Definition: wine glasses - choosing the right ones

Glass is a mixture of sand, soda and lime melted at a temperature ranging between 1400 and 1600 degrees Celsius. This technique was already known in Egyptian times, when the first windows – still opaque – were made from this material. In the days of the great monarchies, heavy glasses embellished with gold, often engraved, were a sign of wealth at the tables of royalty, while the common people and the bourgeoisie drank wine from wooden or pewter goblets and porcelain cups.
It was not until the advent of the industrial era that glass objects began to be manufactured at affordable prices. The first automatic glass blowing machine was put into service in 1903, and since then, mechanical glass production has continued to improve.
A wine glass consists of three parts: the bowl, the stem and the base. The base ensures the stability of the glass. The stem is the rod that connects the base to the bowl. It gives the glass its elegance and must be long enough to be held without touching the bowl, the size and shape of which influence the taste of the wine. A small bowl with rounded edges – a sign of a certain thickness – makes any wine appear bland and acidic, whereas a glass with a capacity of 3 to 4 decilitres, or even more, allows the wine to fully express its aromas. The tulip shape has the advantage of retaining aromas, making them clearly perceptible to the nose. Even for large glasses, it is advisable never to pour more than 1 to 1.5 decilitres of wine, unless you are deliberately trying to aerate it.
Finally, a thin, polished rim allows the wine to flow delicately onto the tongue. The tongue has different taste zones: sweetness is perceived by the tip of the tongue, acidity and saltiness by the sides, and bitterness by the back of the tongue and palate. The shape of the glass has a direct influence on which part of the tongue comes into contact with the wine first and most intensely. If it has closed rims, the flow is fine and concentrated, so that the wine flows more onto the taste buds that are sensitive to acidity. Conversely, a flared glass allows for a wide flow, so that the wine very quickly reaches the area that reacts to
sweetness, namely the tip of the tongue.
Austrian glass designer Claus Josef Riedel was the first to recognise the interactions between grape variety, glass shape and taste perception. Furthermore, the new quality of wines developed in the 1970s called for the creation of new glasses, which prompted Claus Josef Riedel to create the "Sommeliers" series in collaboration with the Italian Sommelier Association. Launched in 1973, this series has established itself as the ultimate in wine glasses and now includes more than forty models. Schott Zwiesel, meanwhile, is exploring new avenues. In 2002, it launched a new glass mixture based on Tritan; glasses made from this material are extremely resistant to breakage and dishwasher safe. Both companies offer both hand-blown and machine-made glassware.
We recommend at least five different glasses:
• A thin tulip-shaped glass with a capacity of three to four decilitres for light, acidic white wines, sparkling wines, southern wines and rosés (Chasselas, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Vernaccia).
• A glass with a capacity of five to six decilitres for powerful white wines (over 13% ABV or aged in barrels), as well as light, fine and elegant red wines (Barbera, Swiss Pinot Noir, Tempranillo).
• A glass with a capacity of eight to nine decilitres for all powerful red wines with 13% ABV or more, Bordeaux and Brunellos di Montalcino (Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese).
• For lovers of older vintages from Burgundy and wines made from Nebbiolo such as Barolo and Barbaresco, it is advisable to opt for a large, flared glass (Gamay, Burgundy Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo).
• A small tulip-shaped glass with flared edges and a capacity of two decilitres for spirits.
• A glass with a capacity of two to three decilitres for water, fruit juices and beer.
When it comes to modern-shaped glasses, such as those with a wide base that narrows towards the top, we recommend buying just one and comparing it with the glasses you already own. You will be surprised at how a single wine can reveal so many different facets depending on the type of glass.