When you hear the word "wine glass," many people probably think of a "smart, stemmed glass." While tulip-shaped glasses are the most common, there are many different sizes and shapes.
When you start enjoying wine, you want to use stylish glasses at home too. However, when it comes to actually choosing, many people may not know which ones to buy. Here, we will introduce some basic knowledge about wine glasses, as well as some points to consider when choosing the best glasses to use at home.
The reasons and types of wine glass shapes
First, let's check the names of the parts of a wine glass. A typical wine glass is divided into the following parts from the top: the rim, bowl, stem, and plate. The rim is the edge that touches your lips directly when drinking wine, the bowl is the rounded body, the stem is the base, and the plate supports the whole glass.
The reason wine glasses are shaped like this is because temperature changes subtly affect the taste of wine. There are other reasons besides appearance that make it better to hold the stem rather than the bowl when drinking. However, recently, stemless wine glasses that allow you to enjoy wine casually have become popular.
Although stemmed wine glasses may seem like a typical shape, they don't actually have a long history. The now popular tulip-shaped glasses first appeared in 1958, and as of 2020, they have only been around for about half a century. Before that, stemless trumpet-shaped glasses were the norm.
Let's take a look at the main types of wine glasses currently in vogue and their features.
Bordeaux glass
This shape is a representative example of the tulip shape. It features an egg-shaped bowl with a wide rim. It brings out the deep flavor and aroma of Bordeaux wine and softens the astringency.
Burgundy Glass
This glass has a wider bowl than a Bordeaux glass and a narrow rim like a goldfish bowl. Its shape is suitable for fragrant Burgundy wines, which have less astringency. Smaller types are also often used for white wines.
Chianti Glass
It is a tall glass with a narrow rim, and can be used for both red and white drinks, making it a highly versatile glass.
Montrachet Glass
This balloon-shaped glass has a wide rim and is perfect for enjoying the vibrant aroma of white wine.
Flute Glass
A tall champagne glass. The narrow rim prevents the carbonation from escaping, and the long, slender shape creates a beautiful fizz.
How to choose a wine glass
There are many different types of wine glasses. Choosing a wine glass can be a difficult decision. Let's take a look at some points to consider when choosing one.
Tips for choosing wine glasses
The main factors in choosing a wine glass are the shape, color, and durability. The tulip-shaped glass, which became popular in the 20th century, was popular because it brings out the best in wine. The tapered rim traps the aroma and brings out a rich flavor.
The larger the bowl, the fuller the aroma, but it takes up more space and is more difficult to handle, so we recommend a moderate size for home use. The beautiful color is one of the joys of drinking wine. It is best to choose a glass that is as transparent as possible.
On the other hand, high-quality glass that is thin and delicate has high transparency, but there are concerns about its durability when used at home. We recommend glass that is reasonably thick and in a price range that makes it easy to replace.
If you're choosing for the first time?
If you are choosing a glass for wine at home for the first time, we recommend a glass that can be used for both red and white wine. A glass of a suitable size for beginners is the Ovanture series by Riedel. If you are worried about the thin stem, a stemless glass would also be fine.
Riedel's "Riedel O" Riesling/Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for casual red and white wines. It's a good idea to start off by getting used to wines without being too tense, and once you get to know your preferences, you can gradually collect your wines using the characteristics mentioned above as a reference.
How to handle wine glasses and precautions
The basic way to wash a wine glass is to hold the bowl gently and wash it gently, paying special attention to the rim, which is prone to breaking. If the glass is only slightly dirty, you can use just hot water at about 45 degrees. If you are concerned about stains, apply a small amount of detergent to a sponge and wash the glass, focusing on the rim, which is prone to getting dirty. It is said that the most common situation in which a wine glass breaks is while it is being washed.
The safest option is to not wash it after drinking wine, but rather rinse it lightly and fill it with hot or cold water, then wash it the next day after you have sobered up. To dry it quickly and neatly, use two large, lint-free cloths.
summary
・Knowing about wine glasses will help you enjoy your wine life even more.
・It is important to choose a wine glass that suits your budget, rather than trying too hard from the start.
Wine may seem like a high hurdle, but if you learn about wine glasses along with the characteristics of the wine itself, your knowledge will deepen and it will be easier to remember. The best way to increase your experience is to enjoy wine at home.
Beautiful wine glasses are intriguing, but you don't need to buy expensive ones right from the start. Start with a wine glass that fits your budget so you can enjoy wine at home with ease.
Easy to use bamboo wine vessel
RIVERET products are made from Moso bamboo and are all dishwasher safe, so you can relax after enjoying a glass of delicious wine at home with less cleaning up time.
