The type of glass in which wine is traditionally served has a specific shape that is fairly easy to recognize and that also serves a specific purpose. However, there are various different types of wine glass, each suited to a different type of wine. The slight differences between the shapes of these glasses are not simply cosmetic considerations but are meant to enhance the drinker’s experience of whichever type of wine is intended to be served in them.

The Shape Of A Wine Glass

The distinctive shape of a wine glass sets it apart from an ordinary table glass or cup and is most easily recognized as a large, curved bowl atop a long, slender stem. The stem of the wine glass prevents the drinker’s fingers from coming into contact with the bowl. If the drinker were to hold the bowl, the glass would conduct the person’s body temperature into the wine and cause the wine to become warmer than the server intended. For wines that are served chilled, such as champagne, this consideration of temperature is of particular importance and necessitates a long stem. White wines other than champagne are also served chilled and will frequently be served in a wine glass that has an especially long stem.

The bowl component of a wine glass also owes its form to its use. You’ll notice that the bowl of a wine glass seems overlarge compared with the amount of wine in a single serving, such that a glass of wine is traditionally filled to only a fraction of its capacity. The reason for this might be apparent to anyone who has spent time at a wine tasting demonstration. An expert wine taster will sample the wine’s aroma before actually taking a sip, swirling the wine in the glass to saturate the air near the surface of the wine with the wine’s fragrance. The bowl allows the wine to have a relatively large surface area, which enables the wine to breathe, while the sides of the bowl contain the aroma-infused air. Red wines, which are normally served at approximately room temperature, may be served in glasses with large bowls. Because the aroma rather than the temperature represents the important factor with a red wine, the emphasis in option of wine glasses should be on the size of the bowl rather than the length of the stem.

After selecting the right wine glass for the type of wine that you plan to serve, you still have one final step. It is important that any wine glasses be immaculately clean. A gentle cleansing with warm, soapy water is enough to rid most wine glasses of any dirt or residue, but a last rinse with a diluted vinegar solution will also go a long way toward removing any soap deposits and giving your glasses a perfect shine. Your clean glasses should be stored where they will not be smudged with fingerprints, and you might even wish to handle your clean glasses with a napkin. With these tips, you can be sure that your wine glasses will provide the perfect presentation for your wine selection.

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