Food & Drink
The shape of the goblet adds to the enjoyment of the wine
The Thrill of the Glass
ELIZABETH GRAHAM
Fall 2007 |
There is a glass suited to every major type of wine and grape variety, which can number into the hundreds.
Choosing the right glass is based on the premise that the vessel enhances or modifies the acidity, fruitiness and tannin by delivering the wine to a particular place in the mouth.
Experts have studied what kind of bowl brings out the wine’s aroma the best. The proper bowl prepares the wine for drinking. It aerates the wine and enhances the taste.
Here’s a look at some of the favourite wine glasses from Reidel’s Vinum line of stemware:
Cabernet, Merlot or Bordeaux: The large bowl gives proper room for the bouquet to develop layers of aroma given more empty space in the glass. The narrow opening concentrates these aromas toward your nose. The thin rim directs the wine toward the front of the tongue, allowing jammy, fruity flavours to dominate before the flavors of tannins are directed towards the back of the tongue.
Pinot Noir or Burgundy: The distinctive bouquet of this grape benefits from the flared shape of the glass, directing the wine toward the tip of the tongue. The glass balances the fruit and natural acidity of the wine, creating a unique and harmonious tasting experience.
Syrah/Shiraz: The generous bowl allows for perfect oxygenation as well as flavour and bouquet optimization.
Sauvignon Blanc: A gently curved, narrow bowl keeps temperature low and aromas focused. The narrow rim delivers the flow across the taste zones of the tongue with a balance of sweetness and acidity crucial to white wines. This heightening of aroma and simple shape matches a variety of whites from dry and fresh to voluptuous and rich.
Chardonnay or Chablis: The bowl size emphasizes the wine’s true bouquet, while optimizing its wide range of rich aromas.
Champagne Flute: The delicate shape of the flute glass accentuates champagne’s delicate bubbles, pleasing both the nose and palate.
Martini or cocktail glass: This inverted shape enhances the perfect balance of any artful drink, creating an elegant, artful presentation.
