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5 Rules For Selecting Wine Glasses

Posted on May 2, 2012 By Anonymous

From reds to whites to champagne, wine experts deliver the simple rules that apply for selecting the best glass to pour your finest (or cheapest) wine.

Stemmed versus stemless. Decorative or clear. Flutes or bowls. And you thought wine pairing was only about foods. Turns out pairing begins with first choosing the right glass. Here are the top 5 rules to live by.

Rule #1: Stems Really Matter

Who didn't squeal with delight when Riedel, the longtime manufacturer of top wine glasses, designed stemless, lead-free ones for the masses. Aesthetically pleasing, seemingly more modern than your mother's etched wine glassware, their sleek simplicity was all the rage.

But according to wine experts nationwide, those rimless glasses are wrecking your wine experience. "When you hold a wine glass by the bowl, you automatically change the temperature of the wine due to your own body heat," says Carol Gropshover, a New York City-based Sommelier. "It's more damaging to white wine because whites are served chilled and you'll warm the wine and alter its taste," continues Gropshover.

So what's a girl to do? Select stemless glasses for red wines, which are served at room temperature; stick to stemmed glasses for white. If you want to break the rules, then use your stemless variety in less formal settings. When choosing stemmed glasses, pick ones that are long enough for a firm grip. Always hold stemmed glasses by the stem, never by the bowl. Who wants fingerprints and ruined wine?

Rule #2: Reds Need Plenty of Space

Is there really a difference between glasses for white and red wines? According to wine experts, the answer is yes. Reds—Merlots, Shirazs, Burgundys, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Savauignon, Chianti and Zinfindels—which have more full-bodied flavors, need room to breathe. That means red wine glasses should have tall stems, wide mouths and big bowls. A tall stem and a wide mouth allows you to fill the glass for swirling without spilling. The bigger the bowl, the better the swirl, which opens the wine's bouquet and reveals its alcohol content via its legs (the way wine runs down the bowl when it is swirled). A big bowl allows you to easily get a whiff of red wine's complex aromas.

Rule #3: Whites Don't Need to Breathe

White wines—Chardonnays, Reislings, Gertzweintrammers, Pinot Noirs—have lighter, less complex flavors, therefore they do not need as much room to breath. Because they are more delicate, delivering gentle puffs of aromas, white wines should be served in glasses with smaller bowls and a narrower mouth. They also do not need lots of swirling, so glasses with tall stems are not required. Due to a white wine's less complex makeup, the narrower the mouth, the easier it is for you to focus on its aromas. Tulip-shaped glasses, say experts, are the preferred choice for serving white wine.

Rule #4: Length and Size Matters

When it comes to celebrating with a sparkling wine, always serve it in flutes, which are tall and skinny. The length and size helps to contains your bubbles—whether from champagne or sparkling wine—and keeps them from going flat.

Rule #5: Serve it in Style

Whether it's just a few friends or with a special someone, select a stylish crystal decanter for serving your guests. We love this Amadeo version by Riedel ($339, available at Zappos.com). But you can find lower-priced versions at Wineenthusiast.com.

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Written By : Marcia Cole

Tags: How-To-Choose-Wine-Glasses