How Many Wine Glass Types Do You Really Need

The shape and size of glass from which you drink a wine is often not something people are concerned about. The taste remains the same right? Well, it is becoming increasingly popular to have a number of sets of glasses especially for different types of wine.  This was a concept of Mr Riedel’s (the famous wine ware brand) grandfather Claus, who was the first to produce different sized and shaped glasses to compliment to drinking of certain wine.Lots of people have since agreed with the thinking of Riedel’s grandfather and are convinced that differences can be highlighted. One of the most passionate being Shaun Green, a buyer for K & L Wine Merchants in San Francisco who says “It really does make a difference”.  Riedel now have over 40 different types of wine glasses, but if you can’t afford, or haven’t got space for these glasses, how many are vital to own?

Red Wine – You really need a big-bowled smooth and basic glass for the drinking of red wine. This enhances the ability to swish the wine in the glass and liberate its full flavours. The nose is also easily let into the body of the glass which maximises the ability to inhale the sweet aromas. This is a characteristic that is also seen in a whisky glass

White Wine – A smaller-bowled glass with a higher rim is needed for drinking white wine. The creates a nice compact space for the flavours to swell and prevents any of the aroma from exiting the glass.

Champagne – The long thin iconic shape of champagne flutes is needed to drink this luxury product. The bubbles are preserved in the flute better than they would be in another glass and the the narrow rim prevents the carbonated air from entering the sinuses.

Pretty much every one of the wines on the market today can be enjoyed from one of these three glass shapes so make sure you have those at least. So if you don’t own these 3, you’re not getting the best from your wines.