You may have often wondered why people are so enthusiastic about utilizing the right wine glass. What’s does it matter if you are sipping your red or white out of a coffee mug or solo cup? Why stick to a certain long stemmed ware when indulging into this blend?
Sure, you can go as far as using a mason jar to drink your wine—if your purpose is to simply get tipsy. However, if your ultimate goal is to get a memorable tasting experience, then realize that certain type of wine glasses work well for certain types of blends.
What’s in a glass? A wine is any other glass is NOT actually as exciting.
Right glass, right wine—this information is not so much about the social-traditional etiquette as much is it about the controlling how you experience all the nuanced flavors.
Anatomy Of A Wine Glass
True appreciation of a wine is about the aroma of the blend. Like inhaling a nice cup of coffee, most of the joy of a wine comes from its scent. The practice of swirling wine around the glass is purposed to release the fragrance of the extract residing within the depths, and that action itself has much to do with the shape of the glass. How does the wine glass work its magic, you ask?
Releasing and collecting aromas
Ever wondered why red wine is typically tipped into a wide-bowled glass, whereas the white ones reside in smaller, slimmer glasses?
An increased surface area optimizes the release of aroma. Red wines are more appreciated for their unique smells, hence the reason for the wider “aroma collecting” bowl of a conventional red wine glass.
Less in the way
The “lips” of a wine glass are distinctively thin. There are different contemplations as to the reason for this, but the general consensus agrees that the svelte, thin-lipped anatomy of a wine glass is to limit “obstruction” during the drinking experience.
Appreciating the curves
Swirling is one of the traditional ‘S’s of wine tasting, given that the surface area of the wine is expanded when the blend is gently thrown against the glass walls.
The “curve” of the glass is a fact to be noted in this matter. A wine glass—wide or slim—becomes narrower at the top. This prevents any spillage during the customary swirl, as well as contains the aroma released in the glass and makes it easier for us to experience the scent.
Want to learn more about why a glass matters? How about trying out a wine tasting?
Artisan Excursion offers exciting wine tours in Santa Ynez Valley regions. Let us take you to wine tastings in the finest wineries and vineyards in Solvang and Buellton, and be the judge of the radical change—as imparted by a wine glass—yourself.
Give us a call at 805-734-7565 to plan a memorable wine tour!