Do Wine Glasses Really Matter?

Whether you're dining out or in, the enjoyment ofswirling and development of the wine's bouquet as
eating and drinking is always enhanced by tableit is only half full. Glasses less than 10 ounces are
linens, silver, fine china and glassware. Your choicetoo small for swirling. Larger glasses, 20 or 24
of a wine glass can detract from or enhance yourounces, can be too big and too awkward to drink
wine tasting experience! Wine glasses that arefrom.
tinted with color or decoratively etched orA variety of shapes are available and your
embossed are not really suitable for wine drinking.preference should guide you when selecting wine
The color of wine is as much a part of theglasses for your home use. Shapes are usually
pleasure as its bouquet and flavor. Is your whitedesigned according to the character of the wine.
wine golden, amber, hay colored or greenish? Is itSome shapes are better suited for particular
clear? Does it have sediment or crystals? Doeswines than others. A glass that narrows at the
your red wine offer you garnet or ruby hues ortop helps to concentrate the bouquet of a white
purplish tones? Is it free from sediment? Is itwine and also helps to keep it chilled. Larger
leggy? Is it clear? Wine glasses that obscure orbowled glasses are best for red wines for
alter the color of wine detract from the wineaeration and to capture varied jewel tones.
itself! The most appropriate wine glasses are clearPort or Sherry is best served in smaller, narrow
and have a bowl large enough to swirl. Swirlingglasses with a straight shape. Four to six ounces
allows for aerating the wine or letting the wineis best for these types of wines.
"breathe".There are a variety of styles, lines and versions
Many theories exist about whether wines improveof wine glasses available. Do some reading and
or do not improve with aeration. I know that notexperimenting with wine glasses and you'll find
all but some wines, indeed, do improve withthat some shapes and sizes enhance particular
aeration.wines!
The perfect size glass for a red or white wine isWine glasses do make a difference in your wine
about 10 ounces. A wine serving is typically 5tasting pleasure!
ounces, therefore a glass this size allows for