening wine bottles the conventional way with the manual cork screw or screwpull openers, but having said that the automatic wine bottle openers are fast and easy.
And also, if you are throwing a party or at a party and want to keep track of your wine glass, a functional and decorative wine glass idea might include wine glass charms.
More Stuff From Blogs About
About the Spiegelau Wine Glass
Over five centuries of hand craftsmanship and innovative modern glass making technologies, Spiegelau specializes to produce superb glasses for wine lovers.
A Brief History on Riedel Crystal and Wine Glasses
Claus Riedel was the first person in the long history of the glass to design its shape according to the character of the wine. He is thus the inventor of the functional wine glass.
Riedel & Spiegelaus Glasses: The Proof
I’m a fan, although they’re expensive. I like the stemless wine glasses for sake. I have both Riedel and Spiegelau glasses and to me they are equals.
A Little Historic Perspective On Storing And Transporting Wine
In the history of wine, the late seventeenth century was a great turning point due to the introduction of corked glass bottles for transporting and selling wines. This made it possible to store wines for many years and let them mature.
