Wine Glasses: The Splendid Table

Wine Glasses
by Mary Ewing Mulligan
April 4, 1998

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It is possible, of course, to drink wine from any old glass - or plastic, for that matter - but if you're serving a good wine, stemware is in order. Mary says it's more that just a matter of etiquette: the glass does affect the flavor and nose of the wine. She offers a few suggestions to consider when purchasing wine glasses:

Purchase a couple of different shapes. Round balloons and taller, slimmer shaped glasses are good initial choices.
Look for the thinnest glass possible, and it should be clear. Pastel or dark colored glass may be pretty but it distorts the true color of the wine.
Select glasses with a fine rim rather than a rolled rim.
It isn’t necessary to buy different glasses for each kind of wine as there are all-purpose glasses available that are fine for both red and white wines. And you don't have to spend a fortune. Mary suggests the following manufacturers for consideration:

St. George Crystal: Makes crystal glasses in all shapes and sizes that sell for around three to four dollars per glass and are available in most wine stores. Mary loves their INAO glass, a small standardized tasting glass that fits in the dishwasher. However, this glass is too small for a nice red wine.

Riedel Crystal: This Austrian glass specialist has done extensive research on which glass shapes are best for the major types of wine and makes a glass for each type. Riedel produces three lines: The modestly-priced Overture series; the medium-priced Vinum series; and for the serious aficionado, the hand-blown Sommelier glasses priced in the $50 to $70 (each!) range.

A Word About Caring for Crystal Glasses:

Detergents often leave a filmy residue in glasses, which can affect the aroma and flavor of your wine. We strongly advise that you clean your good crystal glasses by hand, using washing soda or baking soda (washing soda is the better of the two; it doesn’t cake up, like baking soda). Neither product leaves any soapy, filmy residue in your glass. Washing soda can be found in the soap/detergent section of all supermarkets. Buy the least expensive store brand.

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