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Sep
04

Wine glasses for every occassion

Professional wine tasters and sommeliers know it is vital to choose the appropriate wine glass depending on the type of wine they are sampling. As is apparent, wine glasses have three basic parts: the bowl, stem, and foot. What is not so apparent is how the parts and their combination can influence the perception or interpretation of the wine’s sensory information. Here’s what to consider before your next wine excursion.

Red Wine Glasses

Red wine glasses generally have a wider bowl allowing the grapes to mix well with oxygen. The larger bowl allows the aroma and flavors of the wine, such as Merlot or Syrah, to be fully expressed after blending thoroughly with air. The principle behind the aeration of wine using a red wine glass is similar to one of the reasons a wine decanter might be used for a bottle of red wine; allowing oxygen to completely penetrate the liquid. The length of the stem can also have a bearing on how the wine is received on the palate. A longer stem will cause the red wine, with its entire flavor, to be directed to the back of the mouth. Conversely, a wider bowl and shorter stem will guide the wine toward the tip of the tongue, such as those find on modern stemless wine glasses. The accumulation of aroma in a wider bowl and the direction of flavor to the tongue are more desirable effects when sipping a subtle wine such as Pinot Noir.

 

White Wine Glasses

White wine glasses are often narrower at the top of the bowl and possess a longer bowl overall. There are many different styles of white wine glasses but the effects they attempt to achieve are the same. White wines, in contrast to red wines, are full of delicate flavors and are typically lighter in aroma. To accentuate these characteristics, white wine glasses allow less oxygen to mix with the wine thus preserving more of the varying flavors. Some full-bodied white wines, such as Chardonnay, are best enjoyed slightly oxidized and so are served in a white wine glass with a slightly larger bowl.

Champagne Flutes

Another type of white wine glasses are champagne flutes. The flute shape of the bowl accomplishes three distinct functions. First, the narrow flute keeps the oxygen exposure of the champagne relatively low. Second, it allows the champagne to maintain its level of carbonation, one the most desirable characteristics, for a longer period of time. Third, the longer flute-shaped bowl adds aesthetic appeal to the wine by allowing a greater distance for the bubbles to travel. Finally, the longer stem of the champagne flute and other white wine glasses allow a greater area for the drinker to hold thus preventing body warmth from heating the wine.

 

Sherry Glasses

 

Sherry glasses aren’t just for serving sherry but can include such sipping beverages as port, liqueurs, and aperitifs. Similar to the concept of white wine glasses, sherry glasses have shorter, narrower bowls preventing rapid oxidation. In addition, they are smaller in size than both red and white wine glasses. The International Standardization Organization set the volume of sherry glasses at 4.1 fluid ounces. So, next time you want to fully enjoy your favorite wine or alcoholic beverage, take a moment to choose a vessel that will amplify your wines most pleasing characteristics.

Sep
04

When should you use a wine decanter?

When you think of wine decanters, what is the first thing that comes to mind. If you are really into home decorating your first thought may be “decanter = decoration”. I mean, what else would they mold such fancy glass creations for other than art, right? Well, the sophisticated wine drinker needs to understand that a decanter is a necessary instrument for properly enjoying a bottle of wine. Should you always use a decanter? What exactly do they do? This article answers those questions and more.

Let’s start with what a wine decanter is used. As wine ages there can be a level of sediment that arrises from the liquid. Properly pouring the wine into the decanter helps separate that sediment so that you won’t have little floaties in your drink. Let’s face it, when you see floaties, you think bugs. Can you imagine opening a hundred-dollar bottle of Cab you’ve been carefully aging for decades, pouring that first delicious glass, and staring at a bunch of floating sediment? Or worse yet, handing a glass of wine to your distinguished guests and seeing the disgusted looks on their faces.

Wine decanters also let your beverage “air out” before serving. It is important that the wine is exposed to oxygen to open up flavors. Of course, you don’t have to use a wine decanter for this, which leads us to our second question, “should you always use a decanter?” If you properly plan for it you simply need to open the bottle of wine. Opening the wine early can give the wine the time it needs to get oxygen. If you don’t have the space or money for a wine decanter just become a better planner. Some experienced wine drinkers actually induce extra oxygen contact as a part of drinking. You can do this by taking a sip of wine, leaving your mouth partly open, and lightly inhaling while the wine is in your mouth. Few are aware of this technique but we have witnessed Sommoliers doing it firsthand.

There are two specific times it really helps to use a decanter and both are based upon age. First, if you are drinking a really young wine you will want it to get as much exposure to oxygen as possible (within reason of course- you don’t want the wine to go bad) to open up flavors. This is because the wine flavor hasn’t been given a lot of time to properly develop in the bottle. Tip the bottle upright and allow it to splash all over the inside of the decanter. This technique increases the surface area of the wine for maximum wine-oxygen contact.

Second, if you are drinking a really old wine you should decant it. This again is to help separate the particles that will have formed in the bottle. A lot of inexperienced drinkers think that particles mean the wine is rotten, but this is frequently not the case. When decanting old wines delicately and slowly pour the wine along the inside of the decanter. Your goal is to keep the chunks in the bottle and out of your wine glass. Both young and old wines can benefit from swirling the decanter, much like a wine glass, to increase exposure to oxygen further.

In summary, decanters are fun, stylish, and useful. They can be used to increase wine flavor, remove junk from the wine, or just style up your home bar. Many artisticly styled wine decanters come in sets with complimentary styled wine glasses.

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