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Wine Glasses

Wine glasses are designed to ensure the highest quality wine temperature, texture and taste. Utilizing the stem of the glass is imperative to wine tasting as it keeps the wine from heating up. Using a snifter or regular glass for wine tasting will result in compromised taste and temperature.

While most wine glasses are composed of the same three parts: the bowl, stem and foot, not all bowls are alike. Bordeaux glasses are tall with a wide bowl. The wide bowl allows the wine to flow naturally to the back of the mouth. Full-bodied wines like Cabernets and Merlots are best for Bordeaux glasses. For delicate wines like Pinot Noirs, a Burgundy glass is appropriate. It has a larger bowl than the Bordeaux, which allows aroma to build as the wine evaporates. The larger bowl also allows wine to flow to the tip of the tongue.

Narrower, sometimes straight or tulip-shaped wine glasses work better for white wines. They reduce the surface area in the glass, which reduces the amount of air circulating in the bowl. The bowl then stays cooler, as does the wine. Body heat is also more contained when using a white wine glass (or champagne flute) because less contact occurs between the hand and the stem or bowl.

Wine glasses can be stored in a variety of places from wall shelving and countertops to hutches, cupboards or glass cases. While the general shape of the glass is imperative to wine tasting, designs can be unique and versatile adding any amount of playfulness, exoticness or tradition to the wine tasting area and cellar.