Just keep in mind that
wine glasses were not designed to merely impress your guests.
That tall flute glass, for example, not only helps bubbles circulate
in chilled champagne. Its slender stem also allows you to hold
the glass without raising the champagne's temperature.
More science is on the table -- when you consider the interaction of wine and room air. That's right, allowing a wine "to breathe" is not just wine lore. It actually mellows the flavor.
As an example, bold red wines usually require a bit more 'elbow room' in a wider glass with a bigger bowl to help aerate and release its true character.
To prove it, at your next wine tasting party pour a glass of red wine in a small glass, and another in a larger glass, and see the unique difference it makes in your mouth!
While there is a lot of debate over what wine glass best suits a particular wine, these are the classic shapes that have become universally accepted for enjoying the flavor of wine to the fullest:
1. Port, 2. Brandy snifter 3. white wine, 4. red wine, 5. red burgundy,
6. Champagne flute 7. Champagne coupe
Around the Web, learn
more about the purpose of glasses for a variety of wines and champagnes
at top sites featuring expert guides, advice and serving tips, along with fun facts, trivia, and a history of the wine glass...
More information about wine glasses around the Web:
How to Choose Wine Glasses - Get step-by-step instructions from WikiHow for presenting the proper glass along with related tips on cleaning and storage of wine glassware.
Wine
glass - Wikipedia overview with practical advice and information
on their proper use, shape and manufacture with helpful photos,
illustrations and related resources.