Wine 101

Does glass matter?

Research from Austrian glass manufacturer Riedel suggests glassware can influence the way someone perceives the bouquet and taste of wine. Some factors include how the shape of the glass directs wine to certain sections of the tongue and how the depth of the glass affects how much air is exposed to the liquid before you drink it.

Here are some suggestions for glass shapes that are commonly recommended:

Red wine: Choose a glass with a rim that's narrower than the round, full bowl. Such a glass allows the bouquet to stay in the glass, while letting air mingle with the wine so it can "breathe."
White wine: Select a glass with a tulip-shaped bowl, with the mouth narrower than the bowl and a long stem so the wine stays chilled.
Champagne and sparkling wines: A tall, slender flute keeps the wine chilled longer and shows off the bubbles.

While touring seven vineyards in Niagara's wine region, I learned that many of the region's wine-industry professionals question whether or not the glass in which you serve wine has any effect on the taster's experience. Some believe that the effects of drinking from a nice glass could be psychological, but most agreed that drinking from a nice glass instead of a paper cup simply makes the entire experience more special.